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I've enjoyed Avenged Sevenfold's albums for at least the past five years and I can confidently say that I am a huge fan. I love their metalcore era, it contained perhaps some of the rawest metal that was on the market at the time with some tight riffs and epic melodies. Then City of Evil came around and introduced a more heavy metal oriented band without screamed vocals and more reliant on musical excellence. This continued through their self-titled record and Nightmare, both which are amazing records in their own rights. I choose to review an album based on it's own merit which is what I will do, I will most likely have to compare it to classic metal legends like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Old-Metallica, and Guns N' Roses because that is what this album envelopes. I will just throw that out there right now, I know I'm contradicting myself but it's inevitable. Hail to the King if one of the finest straight-forward metal records I've heard in a long time. From the bands I listed above, Hail to the King is a combination of The Black Album, Use Your Illusion II, Screaming For Vengeance, and Somewhere in Time. This record is tremendous and is perhaps my favorite record by AX7 but only time well tell for that statement is fickle in its' own right. Here's a song by song review, some track picks, etc.
1. "Shepherd of Fire" 10/10 - Has a tingle of For Whom the Bell Tolls and Enter Sandman but the rawness of Avenged Sevenfold. This opening is tremendous with the inclusion of brass instruments and large to create this epic atmosphere. The song itself introduces a very simplistic drum beat but when done correctly, simplicity is perhaps the most original idea that a band can have. This song displays the potential of this record and basically lays down the foundation for the rest of the record.
2. "Hail to the King" 9.5/10 - The intro riff is so reminiscent of an Iron Maiden song, it's incredible how this record just soars back through time with the intention of introducing an old style with a new sound. This song is the first single, I was fairly impressed with the direction when I first heard it and since then, I've been constantly listening to it. The chorus, my god, replace it with Bruce Dickinson's vocals and you got Iron Maiden. The guitar solo is quite impressive as well.
3. "Doing Time" 9/10 - Is that Guns N' Roses, sounds like it. What a great song, one of the more upbeat songs on the record, it also has this great scream by M. Shadows. It's a very simple song, very straight-forward, the shortest track on the record. It carries so much weight and energy in three minutes, love this song.
4. "This Means War" 10/10 - Sounds like The Black Album, it's 'sad but true'. The riffs are very groovy, so much to love about this song. I absolutely love the composition, it's so simple but so brilliant. It follows a normal song pattern but the addition and subtractions of instruments help to create this epic feeling when the chorus finally arrives. M. Shadows vocals are very powerful on this track and I particularly love the guitar solo on this track. One of my favorites off the record.
5. "Requiem" 10/10 - Some Latin choir chants, some darker guitar tones, and a very groovy beat. This track is absolutely filthy, awesome song. M. Shadows' vocals are so powerful in the 'chorus', the lyrics are very interesting, it's just a great track. The guitar solo sounds like something Kirk Hammett would play except better. Awesome song!
6. "Crimson Day" 10.5/10 - Time for a ballad, reminds me of Metallica power ballads except with much better vocals. This is a beautiful track, the vocals are really the highlight with some beautiful harmonies. The addition of some violins really pulls on the heart strings and not to mention the epic-beautiful guitar solo. One of my favorites!
7. "Heretic" 8.8/10 - This song is very interesting, I wasn't incredibly impressed with it at first because the riff was almost too simple but when I listened to it again, I respected that riff and what it stood for. I hear so many classic bands in this song, it's such a great song. Surprisingly, it might be the weakest track on the entire record but that means absolutely nothing because it's an awesome song. The guitar absolutely raises this song though, it's quite impressive.
8. "Coming Home" 11/10 - This song is literally enveloping Iron Maiden, it's such an amazing mix of music, vocals, and production. The double guitar riffing is very intense, it has a thrashy like verse, it can even be something that Megadeth wrote in their hey-day. The chorus is absolutely the catchiest on the record, amazing song. One of the best, if not the best!
9. "Planets" 10/10 - Another impressive track, this track and Coming Home are perhaps the heaviest tracks on the record but they still carry such a great classic vibe. M. Shadows' vocals are so strong on this track, it's nice to hear some double bass as well. Love the riffs in this song, I can't say anymore cause I'm running out of adjectives.
10. "Acid Rain" 10.5/10 - A ballad as the last song, a piano the reigns throughout the song, it's quite beautiful. I love some orchestra with my Avenged Sevenfold. The guitar solos are very bluesy, very lovely additions to the song. The chorus displays some great vocal strength from M. Shadows, it's one epic song. A great closing song to an incredible album.
I highly recommend this record to anybody who respects music, loves Avenged Sevenfold, and loves classic metal. This record is perhaps the most nostalgic piece of art I've heard since I heard The Darkness' new record. This is going to be on repeat for months. What a tremendous accomplishment! Buy it!
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Reviews with images
A7X on top
High quality’s to be expected of vinyls from A7X but just because it’s the norm doesn’t mean it’s not great. People trash on this album saying it’s unoriginal and that they’re ripping off Metallica without realizing that’s the point. The album is a tribute to 80’s metal so of course it’ll sound like Metallica sometimes. Regardless it’s still a 9.7/10 for me. 3rd or 4th favorite A7X album depending on the day.
Top reviews from other countries
Elliott Majumder
Not the best A7X release, but still a great album
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2024
