Ive listened to it 3 times now. Its creative, wildly ambitious, and reading more into the lyrics really helps to appreciate it more. The exploration of life, death, and even the afterlife is brilliantly realized. 9/10
Honestly, i love the album. It's like if Alice in Wonderland was written by A7x. It's a journey to listen to it in its entirety in one sitting. Just so artistically beautiful.
Im in the perfect place musically right now for this album to drop. im way into 'outside the box' stuff at the moment and this album had me hooked from beginning to end. enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would, very very solid album
I just got chills at you mentioning “In the Court of the Crimson King”. I was just rereading one of the Dark Tower books and learning that that album inspired Stephen King. And yes, this album is a masterpiece. Got to work at 3am and listened to it about 3 times in a row as I worked. The day flew by.
I just finished the Dark Tower series the other day and I still haven't listened to In the Court of the Crimson King yet. I've really fot to get on that.
@@kirkwahmmett1666 Do it mate. THE most legendary prog album of all time. Practically all prog that's come out after the 60s pays homage to King Crimson's masterpiece, deservedly so.
@@kentuckychainsaw2626 not scared “OF” an album. During this experience there are a lot of different emotions that surface, and fear or “uncomfortability” are definitely present for me.
IT IS SUCH A G(O)(D) TIER ALBUM! Some of the best genre mixing I've ever seen, and magnificently innovative songwriting. Might be my favourite album by them ever.
Love what you did there 😂❤ Also I couldn't agree more, It's something within the sound itself and mixing that just instantly reached to me. I already Love it as much as The Stage if not more ❤
@@Kraljii The Stage is easily in my top 3 A7X albums, and I'd place it at the same level as the stage as well! I think both of them are so sonically different that I can't place one above the other, but they're both absolute gems :)
I personally think this album is an absolute masterpiece. The versatility of A7X is genius. The majesty of the track "cosmic" is damn near tear jerking. The GOD trilogy is an amazing ride. I hope they don't wait so long to put the next album out. Infinity stars for me
Near tear jerking? I was crying when I picked my dad up for lunch yesterday He asked whats wrong & I had to explain that I was crying from the sheer excellence of the music lol
This album is a masterpiece. Probably my new favorite album (and I LOVE every era of A7X). These guys are some of the most talented musicians and artists on earth, and they are incapable of writing bad music. And shout out to MY BOY Wes Lang for the beautifully ominous album art. I got a Hawaiian shirt with a bunch of the album art on it. GOING TO SEE THEM LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME NEXT WEEK! I agree with everything you said. Especially with how all these contrasting musical styles have this disturbing undertone of its heavy themes that just makes it all work as a compete package and you have to listen to it as a complete work of art. Not just cherry pick “good songs” from it.
100% same page here. I'm struggling to think of an album anytime recently that I kept listening to from beginning to end so many times and want to share as much I do this one. I'm a huge Dream Theater fan and am always listening to something from them, and Metropolis 2000 is probably the closest one that was on repeat as much. Months ago I simply skipped around and from the thrashing beginning to some of the other weird starts to songs, I kind of just wrote it off without really listening to any of the songs in full. Cosmic popped up on RU-vid seemingly randomly just a few weeks ago, so I decided to listen to the whole song and I was blown away and compelled to listen to the rest of the album in its entirety. I'm still blown away and keep coming back to it. Wonderful job A7X!
I love this album so much, they are a few years older than me but I definitely feel like the band has grown up as I've grown up. Looking back through all the music they've released over the years feels like looking through an old photo album, each album tied to its own place and time.
I finally listened to the whole album, and as an enthusiast of Progressive Metal, Avant-Garde Metal and a few other things thought out of the box, this album is absolutely a masterpiece, one of the most complete I've ever listened, an album rich in musicality, is dense, emotional, fun, mesmerizing, perfect pacing and flow, simply incredible! I've always been a fan of the band, but I missed something less formulaic, more intricate and experimental, just like Life Is But a Dream... I can't wait for the band's next project, a band that has evolved absurdly on each project, and has brilliant musicians, all in their prime.
I love it. It's finally given me something to look forward to over the past couple months. Listening to it this morning took me through a lot of emotions. They did an incredible job mixing it and I hope all of their older fans can appreciate it and bring in a lot of new (younger) fans as well.
It's honestly one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. It's reignited my love for front to back album listening and it's just....it's such a journey
the thing that did it for me is how natural and raw the mix is. you can actually hear the slight out of time moments in brooks’ drumming, the string noise on the acoustic parts, etc. it sounds so refreshing after having all the cookie cutter style mixing where its just so crisp and perfect.
I love avenged sevenfold. I don't really get this album, and maybe i need to give it another listen to better understand it. But I'm glad that there are people who love this album, because i would hate to think it was mediocre.
