As a whole I think Nightmare is a good album but it is very difficult for me to say it is their BEST album. I was first introduced to the band through the video for their single Bat Country to which I was intrigued but not immediately receptive. It wasn’t until after I heard the self-titled album that I found I enjoyed them as a whole and began to work backward through their previous releases. That said in MY opinion, if not for the soul reason of first exposure, I hold the self titled above Nightmare at the minimum. That isn’t to say it’s not a good album, because it is, just not the top in my opinion. On the  5/5 scale I’d give it a solid 3/5.

Breakdown by track. Please note that I am not a musician or a musical expert in any form this is just what I get from listening:

Nightmare- The title track starts off the album with eerie almost music box-y note and dives into an epic and catchy combination with a steady beat. The combination of guitar, vocal and drums makes this an almost typical Avenged track. Portnoy does a fantastic job with mimicry as it is almost impossible not to hear the fallen Reverend in the drums. The groove of the song is a steady one and you can easily bop your head along to it. The lyrics are brilliantly dark and with M Shadows’ gritty vocals it makes it all the more sinister. The solo provided by Gates is a decent one, while not my favorite it is still quality, my attention its more drawn to the bass and the drums supporting him through it. Around the 4:10 minute mark Shadows’ lyrics kinda go ‘lazy’ in my opinion (rhyming every ending word with the next…) before coming back out around 4:55 to something more his caliber and while the song as a whole is not about the death of their brother it is almost easy to mistake it as such.

Quote: ‘It’s a very good album-opening song and features all the accoutrements that you want when you put in an Avenged Sevenfold album: lightning guitar solos, rhythm and melody changes, sick-as-fuck drumming, and something a little longer than your everyday metal song. I also like the piano incorporation at the outro bridge of the song. Incorporating outside instrumentation is something this band has gotten increasingly better at on each album and piano, strings, and backing vocals serve this album well without becoming overbearing.’ -Aaron Titan 411Mania.com

WelcometotheFamily – Starts out with drums and a wicked riff a harder beat/groove to it before it speeds up. The back of the song, more specifically the guitars in chorus sounds like something off the self-titled album (Lost or Unbound specifically) then it kicks into something a little more ‘rough’ sounding with Shadows whispering. I personally love those parts of the song. The combination of all the pieces just fits and gives it a little more of a Waking the Fallen/or older feel to it (I feel like I can’t mention Sounding the Seventh Trumpet because that seems to consistently ‘hard’ for this but I could very well be wrong). The lyrics are catchy and another good song in my opinion. The guitar towards the middle/end is typical Gates speed and ridiculousness. One of the ‘heavier’ songs with a nice combo of feeling from older to new A7X  that just oozes bad-assery in my opinion.

DangerLine – I’m not exactly sure what the band was trying to do here. The song starts off with a drum line and then quickly adds guitar and then hits a typical Avenged style dueling guitar. Then the lyrics start and the instrumentation behind it from the 42 second mark to the 1:05 mark are decent and then they go into something again, reminiscent of Lost or Unbound. The song itself sounds to ‘confused’ to me even at this point. And then they slow it down adding the drum line back in and a trumpet before cutting back out to a dueling guitar. If that wasn’t enough they then pull a page from Guns N’ Roses and have whistling lead the song out. This song is probably tied for least favorite with the song that comes after. It just seems confused and like the odd man out on this record.

BuriedAlive – I refuse to go into an in depth review of this song because I’ve only heard it once. However, that being said it is because I only listened to it once and disliked it so much that I am avoiding listening to it again. The intro is too long. I could take a nap through it, wake up, feel refreshed and all in time to listen to the remainder of the Metallica-lite that is this song (seriously, think of any Metallica song in your head and you pretty much have the idea). It does not grab me at all and in fact bores me I was hoping for it to end, which it seemed to take forever to do. Perhaps my opinions will change one day when I listen to it again on accident when it comes on the shuffle selection of my iPod. But for today this judgment is held as negative.

NaturalBornKiller – Takes us back out of the awful at an almost breakneck speed with a heavy dose of thrash and Shadows’s gutteral ‘scream’ if you can call it that. This song is the distinct twin of Almost Easy with the drums and guitar in a large portion of the song. However, it works. It’s extremely catchy and much like Almost Easy it works for the band. The drums stand out the most to me and there really isn’t much else to comment on apart from the catchy lyrics of Shadows and the usual quality guitars of a song off Self-Titled.

