
11 June 2023 – album review by Cody Henderson
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down a stream,
Avenged has a new album out,
Life is but a dream…
In what feels like a prolonged sleep since 2016’s The Stage, the Californian metal 5 piece is back in action. After stating that the new album would never see the light of day until Covid was almost a non-existent thing, we spent many years wondering just how long it would actually be til it would grace our ears. But here we are, in 2023 feeling like it’s 2003 all over again. Waiting to crack open the album and hear Unholy Confessions 2 come exploding out.
But if what you’re expecting from this album is a nostalgia trip or a “return to form”, you may want to skip ahead. Because Avenged Sevenfold never lost their form, they’ve only re-invented the standards. And what they set out to do with Life is but a Dream… is take those standards, dose them up so high on psychedelics that the listener themselves may just feel the high.
But that’s not to say it’s not without its A7X charm that hooked us to begin with. Don’t let the flamenco guitar work introducing the opening track ‘Game Over’ fool you, this is simply setting the dreamscape. Because before you know it, that chaos you want comes rushing in. It’s enough to make you feel like you’re hearing ‘City of Evil’ for the first time. Its fast tempo vocal delivery shows that even in age, vocalist M. Shadows has no intention in slowing down.
Oh and it has a blistering Synyster Gates guitar solo. What more could you want from an intro?
‘Mattel’ is up next and showcases the hard hitting prowess of the ever talented Brooks Wackerman. His strong cymbal work is a true testament to the foundations that fallen founding member ‘The Rev’ set. They’re big shoes to fill, but one of punks most renowned drummers does a fine job at putting his own spin on the metal sound without imitation. The song itself is haunting, transitioning in and out of piano ballads but keeping that signature horror feel the band is known for.
Lead singles ‘Nobody’ and ‘We Love You’ although met with harsh criticism upon release, seem to find their place and identity in the scheme of the album as opposed to being on their own. Both songs present what we have come to love about the band but in a very different format than fans would be used too. I can understand why it would take a few listens for fans to really grasp these songs (I was one of them) but I really love the new direction the band has taken so far.
As we reach ‘Cosmic’ the dynamic has vastly changed. We have come out of the initial rush of the high and have now begun our plateau. ‘Cosmic’ works best when you break it down into chapters. ‘Chapter 1’ feels as if it’s written by Iron Maiden. Its poetic lyrical work is peaked by a guitar driven couple of minutes showing that even in changing things up, you don’t have to forget where you came from.
‘Chapter 2’ really slows us down as we transition into a ballad. Like the tragic moment the protagonist hits their troubles and walks home in the rain, only unpredictable. And as we reach the final chapter, we reach our happy ending! Hearing such a happy, almost heroic progression of music is one of the unusual curveballs from one of metals more moody bands, but hey, we can’t all be moody teenagers forever right? Right???
‘Beautiful Morning’ starts to cap off the back end of the album and boy what a rollercoaster this is. Its continual tempo changes and key changes really capture the entire dynamic of the album I feel. Some of the strongest lyrics are shown here. Although Shadows vocals aren’t the same power infused growls were used too, he’s by no means lost that signature singing voice that’s for sure.
‘Easier’ stands as one of my favourites from the album. A blend of all things new and old school, its groove centric riff work is enough to get the neck moving through the verses whilst incorporating a very synth based chorus. It’s odd use of effects really show just how much Acid was taken to create this album so far. And boy you can feel it.
Have you had enough change of pace yet? Or do you want a prog infused cynical take on gods creation of man? Because that’s exactly what ‘G’ gives you. The first part of a trilogy that feels like it belongs on Rush’ 2112 is not what I had on my 2023 bingo card, but I’m living for it. While the following tracks ‘Ordinary’ and ‘Death’ (where the first letters spell out GOD for those playing at home) don’t hit in the same vain, instead opting for a more funk/disco questionnaire to man’s creation by man himself before ending on a big orchestral finale; this is by far some of the most fun I’ve had listening to Avenged Sevenfold in years.
The albums title track closes out with a beautiful piano instrumental. It lowers the listeners from the high they’ve been on into soft hands ready to wake you up from whatever vivid dream that was.
This isn’t going to be everyone’s favourite record. Some people are going to love it, others will probably despise it.
However, Life is but a Dream is the demonstration of a band that doesn’t want to just be a nostalgia act. It’s by no means their best work, but it’s definitely some of the most interesting and carefully crafted music they’ve ever created.
Rating: 8/10
Song Recommendations: Game Over, We Love You, Cosmic, Easier, G