Clearly, Avenged Sevenfold have thrown away the rulebook. With Waking the Fallen, their sophomore effort for Hopeless Records, Aveneged Sevenfold (or "A7X") shatter preconceptions of punk and metal. Guitar World (March 200... more »3) said the band "completely blur the line between metal and punk." The magazine also noted that the band would "be as comfortable on the Ozzfest stage as it is playing punk rock dives" A7X marks the beginning of a bold new direction for punk rock and metal. "At first, we were nervous about working with a producer because we didn't want our song structures changed. We didn't want to be formatted into three-minute, verse-chorus-verse songs. We told Mudrock that we want to sound epic, with big harmonies, have clean-sounding vocals like Iron Maiden's, and then go into heavy stuff like Pantera. We wanted to use all those influences and still make it work."« less
Clearly, Avenged Sevenfold have thrown away the rulebook. With Waking the Fallen, their sophomore effort for Hopeless Records, Aveneged Sevenfold (or "A7X") shatter preconceptions of punk and metal. Guitar World (March 2003) said the band "completely blur the line between metal and punk." The magazine also noted that the band would "be as comfortable on the Ozzfest stage as it is playing punk rock dives" A7X marks the beginning of a bold new direction for punk rock and metal. "At first, we were nervous about working with a producer because we didn't want our song structures changed. We didn't want to be formatted into three-minute, verse-chorus-verse songs. We told Mudrock that we want to sound epic, with big harmonies, have clean-sounding vocals like Iron Maiden's, and then go into heavy stuff like Pantera. We wanted to use all those influences and still make it work."
Absolutely love this CD. It is one of my favorites of A7X...There are only 2 songs on the whole disc I don't like as much as the rest.
CD Reviews
Waking The Fallen
Rebecca Lyle | Garland, Texas United States | 04/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music scene nowadays is very disappointing. There is hardly anything out there that is worth buying anymore. It is very rare that a band comes out that actually impresses me. Avenged Sevenfold has done just that.
I can't get over just how great this band is. They combine elements in rock and metal music to create an assault of razor sharp riffs within a massive wall of sound. The guitarists are the main players on this record. They demonstrate their solo skills with perfection. The lead work is a force to be reckoned with. The song writing is also very interesting. You'll be jamming to an almost black metal assualt of vocals and guitars and it will suddenly turn into a disco beat (Eternal Rest). A lot of these songs hit the six minute mark, but always remain interesting and fun. Do yourself a favor and check these guys out."
Simply one of the great metal albums of all time
zadok7000 | Wilmington, Delaware United States | 02/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Resume:
I have been listening to metal of all kinds faithfully for the past 16 years since I was hooked by Maiden and Metallica. I moved on to Slayer, Dream Theater, Overkill, King's X. Then on to Fear Factory, Paradise Lost, Iced Earth, Therion, Morbid Angel, At the Gates, In Flames, Cradle of Filth, Nevermore, Nightwish, Saviour Machine, Shadows Fall, etc., etc., etc. You get the picture. I played in a band, I have seen dozens of bands in concert, I own over 700 metal CDs, I hosted a metal radio show for 4 years, I have defended modern metal to my (classic rock, stoner rock, top 40, dance, etc.) friends. I am not trying to be holier than thou, MY POINT IS:Review:
"Waking the fallen" ranks up there with whatever your classics are. Period. I'm talking top 5 material. It is a "genre-buster" that is bound to unite fans like Guns n Roses did with AFD or Queensryche did with Mindcrime or Slayer did with Reign in Blood. I had a friend who couldn't stand Queensryche but when asked about Operation:Mindcrime, he said "Awesome, one of the best records ever." This is the type of impact this album can have. As with those 3 examples, where Waking the Fallen ends up on your list depends on your tastes. The first track I heard was "Unholy Confessions" and I loved the Swedish melodic death opening, then was blown away when I heard the clean vocals. By the time the song was 1 minute old, I knew I had to have it. When the punk/pop chorus hit, I knew I was hearing something special. That song continued to weave in and out of genres seamlessly - almost getting better with every second. And when it was over, I had withdrawl. Funny thing is, it turns out to be one of the "weakest" songs on the album! Of course, there are no "weak" songs on it, that is the beauty of a classic - you are excitited to hear each and every track. Every song has at least 5 pallatable metallic influences lovingly executed as Avenged Sevenfold makes a sound totally original. This is the way it happens. Was Lord of the Rings a TRUELY original story? No, Tolkien would be the first to admit it was an amalgamation of his influences. Think "The Sixth Sense" was REALLY original? No, M. Night gives all the glory to Hitchcock. ANYWAY, Waking the Fallen continues to Genesis Chapter 4...oops I mean Chapter 4. :-) Majestic fusion of melodic metal with a rock hard background riff. How cool is the vocal on this track? It's at this point I admit this is too good for words so I just smile and listen. Then there is "Remenissions" and I just laughed. That is all I could do. It was so intensly good I could just laugh at the joy it was providing me. I was thinking "All of sudden they are a black metal band?! Then Sepultura shows up?! And HOLY SHIZZLE what is that acoustic perfection for 20 wonderous seconds?! And KEEP AWAY FROM ME! HELL YEAH! I don't know who I am telling this to, but I agree!" Then it's fast again...it's demonically slow again...it's a Slayer riff...it's a MAIDEN breakdown! Then more fantastic clear singing until the fake out ending where some death metal takes you out. WOW. There is no doubt that is one of the best songs ever written.
This is already too long, so I won't go into detail about the other tracks, except to say everything good you've read about "I won't see you tonight" is true. Is it too much to ask for another masterpiece for your next recordng Avenged Sevenfold???? Please say you can accomplish the near impossible and do it again..."
Classic metal riffs or new hardcore .. these guys are great
zadok7000 | 11/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not a kid, the site won't process the other review form, so I turned to this as an alternative
Avenged Sevenfold is an amazing metal band. They're somewhat nu-metal, with blends of classic metal riffs and mordern harcore. Having said that, Avenged Sevenfolds newest album, Waking the Fallen is ingenious and a clever work of music. Their music is dark, yet uplifting. To give their music that uplifting quality, they obviously have to go emo, but rest assure they stayed away from it. It's a little bit of emo, mixed with some scremo, stirred up just right, so their music can be described as a perfect balance between being to emotional and being too hardcore. They sort of look like the band AFI but rock with the power of Iron Maiden. Don't let their age fool you either, they have very intelligent and mature lyrics. They aren't one of those many bands out there. These guys are unique. Sort of that sweet and sick mix with many bands fail to perfect. Avenged Sevenfold isn't only for metalheads, most of their tracks on the cd can be enjoyed by almost anyone with a good taste for "music" in general. Their lyrics and vocals are poetic and have a deep meaninging within them. These guys are bottom line brilliant !
Let me walk you through the tracks and describe them briefly -:
1. Waking the Fallen - The band starts out this soft, kind of jamming session with ere'ey and suspensful music playing and soft vocals. It impolres the user to "Wake the ones and rise tonight". A perfect setting while going into the fast paced Unholy confessions. Ingenious, and a perfect start off setting ! 10/10
2. Unholy Confessions - One of the best songs in their album. It is an instantly likeable track, and you will get hooked on it almost immediately. It portrays this deep sense of confessions, to a girl with a tinge of screaming vocals, amazing guitars and catchy chorus. 10/10
3. Reminessions 10/10
4. Chapter Four 10/10
These two tracks are probably the most mature songs, each having their own diverse meaning. Reminessions talks about vengence and what the world feels like with that in mind. Chapter Four has some screaming vocals with a great chorus. A very catchy and great song. The drumming and axe playing provides the perfect backdrop for lyrics about desperation, skeletons, murder, vengence. Amazing is a understatement.
5. Desecrate through Reverence 10/10
6. Eternal Rest 8/10
These songs tend to remind me of Killswitch Engage. They are done well, and get right into your face. This is where they get heavy but still put forward the meaningful lyrics.
7. Second Heartbeat 10/10
8. Radiant Eclipse 9/10
Second Heartbeat is an amazing track, starts off with amazing guitaring, and stays in there making it an all out perfect song ! Good vocals find their way through some heavy thrash out music. Radiant Heartbeat, starts out with some good beats, and is a pretty good song, not one of the best in my opnion but still good enough.
9. I Won't See You Tonight Part. 1 10/10
10. I Won't See You Tonight Part 2 10/10
Just when you think these guys are an all out Metal band, this brilliant piece of art comes in. It starts out with very soothing keys played, not to mention so right into place. Then it picks up with some great guitars, still maintaining that emotional atmosphere. The start out of vocals just changes your whole mood if the start music couldn't. It continues through to make it one of the best goddamn song I've ever heard. The song (Part 1) implies to desperation and depression, and the guy pours his heart out. After the 9 minute long part 1 of the song. All the emo atmosphere, drops as Part 2 comes in with some heavy music and screaming vocals. The singer here snaps from all the desperation he put forward in Part 1. This is more like the sick and demented side of him, which came out due to pressures and tention. Together this makes some of the best 14 minutes of metal which anyone couldn't really put forward. The lyrics get you into this deep thought of what is taking place as well.