SoFarAway – Brings the tone of the album down to a simple, stripped down blues feel. This by far is the most emotionally raw track on the album and in my opinion that makes it the best. While my boyfriend describes the drums as ‘wankish’ I think they fit for the song. Known as the song written for The Rev by his brother and band mate Synyster Gates, the song is pretty much an open letter. The solos seem to fit nicely and almost have a mournful wine/twang to them. The chorus a relate-able statement for anyone who has lost someone dear to them. From the 3:10 mark on the song seems to amp up emotionally as more is layered into the song and the longer guitar solo kicks up, once again an emotion behind it that almost seems like mourning. Simple but speaks for itself. The final addition of Shadows’ vocals mixed with a lower ‘singing’ and a louder almost scream fits very nicely and adds to both the aspect of pain/emotion. This song itself hits a pretty hard note emotionally for me and I am almost certain that is why I can sit back and enjoy it/listen to it as much as I do. One of the chief complaints I have read by fans is the song’s simplicity but I think that is where the greatness of it lies, it lets more emotion out rather than covering it with fancy guitar, drum or vocals.

GodHatesUs – Hits back to older A7X style with more of a guttural screaming Shadows I’ve heard people say if you like Waking the Fallen/Sounding the Seventh Trumpet/ ‘their older stuff’ you’ll like this song I agree to some extent that it ‘gets back to their roots’ and kicks some ass one of the better songs on the album in my opinion and I appreciate the more scream-y vocals for a change … The tone of the album is amp’d back up with this song. A great deal rougher and grittier (the sound that I enjoy) complete with epic drums and guitar….before it kicks back down for the end of the song. The song as a whole I feel like a response or lash out that some people experience after the death of someone close and that comes through with the all out thrashing of the song.While I think that ending is interesting I would have liked to have seen them end it a little differently, possibly just stop rather than fade.

Victim – Kicks it back down to a slower blues type feel and I feel it starts off with an almost Pink Floyd-y feel. It works but the song, while I feel is trying to mimic So Far Away indirectly in emotion isn’t really working for me that way. It’s hard not to equate the lyrics Shadows delivers as saying the loss of The Rev is a crime. The instrumentals behind him seem more angry than mournful like in So Far Away which I think fits as the song itself comes across as bitter than sad. Looking at this song with the two songs that come before it I believe that the order of emotion would go God Hates Us, So Far Away, Victim. The order going from the initial burst of anger at loss, followed by mourning period, followed by reflection. The guitar solo is decent, again its not something that I am wowed by but it wasn’t bad.

TonightTheWorldDies – I honestly can’t get a handle on this song. I will reserve my review of it for a later date after I listen to it a few more times.

Fiction - This is a decent song provided by the Rev, while I used to say it came in second for favorite on the album it has since been ousted by Natural Born Killer and Welcome to the Family. While it let me down emotionally (yes I’ll admit I was looking for it to hit me harder than it did) it was an interesting song and eerie/off beat in a way that could only be produced by The Rev. Oddly Pinkly Smooth sounding I have read ‘rumors’ that he had in fact started this song while in Pinkly Smooth and ditched it until this album. The piano is catchy and wonderful while adding eerie to the equation without a second thought. The Rev’s vocals, which I thought would give me the hardest time, were, as usual the best thing about the song. I have always loved The Rev’s voice the best out of all the members it isn’t a normal sound and there is something about it that just draws me in and I dare everyone who listens not to get goosebumps or snag a quick intake of breath when he sings ‘let it burn’.  That being said there were some issues I had where they could have used Shadows instead of the Rev’s vocals. He sounds slurred or drunk in portions. Which could just be due to the way he was singing but it wasn’t my favorite sound.While the hype was how oddly clairvoyant they lyrics were that was almost the let down for me. For someone who was singing something ‘from a part of them that seemed to know what was going to happen to them’ they sound kind of empty. Granted. This isn’t The Rev’s fault, he obviously didn’t hype it that way and hopefully didn’t know just how clairvoyant he was being with what he said. Thus, was just singing into a mic and does not come across as heartfelt as I would have expected. The other issue I have a problem with as far as hype was calling it his masterpiece. I feel bad saying so as the ‘masterpiece’ comment was supposed to have come direct from The Rev’s mouth but I have to respectfully disagree naming A Little Piece of Heaven as an all out masterpiece. The fact that ALPoH tops this in ‘masterpiece’ quality does not, however, make it any less of an album favorite for me and as his last work The Rev did well.

Interesting Factoid to share with Friends: There is not a shred of guitar in this song. It is a simple equation of Drum,Piano, String and Vocal.

