new Avenged Sevenfold album 'Life Is But A Dream' broke me... | Album Reaction

[@RIPJimmyA7X]

This album is what happens when an extremely talented group of individuals get bored making the same stuff and say F it and chuck everything at a wall and it somehow works decently lol. Its definitely not going to hit for everyone but its really grown on me the more i listen.

[@Geetarman69420]

Yeah, after like 2-3 listens it really hit me hard

[@anthonymonterosso7472]

Architects did exactly this and I feel like Architects came out much weaker and generic (imo) and it made me really sad because they were my favorite band

[@_devote]

im going back to waking the fallen

[@commander_eaa2862]

they sometimes feel like the Tally Hall of metal

[@adub3944]

no, extremely talented yes. but sounding the seventh trumpet, waking the fallen, city of evil were them chucking it together. they were young. young albums from amazing groups are usually the "best" but even the band have said they were mashing buttons on those first three albums haha. this album is a mature version of what ART looks like. It is so fucking good. lets be real. i mean all their albums are good from a7x hahaha the rev wasnt even trying when they recorded blinded in chains but its considered one of the most difficult songs to play! love these fuckers.

[@Sacred_Silence]

First listen was weird, but I love this album. Mattel is by far, my favorite song on this album. Game Over is second fav. Cosmic and Nobody are also pretty epic. We Love You grew on me.

[@theRevVA32]

I agree on those and actually Beautiful Morning is quickly riding towards the top for me. I think it's cool that Syn got to sing the one section. Especially because it was some kinda thing between him and The Rev.

[@theRevVA32]

Rising* stupid autocorrect

[@yog.nathan]

we love you is my #1 on the whole album with beautiful morning, G, and easier following close behind

[@PiizzaTime]

@@theRevVA32Beautiful morning is one of the best songs on the album imo, it has a really good Alice in Chains sound to it

[@hektorlinko]

Same here.

[@killerkite333]

I am obsessed with it since the release. I heard the first 2 singles and was confused and thought it was just them having a pretentious take of prog but the whole album was all over the place yet knitted tightly and they were not afraid of showing their influences all throughout the genre of music. It also has a great replay value.

[@teeveekeewee2184]

Idk about replay value so much (even tho I’ve done 2 listens and the singles I like a lot) but as for the point of the whole album , I think this was them just trying to figure out what can they do that will and won’t work for them in the future. Maybe they just fucking hate the sound a guitar makes so they are punishing it and us with random sounds who knows lmao

[@MantasticHams]

@@teeveekeewee2184 Eh, if they were punishing guitar sounds, they wouldn't have the tone of mid-tier 00's thrash...

[@killerkite333]

@@teeveekeewee2184 Heard a dozen of experimental albums and most of the time it's either a hit or miss and this one surprised me since it only took 1 listen to enjoyed it despite being indifferent to the first singles. Anyways, all I care is that I enjoyed the album.

[@user-zx1ur]

​@@MantasticHams00s thrash? Autistic delulu opinion

[@Triviumx17]

“wHy DiD tHeY nOt MaKe An aLbUm LiKe NiGhTmAre?” What’s fun with making the same stuff? Loving this album

[@dominicklos9532]

That's what I'm saying

[@MantasticHams]

The same stuff is bad. Good stuff is good. But, and i must emphasize this: Bad stuff IS actually bad. New stuff is not better jsut cause its new.

[@matthewmanning8413]

Nightmare was there it started to go wrong, it was downhill after City of Evil

[@jaredblack2674]

@@dominicklos9532 id still like at least one more brutually heavy album before it’s too late

[@dominicklos9532]

@@jaredblack2674 I totally agree, it sadly seems as time goes the chances and talent disappears for the brutality and hardcore shit, but maybe Avenged's vision took a turn? I think it would be cool to see like another Waking the Fallen though, it seems like Matt still has those post scream vocals on point.

[@diazzsama]

Man I love this album. They throw everything they've ever wanted.

[@wallysnakes2690]

the vocals still sound awful though.

[@wallysnakes2690]

@@cypherpunk0124 this is the worst album in the past 10 years. talk to a wall

[@user-zx1ur]

​@@wallysnakes2690It simply means that you cannot sing or are deaf/dumb. This vocalist has acquired a real technicality that he previously lacked. Despite throat surgery.

[@wallysnakes2690]

@@user-zx1ur this is by far the worst hes ever sounded

[@user-zx1ur]

​@@wallysnakes2690gonna cry?

[@taylorcarroll5608]

If people would stop expecting them to release another “Bat Country” …. They could actually appreciate this album. It’s so good 😭😭😭

[@MantasticHams]

Nah.

[@dylanmunguia8535]

Yep

[@sykoh2316]

Bat Country was not even good tho

[@taylorcarroll5608]

@@sykoh2316 Everyone has their own opinions. I used Bat Country as an example because of how many streams it has and I have seen many many comments saying “just stick to playing bat country”

[@blackblur]

When you watch the Bat Country breakdown even Shadows is sitting there listening to individual parts and saying “what were we even thinking? Whatever we did at least it worked out.” They’ve musically matured not just levels, or years, they’ve transcended the WtF/CoE/White Album era by galaxies beyond. They couldn’t write another Bat Country even if they tried.

[@DF_UniatePapist]

In my opinion this is the best album they’ve ever made. I can completely understand why some hate this album, but I for one love it

[@AuroraHumanista]

Same for me, Avenged and all metal core scene was a big thing for me in my late teens. But it's something that now, I can't listen to anymore, it sounds childish to me musically. This CD is a fresh breeze, it's brave and manages to express the proposed theme with mastery. I am very happy that I can listen to A7x again and really enjoy it.