11. Claivoyant Disease 10/10
12. All the Things Will End 10/10
These tracks bring the disc to an end in the tightest way possible. Claivoyant Disease starts out great and overall makes one of the best songs on the album. These are 2 fast paced songs, implying to the new metal aspect of the genre. Even if they start playing this way now, they have already proved what they are capable off. Whether they choose to have Classical metal rifts or newer hardcore metal, or just stick with the blend, they sound good either way.
Closing Statements : Waking the fallen is their best album so far, and is a great pick up for any music fan.
[...]"
Avenged Sevenfold: THE best new band out there
Reese | SoCal | 05/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Let's get one thing straight - A7X is easily THE best new band to emerge within a few years. I'm a big fan of many bands, but this one just blows them away. I can picture many years in the future, people will look at this album and think, "This is a masterpiece." And it is. This album is right up there with some of the best albums to date, like Rush's 2112, Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast, and AFI's The Art of Drowning. A7X's first cd, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, while an amazing hardcore/metal album, is no comparison to this masterpeice.Comparing the two albums, you may at first like STST more, as the intro to it, To End the Rapture, is amazing. On the other hand, Waking the Fallen (the song), is rather weak. But after the first songs are over, WTF's superiority completely emerges. The second song is Unholy Confessions, a brilliant work of heavy metal art, wich is creepily reminicent of 80's metal. It then goes into Chapter 4, an incredible vocal and instrumental powerhouse. Once you've reached Reminisions, you know this band is simply amazing, because the changes in tempo and volume, the at times extremely heavy and at others light and soft, its just a musical explosion of greatness.Then the album takes a break from the brilliance, and does the song Desecrate Through Reverence. While this song is still great, its no where near the past three songs. But there's no worry, because then you get into one of the best songs on the album, Eternal Rest, which starts out with a CRAZY guitar solo by one of the greatest guitar players of all time, Synyster Gates. The song then slows down into one of the just plain coolest peices of music ever written. Then you get to Second Heartbeat, my personal favorite track on the album. Throughout the first 6 minutes of the song, its just an amazing song, but once you get to the guitar solo at the end, which is possibly THE greatest solo of all time, you're in love.The album then settles down once again with Radiant Eclipse. Like Desecrate, this song isn't an instant favorite. But its still a great song. After this, all of a sudden you hear a piano. And the album goes into a power balad masterpiece called I Won't See You Tonight Part 1. This 9 minute work of art is simply such a great song throughout, its impossible to stop listening. After part 1, it goes into part 2, which is filled with anger, unlike the incredibly sad part 1. But this song is great too, and simply a joy to listen to.After that, it slows things down with Clairvoyant Disease. While this song is a lot slower and softer than a lot of the tracks on this album, its definitely a great song. Then you get to the grand finale, And All things Will End. This song starts out aucustic, then immediatly goes into a great metal song, which like Unholy Confessions, is quite reminiscent of 80's metal. The album ends with a constantly slowing guitar solo by Gates, and you're left incredibly happy.Basically, if you're into metal, this album is a must buy. There's not one bad moment on this cd, absolutely no filler. You can't get much better than this."
Pedal to the Hardcore Metal.
Matt Jacobs | Trumansburg, NY | 04/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What the members of Avenged Sevenfold have crafted here is an incredibly aggressive, loud, and technically impressive album; one that just fills you with energy and makes you want to punt babies over houses. It's quite long, over an hour, but it never lets up.
It starts out with a cool, slow paced build-up of an intro, which leads to a kick-in-the-pants of a first actual song. The singer screams at the top of his lungs as he is supported by pounding drums and bass and killer guitars, and Waking the Fallen never lets up after that. This album is full of great hardcore sounds, especially on tracks like "Eternal Rest"
But the vocalist can do more than just shout himself hoarse, he can also sing, surprisingly. This comes out the most in "I Won't See You Tonight - Part 1", an incredible song that eschews hardcore antics for a beautiful, epic melody with relatively thoughtful lyrics about suicide. The track clocks in at around 9 minutes and is part of a larger 14 minute, 2 part behemoth of a song. Like I said, it's a long album, and if you like this kind of stuff, it is definitely worth it.
Every song on Waking the Fallen is good, but except for a couple like "I Won't See You Tonight", they all sound pretty similar and you can lose track of where one ends and another begins. But if that's something you can handle, you can't get much better metal today. 4.5 stars rounds up to 5."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
Jeff H. from FAYETTE, OH 
