How's this for record-label hype? Warner Bros. claims that City of Evil, the major-label debut from Avenged Sevenfold, bridges "the sonic guitar assault of Iron Maiden with the frenetic pace of Bad Religion and the musicianship of Dream Theater."
Whatever.
Clearly, this tight So Cal band that takes its name from the Biblical story of God's wrath upon Cain for killing his brother Abel ("And the Lord said unto him, 'Therefore whoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.' ") has talent to spare. After all, it's moved past its melodic screamo and post-hardcore roots into sort of a crisp hard-rock/punk hybrid that won over the 2005 Vans Warped Tour crowd. Slash and Dimebag Darrell influenced some of these riffs (and Axl Rose must have made a huge impression on singer M. Shadows). The mid-tempo and surprisingly relevant and introspective "Betrayed" is even dedicated to Dimebag, with a chorus written from the slain guitarist's perspective. Elsewhere, "Bat Country" is a memorable pop-punk scorcher written for Hunter S. Thompson, and the dual guitars on "M.I.A." and the "whoa-whoa-whoa" coda best personify that Iron Maiden comparison. But sorry, Warner Bros., Avenged Sevenfold is no Dream Theater — not even close.
Hype aside, City of Evil is a diverse record that should please the kids and may even find some older fans.
Track Listing:
1) Beast and the Harlot
2) Burn It Down
3) Blinded in Chains
4) Bat Country
5) Trashed and Scattered
6) Seize the Day
7) Sidewinder
8) The Wicked End
9) Strength of the World
10) Betrayed
11) M.I.A.
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