[@am45_001]

It's definitely not something most people would really get on their first listen, but it grows a lot on further playbacks

[@_devote]

nuh uh im going back to waking the fallen and city of evil

[@ernestorodriguez5117]

This is my favorite album too, but is not the best. I think their best album, the one where them grow to it's best version, is Nightmare (imo)

[@DavidJones-in3vb]

@@ernestorodriguez5117I agree! I LOVE this album but Nightmare was definitely their best lyrically and musically.

[@johnedwards2106]

It took a minute but by the 3rd listen it hit me......DAMN THIS IS A GOOD ALBUM!

[@danoelker1144]

Took me only 2 listens but damn nobody took me 5 listens . I love this album it’s up in my top 3

[@MICUEVA88]

Me too bro , I don’t get the hate, this is just amazing

[@johnedwards2106]

I know why freddy.......people are super dumb

[@jrk10]

I absolutely adore this album and I’m sorry others didn’t hear it the same as me it’s amazing

[@Mapuia729]

I liked every Avenged album except The Stage

[@jrk10]

@@Mapuia729 the stage is tied with this for the best imo both perfect to me

[@Straw_Breaker]

I’m not sure where I rank this yet but The Stage is my personal favorite A7X album with Nightmare being a close second

[@Nutty31313]

@@Mapuia729 The Stage slapped. I like it more than WtF, Self-Titled or Nightmare. Not sure if I like it more than CoE though. LibaD on the other hand, I quite like it, but I don't think it's one of their best albums. Some of the songs are great, but while I wouldn't call Easier or the GOD trilogy bad by any means, they're not really to my taste of music.

[@mattw8814]

I love this album, the only one i dislike is HTTK not because i think it's bad or anything but i just don't find it very engaging

[@kipris1993]

Man, it's like people forget that people in bands can be, in essence, wacky, experimental, artistic, and expressive. When I sit to listen to their discography, it's super nice to see the change in music expression and influence. They went from metalcore rawr band, to jocks, to shredders,to stadium band, to prog metal and then to this. I love the stability and marginal progress and evolution bands like Trivium and ABR are producing, but this is different. And in the grand scheme of things , this is not even incredibly avant garde. People need to chill.

[@MantasticHams]

No, tis not like that, its like people who love experimental music are trying to tell people "Experimental music is often much, MUCH better than this" and A7X fans are saying "You guys, its like this band invented a whole new genre of amazing, and its gonna blow everyones minds, unles they r BB and dont like hevvy metull moozik"

[@joewhitedrums1714]

What you’ve got to understand about avenged is they’re one of the only big bands who isn’t trying to sell out commercially. This album is nothing like anyone has ever heard before. It has influencies from so many different genres, we all (as A7x fans) got the jist that they were going to go Down the more proggy route after the stage. They are never going to replicant waking the fallen and we have to respect that. Syn Gates orchestrated this whole album they’re just trying to break the mould. This album is nothing we’ve ever heard before. Yes there’s songs we won’t like but the composition of each song is unbelievable in musical terms.

[@microondasletal]

Exactly. I can see so much inspiration from bands like Daft Punk, Dream Theater, Snarky Puppy, Yes, early Genesis... maybe even Puscifer! So much to digest, but it's so clear what they've tried to do in each section of each song. It's not just "trying to be different for the sake of being different", like many are saying. Everything that's in has been included for a reason. They are including many different concepts but in a way that makes sense, and still following the more typical song structures.

[@gabadaba5436]

I found it kinda fun to watch chat give every song either a 3 or under or a 7 or higher, with almost no in between. Also, what this really proves to me is how much understanding the songs, and the idea behind the album, helps you enjoy it, at least for me.

[@noacog4u320]

What was the idea behind the album?

[@gabadaba5436]

@noacog4u it's an analysis of life and death, each song taking a different perspective on an aspect of life or death. For instance, Game Over is about having a midlife crisis and realizing you've done almost nothing in life, and Nobody is about someone having an out of body, ego death experience, and realizing they're just one tiny part of everything, and not truly an individual. But you may get something different out of the songs when you listen to them. It's not like there's a single interpretation.

[@mattmakuta]

I enjoy a good amount of the record, especially Cosmic and the back half. The problem I have are all the drop g# chugfest metal, metalcore, and deathcore purists calling it shit because they actually tried something bold. These are the same dudes who eat up anything Wage War, Polaris, Sleep Token, etc. release. Meanwhile, these guys put out an album that is a mix of Sinatra, Pink Floyd, Daft Punk, Kanye, older A7X, and a number of other artists, but some people are just writing it off because it’s different, uncomfortable at first, and not what they expected. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it, but half of the haters aren’t even giving it a chance. I listen to just about everything I can, and metal fans are undoubtedly the most close minded fan base of them all, which is why we’re stuck with so many boring ass artists in the genre who, when they eventually make a change, basically always go pop or butt rock. Also, anyone saying the mix sucks does not know music. I’d give it like a 3.5/5 after like four listens. The stand outs are Cosmic and (D)eath for me. (O)rdinary is also a cool funk song.

[@deltasemple383]

The album is heavily inspired by mr bungle and daft punk

[@MadailinBurnhope]

you hadn't even heard of Sleep Token 6 weeks ago

[@mattmakuta]

@@MadailinBurnhopeirst sleep token song I heard was the offering, so nah. Didn’t really give them a full listen until 2021 though. They got some decent tracks but mostly fall into the “heard it a million times” category. I do love Fall For Me.

