When Avenged Sevenfold released the single 'Hail to the King' back in July, its safe to say I was hooked and ready for their 6th studio album. Now, in August 2013, the metal giants are back and here to take the thrown after a 3 year hiatus that they needed. Following the tragic death of drummer and long friend Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan, the band worked hard to release follow up to their critically acclaimed self-titled album and in which they released 'Nightmare'. This was the end of a big chapter for Avenged, they had lost something that meant so much to them but all was not lost.
Following the success of 'Nightmare', the band took time out and now after a 9 month period of writing and recording, 'Hail to the King' hits back and brings back the old school metal with it. With new drummer Aaron Ilejay sitting firmly behind the drums, its fair to say he had some almighty boots to fill and personally, I admire the kid. With the band releasing singles for the Call of Duty games (Not Ready to Die, Carry On) it was here we as fans saw the skills that Ilejay has with the sticks and good lord he is talented.
'Hail to the King' starts with a brilliant opener 'Shepherd of Fire' that just provides the feel to the album. I cannot fault this song which the same can be said for first single 'Hail to the King' as it starts with Synyster Gates providing the tastiest intro to a track you could ever imagine. The entirety of the song brings the 'new sound' that Avenged had teased us with prior stating the album is very blues groove inspired. 'Doing Time' is GnR's to a teat, solo, riff, drums even lead singer M Shadows sounds a tad Axl in this dish.
Now, if you're in a nervous disposition, please, please don't press the play button on 'This Means War'. This for me is a track that blew me away in so many places. I actually think this song is better than sex, no food, no maybe sex.. either way its better than one of those two options. The intro leads you into a false sense of security like watching an X rated movie; the school girl has cheated on her test and now she's been called to see the head teacher and there's talking and there's tut tut's and BOOM, in one swift move the teachers bending her over and spanking her with a ruler. That is literally the opening to this song, trust me. 'Requiem' is one of Avenged's best tracks, hands down. This sums up their new direction in a nutshell. It's angry, it's meaty, it's bloody excellent. The latin chants at the beginning are spooky but Ilejay smashes the drums and we're in, fuel and power. A real head bobber.
'Crimson Day' gives the album its fresh air and you can feel the emotion driven behind it. Very much like previous tracks such as 'Seize the Day' or 'So Far Away'. 'Heretic' has been said that it could have fitted nicely on previous album 'Nightmare' and I do see it, this is the one song on the album that we can see the previous Avenged within it. Its a great track and one that fans who aren't satisfied with this new change will love most. Maiden would have a field day with 'Coming Home' its so Iron Maiden I can hear Bruce Dickinson in Shadows' singing. I can see him running with the union jack flag waving it on stage, this one is a beauty. The penultimate track 'Planets' was said by Shadows to be a very spaced and Darth Vadary track, and I can see Vadar moshing to this (that's a heads up to anyone seeing Avenged this Winter.. get a Darth Vadar outfit and go nuts). The solo in 'Planets' is probably the best on the album, just incredible. And finally, we finish this brilliant album with 'Acid Rain'. This for me is the perfect finale for the album, there's no showing off of what the members can do with insane shredding or drum solo's that will blow your ear drums, its perfect. Think 'Dear God' but with more of a kick, everything in this song is right its a classic ending.
'Hail to the King' shows that Avenged are the same band and yet different. The love that the fans have will not die, I hope. This album will get hate, sure it will. I've already seen some remarks online regarding the change in band, but at the same time, this album will get its love. I personally feel that this is my favourite album by these guys. I grew up listening to the music that they have been inspired by to write this album so its a real treat for my ears. I cant wait to see them in November and hear these songs live. 3 years after 'Nightmare', Avenged have taken the metal thrown and they are King's themselves.
click the link to see the music video for 'Hail to the King'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelhLppPSxY
