Would you recommend some good albums? Not too much into Metal but I like listening to music from Avenged Sevenfold, BFMV, Papa Roach and stuff with more singing and less screaming.
This may be the most positive I've ever heard you talk about A7X. To me, this is definitely an album I'm going to have to give a few lessons in order to fully digest and understand.
OffLeatherWings Glad you're being open minded about it. Most people in your position would call it "trash" if it didn't click with them the first time they listened to it.
Dont't bother it's just awfull, I'm a big A7X fan from the beginning but this is just soft BS, every song has some good elements but then they go back to soft and nagging state.. only God damn and The Stage song doesnt dissapoint!
Ive been thinking exactly the same ;D I loved it the first time i listened to it, but afterwards i got really unsure about it because it was SO MUCH to take in haha... But i think a really good album should be like this, i think such albums tend to stay with you for a long time :)
EvilGodXL I was a die hard Avenged Sevenfold fan until Hail to the King which I hated, when I heard this album I found myself hearing it over and over again I fell in love with it and it reminded me of why I fell in love with A7X. So I would say it's different for each fan.
I was blown away by the disc and I 100% did not expect it from this band. I would rate it a little higher than you CKN (91ish) but nonetheless it's fantastic.
I love pretty much every song on there except maybe Roman Sky. I just don't play that song as much as Simulation, God Damn, etc. I love how they took those risks and didn't use any drum samples and voice editing. Brooks did an awesome job, and god Syn just fucking shreds all through out the album. haters miss me with them comments
The Guy Agreed, and after giving this album a lot more listens, I can confirm I now like Roman Sky. Favorites are Paradigm, God Damn and Fermi Paradox.
People don't give Zacky enough credit. Synyster is amazing at what he does, but this album Zacky just nailed the rhythm. Try to imagine a song where the rhythm is as on point as "Creating God"
It's sad to me this is probably their least hyped album even though it's some of their best work. I think it's because it doesn't have the same main stream catchy elements you find in most their singles
Maybe that's a blessing in disguise. Maybe because this album isn't so well received in terms of sales will make people who dislike Avenged Sevenfold as a band and give their other works a relisten. As someone who's been a fan of Avenged Sevenfold for many years, this album drop definitely came to me as a surprise.
I had to give this album a second listen and I winded up loving the album. This is like Christmas time we got a new Korn album and now a new A7X album. I love how they strayed away from their sound and experimented with this album and created an album that's way different than Hail to the King. Keep up the great work on your channel as usual and I'll keep watching your videos😊
I can't say I've ever really been the biggest Avenged Sevenfold fan. I like them well enough, I've just never really listened to a lot of their music. Then I heard Neil deGrasse Tyson was in this. Then I knew I had to buy it. And DAMN. This is a good album! I expected Exist to be the highlight of it for me even if just for Neil deGrasse Tyson alone, but Roman Sky actually ended up being my favorite. But there really is a lot to love in this album!
In the opinions about this album you can definetly see the difference between the indie rock, post hardcore fans who listen to Avenged Sevenfold for their easiest songs and the metalhead fans who appreciate their risks and composition work PD: Theres gonna be mixture, but Im generalizing
It's SO much better than Hail to the King. Hail had it's moments but it felt very standard. This sounds more like A7X going back to their roots and experimenting.
Comparing their previous work to The Stage is like night and day. They explored alot of new stuff that just worked like the fact that it's a concept album.
Fantastic album. I hear a lot of Dream Theater, Korn, Sound Garden elements as well as the classic Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Sabbath styles. This album is jammed pack with nuances. Wackerman delivers a refreshing punk/thrash style. I appreciate the concept behind this album and the main themes throughout. In some way, I think of Pink Floyd's Dark side of the moon with both its message and its spacey/futuristic sounds throughout. Avenged really stepped up with this one. This album is another example of what these guys are capable of.
Thank god, finally I found a positive review for the stage in youtube. Im just sick of some haters who talking shit about a7x without listened any of their songs. Tbh the stage is a fuckin masterpiece! I personally love its creativity and its one of the best albums that a7x created. Thanks for the review man. #subscibed
Dude, you need to get a show on Sirius XM. You're a natural. Good work as always on this. KORN rules and this album sounded very interesting on my first listen and the last track was awesome.
I hear little pieces of David Bowie within this record. An example would be Sunny Disposition and David Bowie's Blackstar. Brass section using atonal like chromaticism and darker scales such as harmonic minor in such a manner, I couldn't help but think of Bowie.
I think that as this disc becomes more exposed, more thoroughly listened to and due time is taken to properly digest, it's going to end up as the pinnacle of their library thus far. SO much better than HTTK. This album delivers on so many different levels. A must have for any collection.
in 2022 this album might be the most well aged album of all time, everything they’ve put into the message of this album has honestly come true and it’s time for the common people to wake up and save ourselves from eternal slavery
Hey fun fact: This album actually isn't done... they have said in interviews that they have SEVEN more official album songs left that will be added in digitally to the record. They will release a new song every few months so in a year this album should consist of almost 20 songs.. ALMOST.. TWENTY.. and not like "oh it's just songs that weren't good enough" nope, they're songs that are meant to be pat of the final cut. This album is far from over, and I hope you can do another review of the entire album once this album is complete in a year or so. Great review btw!
i think you are right with some of this but in the live stream someone in the background said during the line: why dont you get my lawyer on the phone. voltairic oceans out 9 december so i think they will release those 7 tracks than
+Neal Caraballo I heard about that 7 extra songs. why not just release it as a digital EP. I don't see the point in adding them to the album because more material isn't exactly a plus for an album. this things 74 minutes imagine another 7 songs probably around 5 minutes each. I wouldn't sit though that front to back. but that's me. I am glad to hear that there's more songs coming out, just don't see a point in adding them to an album other than to say they did or for the idea of it. doesn't really serve a purpose I guess.
+Dan Burnette Look at Dream Theater, Transatlantic, or look at Pink Floyd's the wall. Longer doesn't mean worse, but it also doesn't mean better. It depends if the artists can pull it off well enough, and if there is one band that can pull this off is Avenged.
+Neal Caraballo well I mean more in like they finished the album, and released it and plan to adding more to it. maybe if it was originally a double album it would have been different but I think put out the best stuff and then maybe release extra tracks on an Ep or something. kind of like Death Magnetic and then release the extra stuff on Beyond Magnetic. I love The Wall, but that's a story and you needed both discs to tell it. I don't know, I bet it'll probably be awesome, but I just don't entirely get why you'd add to it. That might be my opinion though but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
I loved this album. I was blown away and expected much much worse. This album made me fall back in love with A7X. I feel safe in saying "they're back." And damn this was hectic. The guitar work seemed like it had been amped to a higher level than ever before, at least where it counted (solos, etc.) And god dammit, hats off to Brooks Wackerman. He is a genius, I had no idea his technical prowess. As a drummer myself, I was taken aback at his ability to rip where it counted, and hold back when it was tasteful. His compositional ability and groove helped make this album for me.
I was extremely surprised & pleased with this release. 2016 has been a goldmine with so many awesome upcoming bands & some great returns by bands I used to love.
Thank you for the review Mark,89/100 is a very good score.I ordered the album on Amazon and should arrive by tuesday.Can't wait to give it a couple of listens :D
Frederic Vandeputte people order albums online now? I mean, I can understand a special pre-order or something, but when it's already released, just go to a store and buy it.
Frederic Vandeputte damn. Not even a Best Buy or Walmart? I've ordered online before when it's necessary, such as a signed copy of Megadeth's new one, but other than that I try to at least go somewhere like Walmart. I have a local record store that I try to support when I can but they sell out of hot ticket stuff pretty quick sometimes. There's just something rewarding and nostalgic about holding it in your hands the day it's released.
So after several months since the release of the stage, here is my top 5 from this album that I love. 1. Higher - The best damn song on this album. 2. The Stage - Another great fucking song. 3. Paradigm - Reminds me a bit of classic Avenged with a new kick to it. 4. Fermi Paradox - Awesome song that some people underestimate 5. Sunny Disposition - Has some great brass in the chorus. To all that is concerned with my top 5 from this album. it is just all opinions and not really facts. These are just songs that catch my ears the most and interesting to me.
I have been listening to A7X since the release of the Unholy Confessions music video in 2004. I witnessed the stark transition between Waking the Fallen to City of Evil, and every album there since. But for me. even through all of the different sounds A7X have exhibited over the last decade, The Stage feels like their most diverse album. It *is* risky, and it feels so different. Like the vibe of the band has evolved. It's a phenomenal album, and I so look forward to this next new chapter for them. And OP, this was a solid review. You vocalized a lot of the thoughts that I haven't been able to put into words. 89/100 feels about right to me, honestly. I love the album, it's something different, but I'm still learning the ins and outs of the songs. Solid review for a solid album. You gained another subscriber s(^_~)-b
I knew I wasnt the only one who heard Stone Temple Pilots in Creating God! Specifically All in the suit that you wear. Overall this album is up to par with Nightmare and Waking the Fallen for me.
hey ckn in the a7x live stream yesterday matt sounded very much like james labrie from dreamtheater at some points. i think they learn more from dt than most people think
Voltaic Oceans is still a thing and will drop on December 9th. Look at their livestreamed concert before the release of this album. At around 8:52 of the video for it, Johnny Christ says "Voltaic Oceans on December 9th" in the background.
Dorian Arcia It was a joke. Before The Stage was released, Chris Jericho posted a picture of the death bat with "Voltaic Oceans" or something written under it on social media. He then deleted the post a few hours later. It generated hype about the album and got everyone thinking it would be called Voltaic Oceans. It was revealed on Jericho's podcast that the band called him up and told him to do it to troll the fans.
Really loving this album I think they have grown as a band, and currently, songs from this album are playing heavily on my playlist. Most songs on the album take a few listens in order to appreciate, but once you do it sticks to you like glue
Love your reviews, you manage to be hilarious but serious at the same time I don't know how you do it but its hella entertaining to watch and at the same time getting a good ol review vid.
it's so great to see them coming back in full force. i really thought they were just gonna settle for mediocre forever after HTTK, but this album is just fucking fantastic. amazing they came out with this, so much respect for them
The only thing I hated on this record was the production. The album sounds very thin, with no low end at all. And everything sounds quiet (instrumentally) as well. Really made the album more difficult to enjoy for me personally.
I know this comment is years old, but having just listened to the album again, I completely agree. I think all of the music on it is really good - potentially even phenomenal - but the thin production is distracting and takes away from the experience. It might be worth it for them to revisit it and give it a remaster or remix one day.
This album has so many elements it's hard to remember them all other than listening to this album over and over again as it gets better with each listen! I put this album away after my first listen but curiosity brought me back and I'm amazed that I wasn't amazed the first time! Creating God and Higher were the two I liked the most but every single track delivers something new and refreshing! This album is the best in their collection in my opinion!
Hey CKN have you ever reviewed Ember To Inferno by Trivium? If not could you review it when they Re Release it in December. thx and love your reviews man
Horror and Halloween 101 Killswitch Engage,Lamb Of God,Bullet For My Valentine?metalcore is great if you get pass the mainstream trash like Asking Alexandria also trivium isn't anywhere near metalcore
The album is golden, I absolutely love it Musically and skilfully I feel it's their best work, excluding the vocals Matt's vocals are still great but nothing will top his vocals on City Of Evil
I listened to this album for the first time today. I actually didn't realize it was already out. Anyways, this album is nothing like what I thought it was going to be after listening to the self titled track a month ago. I honestly don't know what to think at this point. I heard a lot that I liked but at the same time, heard a lot of things I've never heard before and its going to take some time before I can really give a solid opinion. Thanks for the review CKN, very well done.
Simulation's chorus sounded a bit like Not Ready to Die. I also noticed that near the end of Fermi Paradox, it has the same chord progression as the ending of The Stage, a sort of homage or recreation if you will (something straight out of a Between the Buried and Me album). Also, it's so strange to see an A7X album be longer that BtBaM's longest, Parallax II.
i think you nailed it when you mentioned theirs so much packed in to the album, its great you can go back and listen to it all again and pick up on new things. im a huge fan of the album i find angels a bit weak but simulation is a crazy good song.
Love watching your reviews. You make it pretty fun and energetic while not bashing everything like most reviewers do and kinda explain how to feel about particular songs and structures, elements and themes without throwing them down like facts. Hence my TH-cam name lol. Keep it coming. City of Evil is my favorite album of all time. Didn't leave my cd player in my car for a few years. I first heard Darkness Surrounding and Reminissions first and didn't really know what to think. But it grew on me. My friends were getting pissed that I was always playing Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, but ended up growing on them. That being said, I do miss them being my secret love (dramatic much?) as no one knew who the hell they were before City of Evil. With the stage, the bar was definitely lifted. City of Evil all around favorite. 2 favorite songs being Darkness Surrounding and definitely Buried Alive.. Overall, I place it third after City of Evil and Nightmare as overall albums. Didn't care for Hail to the King, self titled had some awesome songs.. but then some songs that didn't feel that inspired and was scattered. With The Stage.. even the songs I would skip, do have something I like in them. 9/10 for me. The surprise release didn't really surprise me lol. This band is ALL OVER the place with everything. Thanks for your take on THE STAGE.
With every new album these guys drop, I begin to realise that you can't compare any album to another. They are all so different. I'd say the most similar were Nightmare and Self Titled, but even those were different.
I only expected the risks because of the sound clip from the intro of "Exist" that they released several months ago on their website, but if it wasn't for that this album would've been a huge slap in the face
The ride we took on this album is truly something special. I gave it about 3 listens today and man, it is very high up on my list this year. And I definitely believe this will be in contention for Album of the Year.
Great review CKN! I was blown away too. After HTTK i was done with A7X. But now this Album has so much ideas, i wished they would make a full album in the style of "Sunny Disposition". They can go crazy AND can write long songs like Dream Theater. It would be cool, if the next Album would have 5 Tracks, but with 10 - 12 minutes lenght maybe. For me ist really one of the best Albums this year.
I did listen into the album but not fully. After the review I'll go back to listen to it in full. I love AS7, the album didn't grow on me, but I guess I have to really listen to it again and in full, without any skipping. Thanks for the review 👍
Props to you for truly digesting the album and each song. This is a top notch review. Most people hear a song like The Stage, Higher, God Damn, or any other song from the album and say, "This isn't Bat Country or Nightmare, so I hate it." Most people are quick to judge. It's nice to see a person that isn't comparing the album to Waking the Fallen or City of Evil, mainly because each new album is incomparable to the last.
Anyone else think that Voltaic Oceans will be part 2? When they played live the other night during the song "The Stage" Johnny Christ said Voltaic Oceans on December 9...
I didn't expect anything I got except exist, because that was their first teaser that they put out. And even most of that song was completely unexpected
I love this whole album. I also agree Planets absolutely ripped, this new album reminds me of Diamonds in the rough, of course a7x uses actual brass and orchestra, I love the new and old elements theyre bringing together. All the Latin feel too, I love everything about it.
i am constantly replaying the entire album over and over and the more i listen the more i realize that theres just bits and pieces that are pretty much in tune with my taste on music but i can;t believe that i'm trying to convince myself that this is good material made my one of my fav bands and especially by the guitarist syn gates that is, who made me pick up a guitar many years ago and is the king shit to me.WILL A DIEHARD FAN SUCH AS MY SELF EXPLAIN WTF IS HAPPENING AND IF SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TROUGH THIS MISTY SHIT. GOD DAMNNNNN
DiHohentzollern I am a huge fan of a7x and I felt really dissappointed with the new álbum, idk why, cause the álbum is a masterpiece, both drums and guitars are amazing but I dont really feel the songs, you know, I used to hear some a7x song and I loved it in the same moment but I simply cant like this ones, I think now we can very feel the rev's absence
DiHohentzollern Yeah, I am having the same thoughts as you. I really don't like this album. If I wanted more progressive metal, then I would listen to Dream Theater.
They are my absolute favorite band, and I'm SLIGHTLY let down by this record. There are 3 or 4 tracks that I can absolutely do without. Some of these tracks, I will not be able to convince myself that I like it.
I agree with you on 95% of what you said. Thew neoclassical composition style and face-melting solos and riffs pair well with the keys and prog and spacey feel of the album. I knew that they had it in them as it seemed like this type of songwriting is derivative of "Save Me" and "I'm Not Ready To Die". Synester's playing has somehow gotten even better and more articulate and flavorful. I think that "Paradigm" and "God Damn" are some the brutal songs that they needed to give diversity to the album, while referencing Waking the Fallen with the Metalcore style that I really miss from them as well. I can picture myself in the pit with paradigm and god damn because unlike Hail To The King, these songs actually move me; they're not just catchy riffs but emotion and thought provoking as well. Awesome review man, glad I subbed!
The songs of Hail to the King felt overly simple shortly after I first listened. Hail to the King has sat on my shelf for three years and still sits there. The Stage really feels like it has what Hail to the King was missing for me. Killer review!
After going through withdraw due to the end of RUSH I needed Avenged Sevenfold to step up and deliver something to latch on to. The Stage is THAT SOMETHING. Hopefully, they can string together several stellar efforts.
A lot of the songs in the album have that Muse vibe going on, a dash of electronica and space-y sounds. Especially if you listen to the ending of Higher and Exist. It's very fascinating.
great review! love your knowledge and analysis on different albums/different band. very eclectic and unbiased. kudos to you! and I fucking love the album makes me so proud as a fan.
I didn't really understand it the first time, I didn't like the album overall at first, but after reading articles on the meanings behind the songs, I immediately fell in love with it. Such an interesting marketing technique too, dropping an album unexpectadly always grabs attention. Notable tracks have to be Creating God, Paradigm, Simulation and Exist. Honestly the album of the year in my opinion
I haven't listened to the album yet (waiting to buy the physical copy and listen to it all at once), but from what I heard on the song "The Stage", it'll be fantastic. The many, MANY, positive reviews for it support my opinion.
I'll be honest I knew they had this caliber of album in them since City of Evil, however I always wondered if they would make something this good and complex especially after the passing of the Rev.
I really enjoyed this album. I loved the first solos Wackerman's drumming and how they employed all this different styles into the songs. Really solid review.
I loved this album so much, especially the black metal elements, they completely caught me off guard. Plus synysters shredding is just amazing, blew me away. So much feels mixed with shreds! Oh and you should review Heroes of Mighty Magic by Twilight Force!
This year has been really great for the metal fans
streted npt for metal musician tho they only died in 2016
Would you recommend some good albums? Not too much into Metal but I like listening to music from Avenged Sevenfold, BFMV, Papa Roach and stuff with more singing and less screaming.
Night Hawk the new meshuggah, the new ptv, a7x and hopefully the new metallica are my favs so far
Try listening to Periphery
listen to Hellyeah's new album Dream Theaters The Astonishing. and Opeth's Sorceress. you might like them.
This may be the most positive I've ever heard you talk about A7X. To me, this is definitely an album I'm going to have to give a few lessons in order to fully digest and understand.
OffLeatherWings There's just so much in the album it's hard to take everything in the first time
OffLeatherWings Glad you're being open minded about it. Most people in your position would call it "trash" if it didn't click with them the first time they listened to it.
Dont't bother it's just awfull, I'm a big A7X fan from the beginning but this is just soft BS, every song has some good elements but then they go back to soft and nagging state.. only God damn and The Stage song doesnt dissapoint!
Ive been thinking exactly the same ;D I loved it the first time i listened to it, but afterwards i got really unsure about it because it was SO MUCH to take in haha... But i think a really good album should be like this, i think such albums tend to stay with you for a long time :)
EvilGodXL I was a die hard Avenged Sevenfold fan until Hail to the King which I hated, when I heard this album I found myself hearing it over and over again I fell in love with it and it reminded me of why I fell in love with A7X. So I would say it's different for each fan.
I LOVE the chorus of God Damn and that saxophone in Sunny Disposition is ear sex.
hahaha for reals
creating god aswell
higher is just awesome
khalid filali love driving around to that song at night. The drums and the ending just take you to another place
Taj Andreas
yeah exactly
Best review on youtube
+Mazzmer thank you!
He's the best reviewer
Light Of Disaster yes best ive seen on youtube
nah he was the best review on youtube. Totally professional
Mazzmer agreed
I was blown away by the disc and I 100% did not expect it from this band. I would rate it a little higher than you CKN (91ish) but nonetheless it's fantastic.
Revocation!
EXIST IS A F*ING MASTERPIECE!!!
This is a SERIOUSLY good review. Kudos to you, buddy, you gained a subscriber
+randomchicken01 thank ya, welcome aboard!
+coverkillernation so what would you give it out of 30?
I swear, the last combo of songs, starting from "Angels", all the way to the end, its amazing, words cannot describe it
I love pretty much every song on there except maybe Roman Sky. I just don't play that song as much as Simulation, God Damn, etc. I love how they took those risks and didn't use any drum samples and voice editing. Brooks did an awesome job, and god Syn just fucking shreds all through out the album. haters miss me with them comments
Yeah, I think Syn and Brooks did an absolutely amazing job.
The Guy Agreed, and after giving this album a lot more listens, I can confirm I now like Roman Sky. Favorites are Paradigm, God Damn and Fermi Paradox.
Stephen Sturgis Paradigm and God Damn are my favorites.
People don't give Zacky enough credit. Synyster is amazing at what he does, but this album Zacky just nailed the rhythm. Try to imagine a song where the rhythm is as on point as "Creating God"
SniperJoe9 I can definitely agree on that
It's sad to me this is probably their least hyped album even though it's some of their best work. I think it's because it doesn't have the same main stream catchy elements you find in most their singles
Maybe that's a blessing in disguise. Maybe because this album isn't so well received in terms of sales will make people who dislike Avenged Sevenfold as a band and give their other works a relisten. As someone who's been a fan of Avenged Sevenfold for many years, this album drop definitely came to me as a surprise.
They went a whole new direction and I love it, this showcases how amazing musicians they are
I had to give this album a second listen and I winded up loving the album. This is like Christmas time we got a new Korn album and now a new A7X album. I love how they strayed away from their sound and experimented with this album and created an album that's way different than Hail to the King. Keep up the great work on your channel as usual and I'll keep watching your videos😊
I can't say I've ever really been the biggest Avenged Sevenfold fan. I like them well enough, I've just never really listened to a lot of their music. Then I heard Neil deGrasse Tyson was in this. Then I knew I had to buy it. And DAMN. This is a good album! I expected Exist to be the highlight of it for me even if just for Neil deGrasse Tyson alone, but Roman Sky actually ended up being my favorite. But there really is a lot to love in this album!
In the opinions about this album you can definetly see the difference between the indie rock, post hardcore fans who listen to Avenged Sevenfold for their easiest songs and the metalhead fans who appreciate their risks and composition work
PD: Theres gonna be mixture, but Im generalizing
It's SO much better than Hail to the King. Hail had it's moments but it felt very standard. This sounds more like A7X going back to their roots and experimenting.
Comparing their previous work to The Stage is like night and day. They explored alot of new stuff that just worked like the fact that it's a concept album.
Fantastic album. I hear a lot of Dream Theater, Korn, Sound Garden elements as well as the classic Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Sabbath styles. This album is jammed pack with nuances. Wackerman delivers a refreshing punk/thrash style. I appreciate the concept behind this album and the main themes throughout. In some way, I think of Pink Floyd's Dark side of the moon with both its message and its spacey/futuristic sounds throughout. Avenged really stepped up with this one. This album is another example of what these guys are capable of.
Jackson Earl I see a lot of pink floyd in roman sky especially
Now that I've listened to it a couple times this album is really starting to grab me, really is a great step by A7X, some great work.
Yeah same here, took some getting used to, but I think I'm really starting to love it.
Thank god, finally I found a positive review for the stage in youtube. Im just sick of some haters who talking shit about a7x without listened any of their songs. Tbh the stage is a fuckin masterpiece! I personally love its creativity and its one of the best albums that a7x created. Thanks for the review man.
#subscibed
love the ending solo from papa gates on the song angels!!
God Damn and The Stage are great songs!
WesleyAPEX the only 2 I really enjoy on this record unfortunately... this record just doesn’t do it for me. Nightmare was the shit!
Exist was great too
Dude, you need to get a show on Sirius XM. You're a natural. Good work as always on this. KORN rules and this album sounded very interesting on my first listen and the last track was awesome.
This is an amazing album, and especially showcases the insane talent of Brooks Wackerman.
I hear audioslave in the song angels
+Kwame Brown YES! Good call.
Kwame Brown i wanted to say that
I hear little pieces of David Bowie within this record. An example would be Sunny Disposition and David Bowie's Blackstar. Brass section using atonal like chromaticism and darker scales such as harmonic minor in such a manner, I couldn't help but think of Bowie.
Good observation my friend, brilliant album overall.
I think that as this disc becomes more exposed, more thoroughly listened to and due time is taken to properly digest, it's going to end up as the pinnacle of their library thus far. SO much better than HTTK. This album delivers on so many different levels. A must have for any collection.
in 2022 this album might be the most well aged album of all time, everything they’ve put into the message of this album has honestly come true and it’s time for the common people to wake up and save ourselves from eternal slavery
Hey fun fact: This album actually isn't done... they have said in interviews that they have SEVEN more official album songs left that will be added in digitally to the record. They will release a new song every few months so in a year this album should consist of almost 20 songs.. ALMOST.. TWENTY.. and not like "oh it's just songs that weren't good enough" nope, they're songs that are meant to be pat of the final cut. This album is far from over, and I hope you can do another review of the entire album once this album is complete in a year or so. Great review btw!
i think you are right with some of this but in the live stream someone in the background said during the line: why dont you get my lawyer on the phone. voltairic oceans out 9 december so i think they will release those 7 tracks than
+Thom Bakker I want to believe what you just wrote was understandable.. I want to.. deep down in my heart.. I do..
+Neal Caraballo I heard about that 7 extra songs. why not just release it as a digital EP. I don't see the point in adding them to the album because more material isn't exactly a plus for an album. this things 74 minutes imagine another 7 songs probably around 5 minutes each. I wouldn't sit though that front to back. but that's me. I am glad to hear that there's more songs coming out, just don't see a point in adding them to an album other than to say they did or for the idea of it. doesn't really serve a purpose I guess.
+Dan Burnette Look at Dream Theater, Transatlantic, or look at Pink Floyd's the wall. Longer doesn't mean worse, but it also doesn't mean better. It depends if the artists can pull it off well enough, and if there is one band that can pull this off is Avenged.
+Neal Caraballo well I mean more in like they finished the album, and released it and plan to adding more to it. maybe if it was originally a double album it would have been different but I think put out the best stuff and then maybe release extra tracks on an Ep or something. kind of like Death Magnetic and then release the extra stuff on Beyond Magnetic. I love The Wall, but that's a story and you needed both discs to tell it. I don't know, I bet it'll probably be awesome, but I just don't entirely get why you'd add to it. That might be my opinion though but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
I heard alot of Alice in chain in creating god honestly.
Yeah, I hear alot of Alice in Chains too
because their producer also produced alice in chains and few others
I loved this album. I was blown away and expected much much worse. This album made me fall back in love with A7X. I feel safe in saying "they're back." And damn this was hectic. The guitar work seemed like it had been amped to a higher level than ever before, at least where it counted (solos, etc.) And god dammit, hats off to Brooks Wackerman. He is a genius, I had no idea his technical prowess. As a drummer myself, I was taken aback at his ability to rip where it counted, and hold back when it was tasteful. His compositional ability and groove helped make this album for me.
I was extremely surprised & pleased with this release. 2016 has been a goldmine with so many awesome upcoming bands & some great returns by bands I used to love.
Thank you for the review Mark,89/100 is a very good score.I ordered the album on Amazon and should arrive by tuesday.Can't wait to give it a couple of listens :D
Frederic Vandeputte people order albums online now? I mean, I can understand a special pre-order or something, but when it's already released, just go to a store and buy it.
i don't have music stores where i live,yeah it sucks i know :)
Frederic Vandeputte damn. Not even a Best Buy or Walmart? I've ordered online before when it's necessary, such as a signed copy of Megadeth's new one, but other than that I try to at least go somewhere like Walmart. I have a local record store that I try to support when I can but they sell out of hot ticket stuff pretty quick sometimes. There's just something rewarding and nostalgic about holding it in your hands the day it's released.
I live in a small city in Belgium,we have music stores but they are far from where i live so my best option is to order my cd's online ;-)
+MrMrtommy54321 I'm talking about big cities like Brussels,Kortrijk,Gent,Antwerpen and Brugge.Those have definitely music stores
I'm loving the album. They took some risks and it's a breath of fresh air.
So after several months since the release of the stage, here is my top 5 from this album that I love.
1. Higher - The best damn song on this album.
2. The Stage - Another great fucking song.
3. Paradigm - Reminds me a bit of classic Avenged with a new kick to it.
4. Fermi Paradox - Awesome song that some people underestimate
5. Sunny Disposition - Has some great brass in the chorus.
To all that is concerned with my top 5 from this album. it is just all opinions and not really facts. These are just songs that catch my ears the most and interesting to me.
I have been listening to A7X since the release of the Unholy Confessions music video in 2004. I witnessed the stark transition between Waking the Fallen to City of Evil, and every album there since. But for me. even through all of the different sounds A7X have exhibited over the last decade, The Stage feels like their most diverse album. It *is* risky, and it feels so different. Like the vibe of the band has evolved. It's a phenomenal album, and I so look forward to this next new chapter for them.
And OP, this was a solid review. You vocalized a lot of the thoughts that I haven't been able to put into words. 89/100 feels about right to me, honestly. I love the album, it's something different, but I'm still learning the ins and outs of the songs. Solid review for a solid album. You gained another subscriber s(^_~)-b
My fav metal band of the 21st century is back
I knew I wasnt the only one who heard Stone Temple Pilots in Creating God! Specifically All in the suit that you wear. Overall this album is up to par with Nightmare and Waking the Fallen for me.
+aquaagu2 a little of that and some Sex Type Thing in the verses.
+aquaagu2 or even Unglued.
Exactly. And the chorus also reminds me of the song Epic by Faith no More.
aquaagu2 the lead riff reminded me of early Alice in Chains
i love it! I love it all! Avenged is doing awesome things; things only they really wanna do
holy crap bro so much energy, never boring when I watch any of your videos
this is a masterclass rock album and really shows the true talent and songwriting potential these guys have, phenomenal record.
hey ckn in the a7x live stream yesterday matt sounded very much like james labrie from dreamtheater at some points. i think they learn more from dt than most people think
So far, I love Roman Sky, The Stage, Sunny Disposition, God Damn, Creating God, Exist, and Simulation. The weakest song is probably Angels.
Joao Loureiro Angels is definitely the weakest. Album is solid though !
Even then I still love Angels.
angels is definitely not the weakest song in this, y'all crazy lol
Creating God is the shittiest of the album so far.
pantera141000 Why do you say that?
Fuck yeah CoverKiller you always kill it!! Can't wait to hear the album!
The most refreshing album of the year... And provably from a long time
Voltaic Oceans is still a thing and will drop on December 9th. Look at their livestreamed concert before the release of this album. At around 8:52 of the video for it, Johnny Christ says "Voltaic Oceans on December 9th" in the background.
Dorian Arcia in their AMA the other day on Reddit they (Syn and/or shadows) said it was a red herring. Sorry.
J. Stoneman Of course they'll say it. They won't reveal it until December.
Dorian Arcia yea lol howd that go
Dorian Arcia It was a joke. Before The Stage was released, Chris Jericho posted a picture of the death bat with "Voltaic Oceans" or something written under it on social media. He then deleted the post a few hours later. It generated hype about the album and got everyone thinking it would be called Voltaic Oceans. It was revealed on Jericho's podcast that the band called him up and told him to do it to troll the fans.
Really loving this album I think they have grown as a band, and currently, songs from this album are playing heavily on my playlist. Most songs on the album take a few listens in order to appreciate, but once you do it sticks to you like glue
i love how they put a wizard of ozz in simulation.
"toto has pulled back the green tonight"
the album is fucking great, totally enjoyed every bit of it
I like how you analyze track placement on the record. I never stopped to think about that one.
Love your reviews, you manage to be hilarious but serious at the same time I don't know how you do it but its hella entertaining to watch and at the same time getting a good ol review vid.
Just listened to Creating God and you were spot on with the STP reference. It just became one of my favorite songs on the album.
it's so great to see them coming back in full force. i really thought they were just gonna settle for mediocre forever after HTTK, but this album is just fucking fantastic. amazing they came out with this, so much respect for them
When I heard it came out today I was shocked! Totally didn't expect it.
the stage is easily my favorite A7x album.
The only thing I hated on this record was the production. The album sounds very thin, with no low end at all. And everything sounds quiet (instrumentally) as well. Really made the album more difficult to enjoy for me personally.
I know this comment is years old, but having just listened to the album again, I completely agree. I think all of the music on it is really good - potentially even phenomenal - but the thin production is distracting and takes away from the experience. It might be worth it for them to revisit it and give it a remaster or remix one day.
Dude this review is sick, you talk with a very nice knowledge and it´s nice to hear how you analyse this album, nice job!
This is easily my favorite avenged sevenfold album and I have been a fan of avenged sevenfold since city of evil.
Great review man! You keep it very realistic! Keep doing what you do!
This album has so many elements it's hard to remember them all other than listening to this album over and over again as it gets better with each listen! I put this album away after my first listen but curiosity brought me back and I'm amazed that I wasn't amazed the first time! Creating God and Higher were the two I liked the most but every single track delivers something new and refreshing! This album is the best in their collection in my opinion!
Hey CKN have you ever reviewed Ember To Inferno by Trivium? If not could you review it when they Re Release it in December. thx and love your reviews man
Stephen Sturgis idk if you really want that lol. he constantly shits on trivium
Dumi: really? Trivium is one of the only great metalcore bands.
Horror and Halloween 101 Killswitch Engage,Lamb Of God,Bullet For My Valentine?metalcore is great if you get pass the mainstream trash like Asking Alexandria also trivium isn't anywhere near metalcore
Cory Banks Lamb of God is NOT Metalcore
Cory Banks asking's first record was funny, and from death to destiny had really cool vocals, over-production aside.
The album is golden, I absolutely love it
Musically and skilfully I feel it's their best work, excluding the vocals
Matt's vocals are still great but nothing will top his vocals on City Of Evil
The album sounds like a Brooks Wackerman drum clinic.
I listened to this album for the first time today. I actually didn't realize it was already out. Anyways, this album is nothing like what I thought it was going to be after listening to the self titled track a month ago. I honestly don't know what to think at this point. I heard a lot that I liked but at the same time, heard a lot of things I've never heard before and its going to take some time before I can really give a solid opinion.
Thanks for the review CKN, very well done.
Simulation's chorus sounded a bit like Not Ready to Die. I also noticed that near the end of Fermi Paradox, it has the same chord progression as the ending of The Stage, a sort of homage or recreation if you will (something straight out of a Between the Buried and Me album). Also, it's so strange to see an A7X album be longer that BtBaM's longest, Parallax II.
i think you nailed it when you mentioned theirs so much packed in to the album, its great you can go back and listen to it all again and pick up on new things. im a huge fan of the album i find angels a bit weak but simulation is a crazy good song.
Some of the best and creative drumming I’ve ever heard, and also synester Gates best guitar work
Love watching your reviews. You make it pretty fun and energetic while not bashing everything like most reviewers do and kinda explain how to feel about particular songs and structures, elements and themes without throwing them down like facts. Hence my TH-cam name lol. Keep it coming. City of Evil is my favorite album of all time. Didn't leave my cd player in my car for a few years. I first heard Darkness Surrounding and Reminissions first and didn't really know what to think. But it grew on me. My friends were getting pissed that I was always playing Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, but ended up growing on them. That being said, I do miss them being my secret love (dramatic much?) as no one knew who the hell they were before City of Evil. With the stage, the bar was definitely lifted. City of Evil all around favorite. 2 favorite songs being Darkness Surrounding and definitely Buried Alive.. Overall, I place it third after City of Evil and Nightmare as overall albums. Didn't care for Hail to the King, self titled had some awesome songs.. but then some songs that didn't feel that inspired and was scattered. With The Stage.. even the songs I would skip, do have something I like in them. 9/10 for me. The surprise release didn't really surprise me lol. This band is ALL OVER the place with everything. Thanks for your take on THE STAGE.
With every new album these guys drop, I begin to realise that you can't compare any album to another. They are all so different. I'd say the most similar were Nightmare and Self Titled, but even those were different.
I only expected the risks because of the sound clip from the intro of "Exist" that they released several months ago on their website, but if it wasn't for that this album would've been a huge slap in the face
i love ur reviews man and basically watch every single one, thankyou sir :)
i feel like the stage what a little piece of heaven would sound like if it was an album, just my 2cents tho
The ride we took on this album is truly something special. I gave it about 3 listens today and man, it is very high up on my list this year. And I definitely believe this will be in contention for Album of the Year.
Great review CKN! I was blown away too. After HTTK i was done with A7X. But now this Album has so much ideas, i wished they would make a full album in the style of "Sunny Disposition". They can go crazy AND can write long songs like Dream Theater. It would be cool, if the next Album would have 5 Tracks, but with 10 - 12 minutes lenght maybe. For me ist really one of the best Albums this year.
I did listen into the album but not fully. After the review I'll go back to listen to it in full. I love AS7, the album didn't grow on me, but I guess I have to really listen to it again and in full, without any skipping. Thanks for the review 👍
Props to you for truly digesting the album and each song. This is a top notch review. Most people hear a song like The Stage, Higher, God Damn, or any other song from the album and say, "This isn't Bat Country or Nightmare, so I hate it." Most people are quick to judge. It's nice to see a person that isn't comparing the album to Waking the Fallen or City of Evil, mainly because each new album is incomparable to the last.
great review brother. you have a new subscriber
Anyone else think that Voltaic Oceans will be part 2? When they played live the other night during the song "The Stage" Johnny Christ said Voltaic Oceans on December 9...
Awesome review! subscribed!
tha stage>hail to the king!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the review of Exist and the commentary afterward. I was cracking up laughing.
I didn't expect anything I got except exist, because that was their first teaser that they put out. And even most of that song was completely unexpected
I love this whole album. I also agree Planets absolutely ripped, this new album reminds me of Diamonds in the rough, of course a7x uses actual brass and orchestra, I love the new and old elements theyre bringing together. All the Latin feel too, I love everything about it.
i am constantly replaying the entire album over and over and the more i listen the more i realize that theres just bits and pieces that are pretty much in tune with my taste on music but i can;t believe that i'm trying to convince myself that this is good material made my one of my fav bands and especially by the guitarist syn gates that is, who made me pick up a guitar many years ago and is the king shit to me.WILL A DIEHARD FAN SUCH AS MY SELF EXPLAIN WTF IS HAPPENING AND IF SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TROUGH THIS MISTY SHIT. GOD DAMNNNNN
DiHohentzollern I am a huge fan of a7x and I felt really dissappointed with the new álbum, idk why, cause the álbum is a masterpiece, both drums and guitars are amazing but I dont really feel the songs, you know, I used to hear some a7x song and I loved it in the same moment but I simply cant like this ones, I think now we can very feel the rev's absence
DiHohentzollern Yeah, I am having the same thoughts as you. I really don't like this album. If I wanted more progressive metal, then I would listen to Dream Theater.
They are my absolute favorite band, and I'm SLIGHTLY let down by this record. There are 3 or 4 tracks that I can absolutely do without. Some of these tracks, I will not be able to convince myself that I like it.
what the fuck are you guys smoking?
Keith Goodman Opinion crack
I agree with you on 95% of what you said. Thew neoclassical composition style and face-melting solos and riffs pair well with the keys and prog and spacey feel of the album. I knew that they had it in them as it seemed like this type of songwriting is derivative of "Save Me" and "I'm Not Ready To Die". Synester's playing has somehow gotten even better and more articulate and flavorful. I think that "Paradigm" and "God Damn" are some the brutal songs that they needed to give diversity to the album, while referencing Waking the Fallen with the Metalcore style that I really miss from them as well. I can picture myself in the pit with paradigm and god damn because unlike Hail To The King, these songs actually move me; they're not just catchy riffs but emotion and thought provoking as well. Awesome review man, glad I subbed!
I love how much I notice that they are channeling the REV in what they are writing. Almost like he is still in the band. He's still here.
Love this album! In my top 10 from 2016 ..Great review
Never paid any attention to these guys till now
The songs of Hail to the King felt overly simple shortly after I first listened. Hail to the King has sat on my shelf for three years and still sits there. The Stage really feels like it has what Hail to the King was missing for me. Killer review!
After going through withdraw due to the end of RUSH I needed Avenged Sevenfold to step up and deliver something to latch on to. The Stage is THAT SOMETHING. Hopefully, they can string together several stellar efforts.
This is a amazing review my dude keep it up. Simulation like you said reminds me very much of that classic Megadeth sound during the break down.
Very honest opinion on metal and so on bud good job not everyone who reviews albums has ears to hear everything bands have to offer
A lot of the songs in the album have that Muse vibe going on, a dash of electronica and space-y sounds. Especially if you listen to the ending of Higher and Exist. It's very fascinating.
great review! love your knowledge and analysis on different albums/different band. very eclectic and unbiased. kudos to you!
and I fucking love the album makes me so proud as a fan.
I didn't really understand it the first time, I didn't like the album overall at first, but after reading articles on the meanings behind the songs, I immediately fell in love with it. Such an interesting marketing technique too, dropping an album unexpectadly always grabs attention. Notable tracks have to be Creating God, Paradigm, Simulation and Exist. Honestly the album of the year in my opinion
I haven't listened to the album yet (waiting to buy the physical copy and listen to it all at once), but from what I heard on the song "The Stage", it'll be fantastic. The many, MANY, positive reviews for it support my opinion.
I'll be honest I knew they had this caliber of album in them since City of Evil, however I always wondered if they would make something this good and complex especially after the passing of the Rev.
Roman Sky is fucking beautiful!
I really enjoyed this album. I loved the first solos Wackerman's drumming and how they employed all this different styles into the songs. Really solid review.
Wow, Just wow, I really love this album! great review too.
I loved this album so much, especially the black metal elements, they completely caught me off guard. Plus synysters shredding is just amazing, blew me away. So much feels mixed with shreds! Oh and you should review Heroes of Mighty Magic by Twilight Force!
Can you please make a video why people hate Cradle Of Filth?
the more I listen the I LOVE this album!!!
1. city of evil
2. waking the fallen
3.Avenged sevenfold
4.Nightmare
5.The stage
6.sounding the seven thrumpet
7.Hail to the king
Creating God (the chorus) reminds me of Faith no More-esque