[@KhaosKontroller]

You call it bold and brash. I call it, belongs in the trash.

[@mattmakuta]

@@KhaosKontroller that’s fine

[@randomnortherner840]

Cosmic is their best song ever, and I was an angsty teenager listening to City of Evil on my family roadtrips lol

[@DizzyMan24]

This album was good. Haters gonna hate.

[@WHOREHAMMER_OFFICIAL]

More so people with different tastes are going to disagree. Im not a fan but the talent that went into this record is amazing i will say.

[@jrk10]

@@WHOREHAMMER_OFFICIAL that’s fair just some people are going so overboard like I keep seeing the same people in the chat giving all the songs 1/10 because they wanna hate so bad

[@WHOREHAMMER_OFFICIAL]

@@jrk10 very true

[@Straw_Breaker]

@@jrk10I loved this record so I get where you’re coming from, but at the same time those people can’t really help if that’s how they actually feel.

[@raptorrsr5817]

I really enjoy the album, but I’m sick of these fucking idiots calling anything that’s even slightly critical “hating”. You’re implying that people have actual hatred for a body of music

[@vVDrewciferVv]

It's a conceptual album. It's definitely a fun album to listen to and makes a lot of sense with things that are going on these days, especially with fake AI generated bs. Couldn't have asked for anything different. Took me a few listens, but I see what they were going for, and I love it.

[@MinuteMayne]

What’s the concept? Dog shit?

[@is_misfortune8404]

I do agree that some of the ideas don't mesh together super well all the time, but weird transition and genre changes are what made songs like the Summoning incredibly popular. Now granted A7X went a little crazier with it than Sleep Token, but all the weird ideas together have a certain charm and I like that they even thought to put them together.

[@MantasticHams]

Not even a fan of sleep token, but they sound good. This does not. They absolutely did not go "a little crazier", they went "Lets make a musical glob of boogers and shit on it and then sell it." and everyone bought it because they are famous.

[@blue_serpent]

Great Reaction! Metalheads hate it. Musicheads Love it. I think people will love the songs more if they think of the 3 aspects: Music, Concept, Lyrics Love how they are heavily circling around Absurdism and Existentialism. Here are my thoughts for the songs: 1. Game Over - Meaninglessness of Life 2. Mattel - Simulation. Much like a continuation to The Stage album concept 3. Nobody - Realization that we are "one with the universe" and a "nobody" in the grand scheme of things 4. We Love You - Most say it's about capitalism. But I interpret the song as representation of human ego and the illusion of choice 5. Cosmic - Cycle of Life and Death. The idea that we are all made up of the same cosmic energy - we do not go away. We just take up a new form or has been in a different form in our past lives. Written in beautiful love song 6. Beautiful Morning - Inner struggle to find meaning. The character they are trying to portray in this song is everyone's worst day for their life. 7. Easier - Surrender 8. G - Story of Creation. And God is contemplating that he made an error to create humans and just wants to delete what he made. 9. Ordinary - While people commit suicide, a curious AI wants to have a soul and live. Thus the electronic vibe 10. Death - Suicide 11. LIBAD - Closing the curtains

[@r34ct4]

This album is fucking brilliant. It's candy for prog enthusiasts.

[@MantasticHams]

hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@saraquintero440]

Couldn’t have described it better

[@_devote]

this song is fucking trash. im going back to waking the fallen

[@bxryme]

@@MantasticHams ??

[@MantasticHams]

@@bxryme 'sa real bad album. And if i was gonna like a A7X album this woulda been the one. Been listening to the avant-garde/prog metal that these guys are cribbing for years and this is the palest of imitations. Unexpect, Pain of Salvation, Faith No More, Vulture Industries, come to mind, among others. But the production is so boring and oddly hollow, and the vocals consistently sound fkn terrible, sometimes because of delivery, sometimes because they are too high in the mix and they've been EQ'd and reverb'd poorly. The guitars sound good but the drums sound like triggered samples of someone tapping on cardboard, both are too loud. What i'm really laughing at tho is the "candy for prog enthusiasts" thing, prog-heads are gonna hear this like tasting a diet root beer when they know they ordered a coke.

[@willgarrison4959]

I hated this album because of the two singles. I finally gave it a try a couple of weeks ago. I've listened to the whole album at least a dozen times since. It's a masterpiece

[@adub3944]

we love your sucks thats it imo

[@manuinjapan]

Typical wage war generic boring metal fans calling it trash, didn't expect anything else from the most close minded music community.

[@davidsakamoto9353]

Ratio for Wage War

[@Kruscle]

3:11

[@smarfbag8714]

That literally made me spit my drink hahaha

[@WokthePlank]

As a pothead I love this album

[@wicked_skies]

Same

[@_WeDontKnow_]

I wholeheartedly love this album and I think it's their best project to date, imo it's better on the 2nd 3rd listen however, I can 100% understand how people see this as a goofy album lmao I had an absolute blast watching this entire reaction, your chat seemed to be giving it a fair chance too. even if some didn't end up liking it

[@kybalerton2608]

As someone who tends to like more experimental stuff, I'm used to people not liking the things I like. For me as long as the writers created something they love and put their soul into it and it doesn't turn out bad I appreciate it so much

[@ptr_does_music7042]

I mean, for a person with your preferences, it's actually great that you found that many things to praise about an album so out there. It's not for everyone, but its adventurous nature is really charming

[@its_jo5hu472]

this album is not weird if you look at the lyrics to know the context

[@DasRota]

It does fuck. We are currently living in a world of everyone trying to be Lorna Shore or fucking Sleep Token. This rips.

[@Brandon2940]

Great bands but... damn why try to be them!?

[@lordfatcock]

Not Lorna shore, that whole sound goes back to infant annihilators album from 2016 from there bands started playing faster and faster and faster while the vocalist tries to sound as crazy as possible.

[@vedsj6091]

It's actually a really insane album lol. Insane literally. I feel every song is unique and a whole different genre, and every song reminds me of a different band which i've listened to in the past. But i think they could mix it better for sure

[@patrickyasko7443]

When I saw them play We Love You live they had these loud bass drops that honestly made you feel like you were at a rave all of a sudden. It was so cool. Everyone was dancing lol

[@DennGreenIII]

Check out Cosmic a couple more times. The first time I heard it, it was very "meh" for me, but after the 4th listen I just started crying, it was wild. Now I'm of the opinion that it's the most beautiful track they've made to date.

[@MrGuiagui]

Nothing can beat Fiction

[@chardeemacdennis3852]

Syns best solo imo

[@DennGreenIII]

@@chardeemacdennis3852 it slaps harder than my dad on report card day, that's for sure lol

[@fuhtehangzo1465]

I second this. Cosmic has become my new favorite song after a few listens❤

[@ivanlebo832]

Masterpiece. Such a Pink Floyd move of them, and I already said that the last album, but this one is even MORE diverse. This is avenged sevenfold’s “The Wall”

[@tomofthepops]

Please explain to me how any of this is a Pink Floyd move of them ? I don’t remember pink Floyd ever moving to make something as bad as this lol

[@ivanlebo832]

@@tomofthepops Pink Floyd took a lot of new music technology and genres from their time and blended it into their own. I’m sorry if you don’t find this album remotely similar, but it’s undeniably reminiscent of bands like Queen, Pink Floyd, even throwing in some Metallica, System of a Down, red hot chili peppers, 60s Beach Bum music, etc. But they also take it a step further by incorporating new sounds from the trash music selection we have today, and somehow made it a lot less trash. It’s definitely not for everybody, but they knew that you in specific probably wouldn’t like it, and made it anyway.

[@alexandernygren1993]

More bands should try to make a progressive album! I really dig this album 😊

[@wallysnakes2690]

progressive yes, this no. ive listened to hundreds of random songs and 'we love you' is still the worst song i have ever heard.

[@Blyter7]

i love when people say "this aint a7x" as if they care, a million times better when artists follow the music instead of try to recreate something from a different part of their lives. avenged will create much better music far longer into their careers doing it this way imo. syn has too much talent for it to be wasted doing the same thing over and over. i appreciate this and the last album a ton. so much new ideas and it feels much more like the music was conceived in the moment instead of in a meeting. taking a feeling or emotion and running with it while being able to switch gears at any point so your always on your toes. gets much better every listen

[@renejensen7799]

Ita a wierd album at first listen, but it really does get better each listen, and grow on you..

[@TranzparentMethods]

This is SOOO A7X channeling Frank Zappa... "G" is proof of that. The female vocals in the pre-chorus, and the chorus. The deep voice that Matt uses in the verses... It's like "I'm The Slime".

[@bryantambracc]

Ppl judging this album for what it isn't: a radio hit. This is a conceptual album talking about the meaning of life and ppl judge it like a album you can play to chill with your friends.

[@maximilianwentz5202]

This album is honestly really growing on me, it’s super weird and it’s gonna throw off a lot of fans who are more into the mainstream side of A7X. It’s definitely not for everyone but I’m kinda diggin it overall.

[@facuwind4758]

es solo ver sus reacciones a canciones de metalcore genericas, literalmente son fanaticos solo de un genero, por algo su canal se llamaba "HARDCORE". Les cuesta salir de ahi

[@Brandon2940]

I think "G" is the song that stands out the most to me out of the album just because I was so surprised as to actually wtf that song is

[@Williamswartz]

Like Rush mixed with something I can’t put my finger on yet😂😂

[@pissedoffangryreviewguy]

Sounds like Zappa

[@kybalerton2608]

​@Williamswartz On G i was like rush??? And (D)eath i heard it and was like Sinatra is that you? Lol. Easier is the only song that kinda rubs me the wrong way and parts of beautiful morning as well. The rest I like a lot

[@the_evergrey_toa1392]

G is one of my faves now. I think is like a mix of Rush's progginess with soul, funk, and a Led Zeppelin groove. I also love the concept of lyrics for it

[@LoudModeOn]

@@pissedoffangryreviewguy It does. Def has "Wonderful Wino" vibes about it.

[@fatdudeinamiata]

I really tried with this album, went into it with no expectations. Listened to it 3 times all the way through before I just gave up on it. For me there’s no cohesion whatsoever, feels less like an album experience and more of a carnivals playlist. The mix really bothered me for some reason too, Matt’s vocals just didn’t hit the spot for me like they usually do. Easy 2/10 for me, can’t say I’ll ever voluntarily listen to it again

[@nothinggood2696]

I found it fairly cohesive on the first listen but I guess it helps that I understood what the album was doing. You can't force yourself to like something so if you've tried there's not much you can do I guess. Maybe listening to some progressive music, exploring the topic of absurdism and coming back open minded after leaving it for a while may help.

[@fatdudeinamiata]

@@nothinggood2696 I’ll definitely give it a shot because I want to like it, prog has just never really been my thing tbh

[@nothinggood2696]

@@fatdudeinamiata Speaking from experience, don't dive headfirst into Prog. Ease your way into it and then you'll enjoy it a lot more. Save Me is progressive so if you're a fan of that explore the genre a bit more. Dream Theater would probably be my first recommendation, the Octavarium album is a good start I didn't really like the title track at first but then it clicked and blew my mind.