I'm really trying to get into this álbum too... I got great headphones now, and I'll give it 2 more try. I've listened 2 times already but I cant get it... perhaps it will grow on me as time goes by
@@jfwarcraft-3songs i found super cheesey and cringey.., I found the electric funk stuff for a bit weird and my ears found it a bit off-putting But other than that i enjoyed it as a whole sold album but definitely not the best by far city of Evil the stage and nightmare in my opinion are more enjoyable for me musicality and lyrically
If you like it, cool. I certainly didn't. Most of the praise I'm hearing even in this vid is "it's the most NOT A7X album and I love it for that" 🤔hmmm. It's like putting money in a vending machine, pressing Pepsi and a Ginger Ale drops out. You're probably gonna drink it anyway, but you don't have to be happy about it 😅. Hard pass for me on this one
@@gokuwufei99 the only parts I didn't like about it was the electro funk cringe personally I don't like that type of music other than this I enjoyed it as a whole is more positives and negatives but I don't think I'll be listening to it much on repeat like the stage nightmare and city of Evil must have played them album 6+ times never gets old
I didn’t expect myself to love this album because it wasn’t what I was hoping for from A7X but I’ve had it on repeat. It’s a fantastic album and best experienced from start to finish.
My favorite album was Science Fiction by Brand New. Hearing it the first time changed my life, and I haven't felt anything like that before, and hadn't felt anything like that since... until this morning hearing this album. These guys are my favorite band, and I'm so here for this new direction. Gotta give my favorite track to G or Mattel. The only criticism I have is that "Now I know this might sound crazy, but I've smelled the plastic daisies" has been stuck in my head since I heard it 😂
I'm so happy to hear your positive regard for the album, from the ratings of each individual songs it sounded really good, I'm so hyped to go over it and experience the album
This is what it feels to exists it pulls you back and transports you somewhere else, the experience is unique, scary, emotional, exciting, and it’s been a while since I haven’t been pushed by music to dive deeper into my emotions to understand the art, loved it!!
Massive A7X fan. At first, I was like “damn they finally let the music industry steal their soul and sold out”. Listened to the whole album…what a mindblowing journey! Much much better than I expected and super unique! For a band to switch things up so significantly and it still work out…and create a mindblowing masterpiece…that is truly amazing! So many influences that shine through on this album…yet it still sounds highly original and fun to listen to…even striking up emotions and making me smile at parts that are insanely cool. Definitely worth listening to the entire thing on repeat!
Never been a fan of Avenged sevenfold, but this album is some of the best I've ever heard💪 Opeth, death, BTBM, Cynic, DT and d.tranquility...... Its up there❤
I loved the album! It is so inspiring and mindful. It really gave me the chills. I know it’s not what many fans were expecting, but I loved it. A7X has never failed to surprise. It’s amazing how they just make awesome music and no pushing themselves into some genre or fan expectation boundaries.. Just amazing!
If you like other genres of music besides metal, this album is for you. If not and you’re just looking for that classic A7X sound, I’m not surprised if you don’t like it. I personally consider myself a metal head but as someone who regularly listens to almost every other genre especially the clearly recognizable influences of other genres/influences on this album, this album was a surprisingly refreshing masterpiece. Definitely a top 3 A7X album for me
A7X has been in my top 2 being #1/#2 depending for the last 13ish years since I discovered them. This album is definitely unique not only in their discography, but overall, and I was nervous originally through the solos and just everything coming out about it, but man it's a whirlwind and truly an amazing piece of art.
I am thankful that ppl who can feel n understand how deep this album is can watch Bradly to see how some other ppl like this man can also truely appreciate this album.
I lost my uncle to health complications last year and I lost a close friend to suicide this year. Cosmic gave me the closure I needed and I cried and still cry EVERY time to that song. Cosmic broke me but put me back together. I can’t remember the last time a song did that to me… foREVer my favorite band since 2005
The bluesy section on Easier and the solo over it are so friggin catchy. All of Cosmic is great. Definitely different from other stuff by them but also not. I really hope they release more tracks like they did on the stage. Just can’t get enough
I had been waiting for the album for so long, and let me tell you I was so joyfully surprised that it came out on my birthday. I've been a fan for a decade or so and had the privilege of seeing them live back in 2013. I'm really hopeful to seeing them play this live. Overall, I freaking loved every single bit of this album. It was damn worth the wait.
I'm halfway through and am speechless. A7X to me is City of Evil and the band that basically covered Doom E1M1. This is like Thrice Meets Queen Meets Muse Meets A7X and yeah, it's that good. This is something special
i'm extremely fond of this album, on the first listen even. a project like this is nothing i would ever expect of a band of their caliber or age, so it's extremely refreshing. it's got a WILD soundscape so it was really fun to listen, it feels like their take on a lot of styles and i'm here for it
Never liked A7X, but this album blew me away. It sounds like they've found their own sound rather than wearing their influences on their sleave. I love it.
