Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare (2010)

Country: USA

Genre: Hard rock, heavy metal, metalcore

Members: M.Shadows - vocals

                Synyster Gates - lead guitar, backing vocals

                Zacky Vengeance - rhythm guitar, backing vocals

                Johnny Christ - bass guitar, backing vocals

                Mike Portnoy - drums (guest)

Website: http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/

On December 28, 2009 James "the Rev" Sullivan (drummer) was found dead at his home at the age of 28. That was a calamity for the band. Nevertheless, AVENGED SEVENFOLD asked DREAM THEATER's drummer Mike Portnoy to fill the gap. The Rev had already played the majority of the drums part in the album and Mike worked on the legacy that James had left behind. The outcome is at least remarkable, Nightmare is to my mind one of the best A7x (AVENGED SEVENFOLD abbreviation) and for sure one of the best releases in 2010. This album has come to take its place amongst other masterpieces of the past, some of which may be "7th son of a 7th son" or "and justice for all". The drums here don't simply accompany the guitars and the whole melody, but they stand out so dynamic. Avenged Sevenfold have decided not to include orchestral parts (like on the previous album), so Nightmare turns out to be much heavier and straighter than the earlier albums. Being Influenced by bands such as IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, GUNS'N'ROSES, A7x recent work is gonna attract far more metal fans to the band. A couple of ballads, the presence of some more powerful songs, the whole atmosphere that Nightmare has created would make the Rev feel thankful and proud of AVENGED SEVENFOLD. This album is set to be a landmark in metal music.

I picked my favourite songs here (tough decision...):

- Nightmare

- Buried Alive

- God Hates Us (maybe the band's heaviest song ever)

- So Far Away (probably dedicated to the Rev)

9.5/10

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