[@yagzf9513]

Ordinary is fucking amazing. Yeah it is a a7x song and that makes it even better

[@Alperenkardes]

yuru be!!!

[@yagzf9513]

@@Alperenkardes Türkçe cevap görünce şaşırdım bi anlık :)

[@miractandemirkale4983]

Başta bir garip belki ama şarkıda A7X tadı geliyor

[@yagzf9513]

@@miractandemirkale4983 3-4. Dinleyişten sonra en sevdiğim şarkı oldu neredeyse G ve Mattel le beraber

[@zuckerhut8707]

Exactly

[@julians201]

IM IN LOVE WITH THIS RECORD

[@noahcoyle7969]

Me too. Me too

[@IzhakIb]

Same

[@loganstrickler]

W take

[@SN-772]

AND MEEEEE

[@gSWG3R]

L

[@ChannelForty2]

Dude this album is brilliant

[@kyle3554]

Why do people not like Cosmic? It's a masterpiece.

[@SpiceAndSauce]

instead of taking whatever this album is giving you, you are bringing your own expectations, thats whats wrong with people who are not finding this record to their taste. imo, this is a brilliant record, who cares if it is not metal or rock. Good music is good music.

[@gruccigang0587]

Weird/different ≠ good

[@tlovin2]

Or... he just doesn't like it. Plain and simple

[@cr1s1s0ff41th]

good music is good music but this just isn't! i think the album is pretty awful, from the stuff i heard from it. glad u enjoyed it but there's nothing wrong with those who don't okay?

[@gruccigang0587]

@@cr1s1s0ff41th only tracks worth looking at are nobody and cosmic imo. Everything else is just so awful.

[@hannahb6411]

I went into this record with 0 expectations because I'd never heard A7X before and I didn't like it, either. Sometimes people just don't like things, and that's okay. Your opinion is not better than anyone else's. Neither is mine. Just let people like what they like and dislike what they dislike.

[@jackckwitch3145]

I personally think this album is great especially on a deeper level and understanding the story it is telling. I think you missed that whole part. Its truly a great album and tells a beautiful story.

[@r34ct4]

Can you please explain to me what the higher level story is here? Is it something about psychedelics (DMT) and the nature of reality and life?

[@lost4weeks]

@r34ct The album overall is about death, ego death, consumerism, and overall not living in the moment. There's some elements of psychedelic experiences painted into some songs but I wouldn't interpret the album to be about dmt or drugs. Certainly there are chaotic and jarring moments that can be interpreted a lot of different ways but I think the overall album is ones feeling with mortality (figuratively and literally). Does it make the music any better? That's up to any singular person's opinion and experience, I personally enjoy the story they told through the album and I would agree that if you take the time to actively listen and soak in the narrative they are trying to convey it will enchance your experience of the album imo.

[@MantasticHams]

@@lost4weeks o wild ive never heard a metal album about any of those things since yesterday. innovative

[@nothinggood2696]

​@@MantasticHams I don't think @Nathan J really explained what the album concept is that well. It's not just about 'Death' it strongly ties with the philosophy of absurdism, nihilism, the nature of reality, religion, AI, suicide. The song Mattel for example is inspired by 'The Truman Show' which itself is crazy, add on to the fact that it talks about feeling artificial because of all the subtle ways we are controlled and how our pursuit of progress is commodifying everything which is what the 'Plastic daisies' is referring to. I can't personally say I've heard an album that has explored concepts such as these before but I'm sure you'll enlighten us with countless examples.

[@givenspade]

I absolutely love this album. I got to see them for the first time after being a fan for over 7 years and I loved hearing these bangers live. I even got a Zacky V pick!

[@reduxpulse8835]

People came in with hard set expectations of what they wanted. Avenged made the music they wanted to make and its so good but people don't like it because its not Afterlife 2 13:40 is exactly what I mean. They didn't try to do anything, they just wrote the music they wanted to make simple as that and saying a lot of it like ordinary and life is but a dream don't work just because you wanted beast and the harlot 2 but they gave you a near masterwork of a piano piece or an absolutely bopping funk song is just personal bias. They're true musicians, it doesn't matter if they want to make Jazz, funk, whatever, they'll just do what they want now which is great. Assigning a genre or saying they cant make this or that type of music just because they're "avenged sevenfold" is just limiting. Imagine someone you don't know walking up to you in the street and starts telling you that you cant do what you want to do because they don't like it.

[@lost_fiction]

since you know what i think about the album : (irony : on) To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand "Life is but a Dream" by Avenged Sevenfold. The music is extremely experimental, and without a solid grasp of advanced music theory most of the songs will go over a typical listener's head. There's also the concept of the record, which is deftly progressing throughout the full album, while their influences draw heavily from Metallica, for instance. The fans understand this stuff. They have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the depths of these songs, to realize that they're not just good, they say something deep about LIFE. As a consequence, people who dislike Life is but a Dream truly ARE idiots. Of course they wouldn't appreciate, for instance, the effortless agility with which the band seamlessly fuses Prog, Metal, Pop and Funk, or how M. Shadows' vocals puts even the most acclaimed opera singers to shame. I'm smirking right now just imagining one of those addlepated simpletons scratching their heads in confusion as Matt's genius lyrical storytelling unfolds itself into their ears. What fools, how I pity them.

