{"id":17927,"date":"2013-08-26T23:01:56","date_gmt":"2013-08-26T13:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maytherockbewithyou.com\/mtrbwy\/?p=17927"},"modified":"2013-08-26T23:02:13","modified_gmt":"2013-08-26T13:02:13","slug":"avenged-sevenfold-%e2%80%93-hail-to-the-king","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maytherockbewithyou.com\/mtrbwy\/2013\/08\/avenged-sevenfold-%e2%80%93-hail-to-the-king\/","title":{"rendered":"Avenged Sevenfold \u2013 Hail to the King"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Avenged Sevenfold are back, well they didn\u2019t really go anywhere, but they have had some time off, and this marks their first album in three years and their first completely \u2018Rev-less\u2019 R.I.P\u2026 \u00a0and as sorely missed as he is, the band marches on and in a big way with their sixth album \u2018 Hail To The King.\u2019<\/p>\n

What isn\u2019t missing here is the all but familiar, distinctive vocals of M. Shadows who you immediately identify and like an old friend who\u2019s popped over for a BBQ, you\u2019re happy to see him and welcome him with whatever meat he brought to cook, or weird giant mushrooms if he\u2019s a vegetarian. I digress, what I\u2019m trying to say is that you instantly know this is an A7X record and are hooked first song in, which is \u2018Shepherd of Fire\u2019 and we\u2019re off, all guns blazing, all of them. It\u2019s riff central on this album, and that\u2019s to be expected, in particular the title track which is a song destined to be performed live for, well, ever. It\u2019s powerful and well worth the naming rights of the album, and I loved it so much that I listened to it again before the next track started, yep, winner. Hail to the awesome song!<\/p>\n

Oh man, \u2018This Means War\u2019 could easily be the sequel to Metallica\u2019s \u2018Sad But True\u2019 but it would be called \u2018Sad But Two\u2019 see what I did there? Yeah, I just make this shit up! Man, I tell you what? We\u2019re four songs in and I knew the album would be good, but seriously, I feel like the guys have come out firing and knew they needed to make an album that would stand out, would be full of stand outs, as there hasn\u2019t been a bad track yet. Oh man, another one, \u2018Requiem\u2019 has a somewhat bluesy type feel to it, and lyrically I dig this one, the overall groove to it, melody and even vocal phrasing here is what makes it what it is, oh and not to mention the bitchin\u2019 guitar solo too\u2026<\/p>\n

Just when I think I\u2019m already sold, they throw in a fuckin\u2019 power ballad, and if you know me you all know about my love for a power ballad, so as I sit here typing with one hand and a lighter held aloft, I picture a full stadium with everyone punching the air in delight, well, I see me doing that, but \u2018Crimson Day\u2019 you song, are a winner! The song fades and the crowd (Me) cheers\u2026 oh put the ballad has been dropped and now we just have the power, as \u2018Heretic\u2019 brings back the riffs and the rock and a perfectly structured track. As good as that just was \u2018Coming Home\u2019 is better, with harmony guitars running wild, and a chorus that stands out and is melodic as all get out, solo after solo and wow, this Maiden-esque track is A7X at their best, and this album is just getting better as it goes along.<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t yet made mention of the drums on the album, but will now, as Arin Ilejay has taken the stool and is beating the b\u2019jesus out of the skins and it\u2019s fair to say would make The Rev proud, and a good rhythm section is key, so Johnny Christ on bass is on par here with it all, then you have Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance who have nailed the guitar work and the with all their powers combined, they are Captain Planet, I mean Avenged Sevenfold. This really is a great \u2018band\u2019 of musicians.<\/p>\n

The album has flown, with only two tracks to go, \u2018Planets\u2019 is a groove rocker, more harmony guitars and killer riffs, ahhhh so good! Do I hear strings? Do I? Oh man, it\u2019s almost theatrical! Whoa\u2026 can the last track make this a complete winner? Interesting\u2026 it\u2019s slower, it\u2019s bluesy, it\u2019s \u2018Acid Rain\u2019 and whoa, a different side of M. Shadows vocals here, oh wait, not for long\u2026 there he is. This 6:45 epic is the most diverse on the album yet I\u2019m intrigued to see where it goes. Yeah, check that one out for yourself\u2026 interesting but whoa. The album fades to a storm and star wipe and we\u2019re out\u2026<\/p>\n

Overall, this album is outstanding, well, let me rephrase that, I think it\u2019s outstanding, and I enjoyed every second of it, and for one can\u2019t wait to hear as much of this album as possible at their upcoming Soundwave shows in February! Hail to the Band as I feel they have delivered in a big way! Horns up!<\/p>\n

Essential Information<\/strong><\/h2>\n

From:<\/strong> Huntington Beach, CA, USA<\/p>\n

Produced by:<\/strong> Mike Elizondo<\/p>\n

Release date:<\/strong> 23 August 2013<\/p>\n

Record label:<\/strong> Warner Music Australia<\/p>\n

Website:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.avengedsevenfold.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n<\/strong>Shepherd of Fire
\nHail to the King
\nDoing Time
\nThis Means War
\nRequiem
\nCrimson Day
\nHeretic
\nComing Home
\nPlanets
\nAcid Rain<\/p>\n

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