SaveMe – I honestly can’t get a handle on this song either. I will reserve my review of it for a later date after I listen to it a few more times. Through several more listens I’ve come to enjoy this nearly 11 minute song. It took me focusing on the lyrics and exactly what was being said to appreciate it The guitar and drums are wonderful in themselves once I actually listened to the song and is everything one would expect from an Avenged song. I have to say I enjoy the area around the 4:50 mark more than most into the guitar at the 5:20 mark. While it is hard to get through and not zone out if you can just sit and listen it really is an epic song and I take back my previous statement below and this is a great way to end the album.

LostItAll (Bonus Track) – Sounds like it can fit on both Diamonds in the Rough or Self-Titled and has I want to say the sound of Girl I Know which is distinctly Pantera but I can’t be sure so don’t quote me on that. The song itself ends the album on what I think is a high note if only because I enjoy this song while I am still not sure about SaveMe. However, the song fits comfortably into the niche that Avenged have carved for themselves and without saying too much of consequence I enjoy it.

All in all I think the boys have created something they can be decently  proud of with 9 out of12 songs being ‘good’ to ‘great’ and while it’s not the best it is certainly worth a listen if you get the chance. With Mike Portnoy playing The Rev’s skillfully written pieces how could you go wrong?

Things have been a touch busy lately. I feel a little stretched thin with trying to keep up with all my small side projects, RPs, keeping in contact with people, writing and keeping up DEVIANTUNIVERSITY and my own personal designer blog that I’ve started to neglect you all here. This has moved from a project blog to a personal blog with project updates. My new goal established for this blog is no matter what the entry is about whether it be review or rant it MUST have a piece of media, a project, sketch, drawing, photo whatever to keep you all entertained.

Please do keep checking back as I will update this when I can. And check in on the other 2 sites to see what else is up.

-Skate-

Break it down now.

Got there at 7pm and went in by the pub to get water (which I didn’t end up getting) because I was dying. Me and Matt run into some people we don’t know wearing Streetlight Manefesto shirts and strike up convos about Streetlight, Daniel Bryan, Indie circuit wrestling and where to go to see people after the show (and poster comparison)until its time to go sit down.

Time to go sit down.
Seats are a little further back and slightly more behind the stage than anticipated (So no real chance at TV) but we were on the isle that ended right at the end of the stage so we could run down if wanted.

Tried to steal front row seats less than 10ft from pyro cannons (for those of you who DON’T know I HATE explosions/sudden loud noises. RE: fireworks, pyro, balloons popping, cap guns) and were told by ringside tech crew that THEY were told to ‘duck and cover’ about 10 seconds before detonation and that it is ‘ear shattering’. (Minor hyperventilation occurs)

Got kicked out of seats that weren’t ours so we headed back to ours.
Superstars matches were meh (although I cheered for Yoshi and Goldust. they lost *sadface*). Divas meh. Much Rick Flare ‘Wooing’ was done.

START TIME!
Awesome.
They announced Money in the Bank Match of Hotness that made me need to change my pants. (RandyOrton,JohnMorrison,EvanBourne, and RTruth v. Jericho,Miz,DiBiase, and Edge) We will now call TeamRandy too hot for TV. I mean LOOK AT IT. RANDY followed by JOMO followed by EVAN!

from left: Orton, JoMo,RTruth,EBourne v. DiBiase,Jericho,Edge,Miz

Every time the divas were on or there was a commercial the entire arena started chanting for Daniel Bryan. (Note: I feel there is something going on with his being let go because clearly beating up old men on stage and having them stretchered out in front of small kids isn’t exactly ‘PG’ either WWE)

Meanwhile I’m yelling things at NXT like ‘YOU HAVE MORAL ISSUES GENTLEMEN!!’ and ‘GO MARRY J-HUD OTUNGA!’and a mom across the isle from me is laughing. She then tells me my poster is the best in the section and we all have to work to make sure its seen. <3 Followed by another 8 minutes of talking about who we think are hot and how we have no idea how to cheer for the Money in the Bank match because there is too much hotness.

:Cut to just before MiTB:

So I had my poster which I would hold up before going to commercial and coming in from (and not really during matches as explained by Jordyn in the ‘Poster Etiquette’ notes) and just before the Money in the Bank match old man security comes over and says I can’t hold it up because ‘I’m blocking people’s view and they paid good money ($30) for their tickets.’ So in true Philly fashion I told him to fuck off and did as suggested by the mother (who I had a 10 minute conversation with about my poster and the hotties of the WWE) and went down to the front row edge of the stage to hold up my sign.