[@MetalRock92]

What a read! I laughed so hard at this, thank you! I genuinely like the album though, I love the chaotic nature of it. Not for an everyday listen, but from time to timew I will throw the albun on, when I am in the mood.

[@goresheite]

This but unironically

[@hektorlinko]

Bands evolve and mature and some people get it or not. I get it. I'm now 49 and so I can relate to their new sound.

[@TheDGBgamers]

Ok, I respect you giving this album a go even knowing you probably weren't going to like it, but the chat sucks. They were constantly looking for comparisons to other bands. Even though they're probably modern metalcore fans, which is pretty ironic.

[@kanomee]

i think the chats were the same people who is on Brad's stream yesterday. Brad blatantly saying all songs are a ripoff to other bands which is why the chat is like that i guess 😂 personally i hate those kinds of people and i love the album, but this album has such funny reactions so far and I'm all for it, takes me back to when CoE and Self titled were first released. everyone's reactions were pretty much the same 😂

[@lost4weeks]

​@Kanome! For real. Like I understand blatant rip offs but if I really wanted to I could rip apart any song down to the most petty scrutiny. Literally takes the joy away from music

[@TheDGBgamers]

@@lost4weeks Yeah, exactly. If you really wanted to, you could find every bands inspirations and call them rip offs, but like you said, it takes the fun out of music. Literally all music is derived from something.

[@ShounenN]

For me this is personally one of the most interesting, introspective, artistic, bravest albums that came out in the past 10 years.. it is so damn beautifully depressing.. The lyrical journey and the album as a whole really hits once you open your mind to the craziness. Once it doesn't strike you as weird you will get to enjoy the real album!

[@that_one_stupid_gamer2578]

People saying the sound inspirations are 'ripoffs' is such a cope. Yes, Beautiful Morning sounds like it was inspired by Alice in Chains. And that's nowhere near a bad thing. People waited 7 years and genuily were expecting The stage/Nightmare/City of Evil the sequel. That expectation not being met is on you, not A7X. Seeing the chat "This is NOT Avenged Sevenfold" at the tail end of the video sent me. You don't get to decide that. Have we not learned from all the crying about bands like Metallica and Linkin Park 'changing their sound' not doing anything productive for the overall health of the genre? Mattel, Beautiful Morning, We Love You, Nobody, and G ALL go hard. Just because it's different and subverted your expectations doesn't make it bad. Yes we're all entitled to our opinions, but folks in the chat were declaring subjective opinion like they were concrete facts. At that point, you're not saying an opinion. you're stating a falsehood to cope. This album isn't perfect, Easier is a hard listen, but again albums at best like 7.5-8/10. No where near the garbage people think it is.

[@robba7x]

This album is a masterpiece

[@thestarvoice5978]

This album is a masterpiece

[@jhead88]

diasterpiece

[@thestarvoice5978]

@@jhead88bro can’t even spell 💀

[@jhead88]

@@thestarvoice5978 yep, it wasn’t a typo or anything. I’m just an idiot. Lol

[@marcelocardoso7492]

No

[@blakesteele1344]

Such a good album but it’s just one of those albums that you have to listen to front to back to get the full effect, I think the only songs I ever really put on individually are game over, Mattel, and cosmic

[@ethanrocks8159]

I’m gonna get hate from this, but I feel like this album is kinda like so weird that it’s good. Yeah it’s not perfect or even close to it but I think you have to give it props for being unique and them trying something new and crazy. I’d take this crazy album over the new sleep token album that I thought was boring and annoying. Nothing wrong if you love or hate both of those albums

[@ExcaliberHD]

Agreed. Sleep Token takes risks and incorporates many different styles, but it’s all so over processed poorly executed imo. This avenged album feels organic and raw with a lot more bite although I definitely understand it’s not everybody’s cup of tea

[@Menamizwut]

It's a perfect album, don't be shy from admitting it

[@deltasemple383]

It has a lot of influence from me bungle and daft punk and that really is too far off for most people also seems like a lot of punk Floyd vibes too

[@b3aner.joseph]

it’s perfect

[@collinramirez5797]

i love the beetle dude in chat at 11:32 saying "this is NOT avenged sevenfold" bro yes it is💀💀 it’s got their name on it they wrote it they recorded it they released it😭😭 just because it’s not the avenged music you wanted doesn’t mean it’s not avenged music, get over yourself

[@joaopinto4535]

That same dude was always typing "That synth is so loud" 🤣🤣 Dude learned the word synth that day for sure xD

[@wienerking]

Cant wait for the next album where they should bring their experimental things all together and create another album where it’s more polished (not mixed because they like that messy sound)

[@kev23dk]

I’ve been listening non stop this album is pure gold. People who hate on this have no appreciation of art in music and just wanna bang their heads against the wall forever for classic metal. 😂

[@derekskates4770]

listening to cosmic jus made me cry and think about how far they have come, ik the rev is proud

[@envyofstars]

i hate when people say “tHiS iSnT a7x” like oh so you made the group? you get to decide what is and isn’t avenged?

[@conceptoarcanocanaloficial]

Fr 💀

[@MrScrubsJanitor]

Artists should not cater their audience All the more I am happy that A7X go their way. The album is terrific and I can't get rid of the feeling that mental capacity is necessary for this realization.

[@X1andra]

people are overhating this album

[@benmrvich261]

I've only listened to it once through so it's kinda weird to me compared to their normal sound, but I didn't like the new singles at first and now I love them

[@liamblylod5954]

you should listen again, it kinda falls into place 2nd time and 3rd its a favourite

[@saenzarts]

Powerful album, even with all the delicate pretty songs. Beautiful work. It's amazing!