This album left me so overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions of all kinds. I didn’t know how to feel. I’ve listened to this album all the way through for countless hours and I still haven’t found everything!
I originally heard Nobody and We Love You as singles and was a bit confused, like you said. But then when I sat down to listen to the album from start to finish today, it was insane. I was immediately invested in a way that I haven't been for a long time. I usually need 2-3 listens of a new album to get invested - but this one got me straight away! It's amazing.
@@V2Itself You should still be able to objectively look at something without letting your personal opinions get in the way. You can not be a fan of a genre and tell if something is well produced, is well written (for the most part), has good instrumentation if actual instruments are being played, is catchy in the general sense, and so on and so forth even if you personally don't like that style.
@@V2Itselfeven if something isn't for you, you can still see it being good, I heard people say Matt's voice in this album being awful and that was clearly the most insane claim I've ever heard
First off, that 1408 clip caught me off guard. Absolutely love that movie, it's gotta be one of my favorites of all time. As for the album, yeah that shit was so fuckin euphoric to hear. I've been waiting for them to release something for so long and finally listening to it, it's giving me a lot of nostalgic vibes. Which is crazy, cause its a new album. Idek how that happens but this record just unlocks something amazing in my brain and I'm all for it.
Idk how to describe it, not really musically versed myself, but the solo in Easier reminded of Greg Howe’s solo in Jason Beckers River of Longing. Great stuff!
It's my AOTY so far. I always liked A7X but this album is really something else entirely. Lots of nice influences can be traced on each song and there's so much going on. It actually is pretty hard to make something worthwhile out of so many elements, it could be a mess but it is brilliant.
This is why they have always been my favorite band their musicianship doesn't just stop at singing, playing guitar, bass, you know basic stuff like that, it goes deeper, every single member of the band can do a wide variety of things, and they each have a really creative mind, which alot of people don't seem to realize about them, and the best thing about them is they don't follow trends or what everyone else does, they do what they want to do
I will never understand when people complain about something being "arty". Music is literally art bro... "WHAT WHERE DID ALL THIS ARTINESS COME FROM?!?!?! I DON'T WANT ANY ART IN MY......ART..!!! SMH"
I'll buy the album on your recommendation, first time seeing your channel too. You mentioned a ton of my own loves, prog, mr bungle, Court of the crimson king... the only thing i didn't hear you touch on is Porcupine Tree/ Steven Wilson (my personal fave) I'm 53 and came to love music in the Duran Duran/ hair metal 80s, and i love music that covers many genres in the same album... thanks! It sounds right up my alley.
I didn't even know they'd released anything until I seen you'd uploaded this. dropped everything and listened before coming to watch. Absolute fucking belter of an album!
I immediately had to go away and hash out a quick acoustic cover of Cosmic because it's taken over my brain. I honestly can't stop singing that song. It's fucking exceptional. 🖤
This album is really something else, to a level that I have a hard time to fully appreciate and fully understand. But my gut says that this is a pure masterpiece and I just can't stop listening to it
This new album is blowing my mind, A7X has always had some pretty amazing musicianship but the depth and maturity of songwriting on display here is unlike anything they have done. I had sort of written them off after Nightmare as my own tastes matured and drifted in a more proggy direction around then but my god am I glad I gave this one a shot.
Couldn't agree more. I had stopped paying attention to A7x since Nightmare. This album took me completely by surprise. And I also listened to it 5+ times all the way through in the 1st couple days haha
as a old-classic a7x fan, firstly I couldn't take it but after your review I listened them all one by one. and guess what, I totally loved the album! Thank you
I had a long car drive yesterday, and I already listened to the album. But in the car ride, i decided to spark up a joint and listen to this album. I was not prepared for the intense emotions I would feel listening to this album under the influence of weed while driving a car, where I'm forced to pay attention to the music. It was insane, heart breaking, and confusing. It felt as if I was on the cusp of a horrible high at all times, like it would trigger the worst of my anxiety. But at the same time, it felt as if I had to keep going, because I was on the verge of discovering a new emotion I never felt. It was such a bizarre experience.
As another human being with wife and kids, for the love of God please don't operate a vehicle while stoned. I don't care if you think you're good. Just please wait until you get where you're going. Sorry just had to say that
This album was great, only song I didn't like too much was beautiful morning, but then again how does anything follow up cosmic? That song legitimately staggered me the first time I heard it. Towards the back end when the band drops the creeping sound and start up again I literally, physically gasped when the drums kicked in again. God what a beautiful song.