[@MrSir2552]

I knew Bogdan wouldn’t like this album that much lol. I respect his opinion and have followed him for a long while now but I’ve always known him to like more regularly structured, chuggy and breakdowny stuff. Not a bash on him though, everyone is entitled to their own opinion

[@danielmacdonald9287]

Yeah. Seems like a guy who prefers normal stuff.

[@_Ashtar_]

Same from the twitch chat, you can tell the strictly metalcore tm fans

[@Ryan-tm7ug]

Yeah it’s sad when they need everything to be heavy and breakdowns , sometimes you gotta get funky

[@Petrical]

Pretty much exactly how I feel, respect his opinion though!

[@mario50000]

@@Ryan-tm7ug yes very sad that people listen to what they like instead of what you like

[@Phantom-kc9ly]

Im on like a 10th listen and it just keeps getting better for me

[@romanovhd8273]

Each listen is better than the last for me too, I really adore everything they are conveying with this album, it's so powerful when you look deeply into it

[@Hipahboi]

cosmic is a masterpiece... dude, my girlfriend that dont like much metal put it as our song because she watched me cry listening to it lol

[@r34ct4]

I cried too, but I don't understand why.

[@Hipahboi]

@@r34ct4 it's comfort...or nostalgia, sometimes trauma, sometimes apreciation for art, a7x always hits My spot un making me cry

[@briceclements3140]

Am I f'n missing something? Do I need to look up what the meaning is or something? 2 listens through the album and I'm not getting this reaction.

[@Hipahboi]

@@briceclements3140 maybe it does not fit your style and You don't like it, it sometimes happen, don't forcé You to do something You don't like

[@briceclements3140]

@agustinwilliams5350 maybe you're right. I love A7X and always will. Maybe we've just grown apart. That's okay though, I don't think it's trash or anything. I just don't know if it's something I understand.

[@distress_x4410]

It’s a great album, I respect peoples opinions but I think they would like it more if they understood the deeper meanings of each of the songs and how they go together and send a wake up message to the world

[@maxilus1256]

This album is Art.

[@topiwiio8017]

It is incredible that you think it is over produced, because it is more grounded than other metal records today. And The the mixing is suberb. It is done by the guy who invented modern metal mixing. Andy Wallace The best on The world.

[@J-cobDidADoooooo]

Loved the start of the album, just wasn’t really a fan of how it ended off and it had me asking a lot of questions. Will say game over, mattel, and g where my favorites while everything else was weird but pretty interesting. It’s like If Daft Punk Pink Floyd and SOAD had a baby. Plus I got the Spotify vinyl so it makes for a cool keepsake.

[@felps6072]

for the proposal of this album, and being a concept album...dude, i love this in 98,9% of the seconds. This is not about "wow, let's gonna a a7x thing that we always do" of course not, it's experimental and is masterpiece. Obvious is not for everyone and is about it.

[@iPlayDrums4You]

As a huge Between the Buried and Me and prog metal fan, this album is fantastic to me. These guys are awesome musicians and composers and they're at a point where they really aren't doing this for mass appeal, they're writing the music that they want to write and play. Matt said in an interview that they don't mind playing the old City of Evil/Self Titled songs, but they were written by 20 year olds, and they're just over that now. Let's also not forget that despite their commercial success in the 2000's and 2010s, they had a ton of haters and were pigeon-holed into the emo/poser metal genre. These guys are true music fans at heard and now have the freedom to write and play what they want. Bands do change over time, there is no winning when they do because tons of people want to live in the past or haters will hate because of the band name on the album. G.O.D is their best work IMO by far, it's so easy to listen to and I've listened to it at least a dozen times.

[@jacobfischer8385]

Yes, I felt like it was a BTBAM and like ELO with a little A7X mixed in

[@nbyers]

Love a7x for so long. This was an interesting first listen but still enjoyed it. Now am obsessed

[@macanthony1108]

A7X's self-titled is one of my favourite albums from my early teenage hood. I just don't know what this is. I can appreciate the ambition for this album but it's not my thing at all and I'm kinda let down. But hey, art is art, and if this is where the band is at the moment, then there's nothing we can do.

[@nikkempe2374]

Couldn't say it any better 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@a4arick106]

There's one thing that we can do, and that is to appreciate it

[@SS-dm5iy]

A7X has been my favorite band for just over 15 years. Without a doubt..... Waking The Fallen, City of Evil, The Stage, and Life Is But A Dream are their premier S-tier albums.

[@micahbecenti3292]

Bro they did the same thing as the white album in just a different time. The white album was wildly different on release than anything they’ve ever done and it got the same if not more backlash than LIBAD

[@cunjoz]

Cosmic starts: fyytek: why is it so long wow, if there was ever a smoothbrain question.

[@AntonOhlin]

lmao people are sweating trying to prove their musical intellect discussing this album...

[@samuki1992]

truuue, its kinda cringe lol

[@centralia83]

The song G kinda remind me of the song YYZ by rush. Some of the stuff on this album reminds me of rush

[@idorion9096]

Distracts me that i dont belong here anymore. I feel this to my core 😑😵

[@rileyjohnson1677]

This is the first piece of avenged sevenfold media I’ve ever enjoyed

[@marcelosb6941]

..."never going to comeback to this album again" just resumes my impression

[@janmorast]

For me it's a masterpiece. The way take so many different genres and put it together like this is amazing. I can absolutely understand that it's not for everyone but imo this is the best album in years. Absolute 10/10. (Just my opinion pls don't hate me :) )

[@merensashi1226]

Think outside of the box. The album isn't only about the music, but fine art as well.

[@merensashi1226]

@Charlei13 ,I get you. Everyone has their own perspective and opinion. And yes, music is an art. 😊

[@merensashi1226]

@Charlei13 ,I thought you said the art wasn't good 😊. So, I was kind of confused. Anyway, thank you for the reaction! One more thing.. it definitely grows 😊

[@Toker888]

We may not find man's at the dawn of time, as the roses bud again.

[@leion800]

Ok so for those in the back. This album is about how fake life is. Mainly pertaining to simulation theory. Once you get this the album becomes easier to swallow. I enjoy this album. I like that a7x is going with concept albums

[@Irock2412]

Some of you guys want artists to stick to one sound and it shows. Biggest problem with the music industry today is that all these cookie cutter artists never take any risks. Probably should've seen this coming after the Stage, but this album is great.

[@EthanRadell]

Ive never like avenged and this is easily the worst album. We just want them to make good music and get a mix that a band this big could have and not some pre pro sounding shit lmao

[@Nero-Forte99]

@@EthanRadell 🤡

[@cr1s1s0ff41th]

​@@Nero-Forte99 you're the reason people don't ever say what they actually wanna say

[@cr1s1s0ff41th]

changing sound isn't a problem but some stuff just isn't as good as the stuff before that, or after that for that matter. there are plenty of bands who have changed their sound and evolved with it. this band is one of those by the way, the stage was a pretty great album. this isn't

[@lost4weeks]

@markiplier (real and true) What is considered not good vs good? People use that term as a crutch when discussing music but need to actually expand. What was not good? Or do you mean like you just don't like it in your opinion? (Which is fine)

[@Owenator26]

This definitely takes the cake for weirdest album of 2023 so far lol

[@loganstrickler]

I'd say weirdest album in the past 10 years or so, this shit goes hard tho

[@pratikmandal1350]

Album of the year so far for me. And this is the first time I've ever actually heard their music properly.

[@loganstrickler]

@@pratikmandal1350 w take

[@pratikmandal1350]

@@loganstrickler I'll take anything weird and innovative over the same level of heaviness, same tempos, same song structure that the band has done 500 times in the past. Case in point, the last two Gojira records, The last 3 trivium records and now this one.

[@MirceaKitsune]

Some of the hate this album is getting is unfortunate... much of it for being different, and I say this as someone who thought of myself as highly resistant to change. First of all, if they only did the same thing constantly it would be boring... let's be honest, hearing A7X do electronic spacey music then at the end an original 1930's Christmas jazz was kind of awesome, all in their original style still. Thing is they also went back to some of their old styles... like Cosmic has a very similar progression to I Won't See You Tonight except so much more modern and interesting, Mattel even felt a bit City Of Evil in places. There are some things I'd have tweaked were I in their place, but in the end I was definitely satisfied grateful and will be listening to this many more times.

[@saraquintero440]

I absolutely fuckin loved it

[@johnathanstrother9762]

Good art is thought provoking.

[@themottster9840]

opening to ordinary sounds like no doubt hella goods opening at least the drum part

[@quinomofficial]

moral of the story, the albums very good and sure its somewhat experimental but its good

[@EmoBoi91]

Evolve or die,y’all gotta accept that. This album is a masterpiece.

[@amirhamza8924]

Absolute masterclass. Was eh on Nobody and disliked We Love You when they came out but in the greater context and flow of the album they're great. The whole album is definitely a solid piece of music than just a collection of individual songs (rhough Cosmic works very good on its imo). I get not everyone will get this album and imo that's fine. I think it's just important to understand that it's not weird for weird's sake and the band is not aimless as many people are claiming. It may not be to your tastes but to others, Avenged is definitely in more control of their music than they have ever been. It's a genuine prog record that goes even beyond the somehwat established cliches of prog and tries to do something that's not something they've done before.

[@nicolasgodin51]

I can confidently say it’s one of the best musical experiences I’ve had in my entire life. I understand it’s not for everyone, but I think it’s the best album I’ve heard in years. Idk I feel it’s revolutionary for me.

[@mcz2271]

if you haven't listened to mr bungle and love this album, please do so. California is an album experience unlike any other

[@rowhaus5478]

I feel so sorry for you

[@mcz2271]

@@rowhaus5478 you feel sorry they had a good time? lol

[@ougazu32]

This is a very specific album, you either love it or hate it, there's no in between. i think

[@nicolasgodin51]

@@mcz2271 Oh yeah I love Mr Bungle. I agree, California is amazing.

[@alvinjoseph7260]

Avenged sevenfold uses heavy autotune on the self titled album for the song lost idk why everyone's so surprised they're using it again

[@liamblylod5954]

Mattel goes hard as FUCK

[@Its_Me_Redd]

The reaction/reviews of this album have been hilarious so far and it's been a trip lmao. Personally, I really fuck with this album the more I listen to it. It's all over the place and batshit insane and the influences are ever so present but I just love it to bits.

[@TheWahlberg]

(D)eath could 100% be a 007 James Bond movie intro lmao

[@ghettodorf]

Some songs you gotta listen to again because you know what to expect. It's like watching movie or a show again, you'll notice things you didn't the first time and probably find a different meaning in the song from what you had initially. At least give Easier and the GOD trilogy another try.

[@zachfierro7105]

Very experimental and out there but I love when artists do that. They challenge themselves while also challenging the listener and can be very gratifying for both. There will be mixed reactions like we’ve been seeing but I’m sure this album will be more appreciated as time goes on