When you brought up the cohesiveness of the album, I had the same impression, but thought "of course isn't that something that should always be considered?" The placing of the songs, the messages, the journey through the album so to speak. It's just as important as writing one song. But saying that made me realize I don't notice this attention to detail as much anymore in albums from even some of my fav bands. It really makes you appreciate it that much more. There is so much to delve into I can't wait to spend more time with it. Love the complexity. And these types of vids you do, cheers
I'm totally with you there, mate. LIBAD is an insane piece of art. Blew me away. I loved The Stage, and I would argue that LIBAD is a logical yet beautifully weird continuation of what they started back in 2016. This is another one of those new and different but still very A7X-y albums.
Honestly not a huge Avenged fan, but I saw the title of your video, didn't watch your video yet, just saw the title, and listened to the album on the way to work. Wow! This is what I was missing for years! Incredible album which is beautiful in its entirety. Thanks for getting me into this great piece of art.
I'm only a minute and a half into your video. I' really excited to listen to this album. Your take so far reminds me of when I heard the newest Coheed album. Great song writing, great riffs, great lyrics, great solos, but also, not at all what people might expect. I mean there are two straight up pop songs on that album that might have been written by The Weekend. Best album they have ever done. Love your integrity on this, and balls out honesty so far. FYI the only time I've felt like this recently apart from this album is Rosalia's second album. I'm a flamenco fan and her first album was great lofi flamenco. Then the second album dropped and it was simultaneously an amazing pop album, loads of weird tracks, the history of spanish music, and an opera. Can't wait
Im stoked to see you so excited about this album! Personally, I am conflicted about it. I am a huge A7X fan (they surprisingly ended up being my top artist on spotify 3 years in a row even though I always expected it to be someone else haha) and enjoy most of everything they have ever put out (favorite two albums of theirs are Waking the Fallen and The Stage, with the Stage being number one now). I generally really enjoy albums like this, because I think they can have some of the most imaginative moments (Between the Buried and Me is a group that really works for me most of the time in this way), but there are a couple of things about this one that hold it back for me: Firstly, and I am aware this is a strong personal bias, but I really don't like how almost all of the vocals on this album have some type of filter/effect. It makes it much harder to discern Shadows' vocal melodies, to the point where it almost doesn't sound like he is really singing that many different notes. Secondly, I feel like an album like this requires a pretty strong vocal range and vocal style (again, something that includes both heavy and clean vocals), and I'm not sure if Shadows' vocal capacity is strong enough to do that effectively at this point (he is for sure one of my favorite singers, but his range has appeared to become more limited in the last 10 years). I agree that it is probably best consumed in one sitting, which I gladly did for my first listen, but those two aspects (bear in mind I don't really care about lyrics in any songs, for me the vocals are another instrument that can add great texture to the song) are probably going to continue to leave me at odds about this one. Like all of their albums though, I expect it to grow on me more and more (I only really listened to a handful of songs off The Stage until about 2019, when it ended up ultimately being my favorite album of theirs by far).
I haven’t heard this album yet, so I’ll reserve judgement. But for me, I’ve always found it difficult to get past M. Shawdows vocals. They just aren’t my cup of tea and I think the lack of range and versatility plays a large role in my distaste for his singing and unfortunately their music in general.
The last song blew my mind, kind of lost my patience after (D)eath and I wanted to skip to another track, but after I realized that the last song was a solo classical piano piece all my impatience just faded away and I just listened to the end of it. Glad I was sober when I listened to this album because I think that I couldn’t have handed the first listen high
If you want your mind kinda blown, try listening in reverse order. It's a descension into chaos, ironically ending with Game Over, closing with the lyric "Can't you see, Life is but a dream, anyway". I only listen this way since I've tried it.
I'm really happy that so many people loved the album , I didn't honestly and I am a fan , just not the type of music I enjoy , but great work , good for them
This album is 'A Night at The Opera' of Heavy Metal at the 2020'. They wanted to make some new thing like the Queen did it at 1970' with the Rock music. Did it very well.
Cosmic doesn’t deserve to be on an album like this, what an insane song. One of the best songs they’ve ever written and blows every other song out of the water.
It's fucking amazing, I still love easily digestible core riffs but sometimes it's nice to hear intricate tunes with good headphones and get taken to another place. It may not be my favorite of theirs. But it is by far their most incredible piece if that even makes sense
Hey man, you're cool, love you...all your videos. I've never been a fan of these guys, because I'm so old, but when I heard this album, I was pretty blown, blown, blown away! Love it. I always agree with you bro.
Okay I can’t be the only one who just didn’t like this album right? It just feels unfinished, like there’s hardly any cohesive ideas on any of these songs. Nothing flows together either, they’re all just different for the sake of being different. If you disagree fine but I’m extraordinarily disappointed with this project.
I think you summed up things quite nicely here and I agree with pretty much all your observations. Ive pretty much been playing it non-stop since yesterday. It is so cool to see the band I started with Waking The Fallen mature and evolve to The Stage and now LIBAD. One thing I GUARANTEE - Jimmy would approve of EVERY track on this one