After some hair-raising pyro and Edge’s intro, Evan Bourne enters which made me squeal and jump around. So I turn to Matt who was back in our seats to point and mouth that it was Evan… and Jericho’s theme came on.which I did not notice… until HIS explosion of pyro went off causing me to literally duck and cover + scream. Which Matt LOL’d MASSIVELY ABOUT.

:Cue Randy:
:Cue lights from heaven and choir of angels:

OMG HE WAS SEXUAL AND SO CLOSE!!!!! NOM! I’m sure you all can see the match for yourselves on Hulu or something and I suggest you watch it for I will not give anything away but it was SEXUAL! OM NOM NOM! And lets just say there was much jumping around and screaming. I went back to my seat for the match because I had a better view from there. More Lol’z were had as I would scream ‘GO MIZ!’ and realize halfway through he was wrestling Evan so it sounded more like ‘GO MIIIIZZ—OHNOIMEANEVAN!!! er GO BOTH OF YOU!!’

:Cue End of Match and me running down to first row to show Randy poster of love:

Poster. Handmade/Painted. 100% Viper Approved via head nod/bob

Now, my main purpose was to get my poster on TV OR a head bob of approval via BadAss Randy. So you could imagine my heartbreak when he walked head-forward back up the ramp and out of the arena. I was about to turn around and walk back to my seat when his theme blared back on over the system. AND HE CAME BACK to thunderous applause to do his victory stance at the top of the ramp. And that, my friends is when I had my moment.

:The Moment:

Things had quieted as he turned to walk off for the final time so I shot as far out over the seating barrier as I could (keep in mind I’m right on the corner of the stage and the ONLY one in the immediate area with a sign out, almost the only one in the entire area with an ORTON poster… can you believe it? I can’t).
He stops.
He turns to look over our way.
I scream with everything I have ‘RAAAAAANDY!!!!!’
He stops looking around at which point He’s looking.
Right.
At.
Me.
He looks right at me and my poster and stares with his ‘I’m a badass I could kill you, head slightly lowered’ glare for a full ten count before giving a slight nod at me and slithering back into the backstage.

This. Made. The Night.

-fill this area in with me running back up and shaking Matt and screaming about said interaction and confirmation from mom to the left-

Then was the cluster ‘eff that was the end of the show with the NXT jerks running like scared pups and me ignoring security man and throwing up the poster in victory when Randy’s theme came back on. Much screaming was had, and victory poses were made by Cena and Orton (photos were taken of this NOM) and departure with much glaring and stink -eye giving to security mc-im-an-old-man-with-no-friends-who-has-nothing- better- to-do.

Victory Pose ala Viper (yes that FB tag says Sexual)

I was debating attempting to get photos and play creepy-stalker-fan outside of where the guys park but I was just too tired after a full week of running around compounded with no sleep leading into the night before I was ready for home.

But man, I can say that the 4 hours on that poster were so worth the bad ass nod of approval from the Viper himself.

And in another count down…

T-minus 7days

+ Got to see the bro graduate high school yesterday and catch up with the Matt Koller after almost 7 years. Got to have good g-free food that was not a burden on people and a few laughs around the dinner table.

+ I hung out with Wifey and Mander-pants on my  post-birthday and we had tasty food, naps, Eddie&Guinny&Mom-in-law love, dancing of the magic dance variety, ice cream cake, dance parties with boys on roofs while in cars, TURBO ULTRA MAX MAN SALES, miley time and presents!

+I got presents for my birthday from Mom,Dad,Brett, Emily&Steve, Coworkers(in le form of cupcakes!), the Warners and Wifey and Mander-pants. And love and well wishes from many many more.

+ I have Emily, Rhi, and Wifey to keep me level-headed and happy at the moment.

+ I can go home and relax at the end of the day and tomorrow is a new one to start fresh with.

+ I have planned ahead in the event of ‘ifs’.

+ I can still eat sweets and other foods I enjoy.

+ My car did NOT require another $1000 repair and he works fine now.

+ It’s friday.

+ I am going to RAW in almost a week (9 days).

+ I am going to see A7X in August.

+ I have a pool that I might actually visit this weekend.

+ The water heater is fixed and I have hot showers again @ no cost to me.

+ I get to see Emily & Steve in NYC in the fall!

Sorry for the month of radio silence I’ve just been busy at work and then not feeling so inspired when I get home. I had a web comic going for awhile until I broke the site once, had John fix it and then about 2 days later broke it again. The site is now sitting there until I figure out how to fix it.  I sincerely hope all is well with you all out there and I will try extra hard to update here while attempting to get the other site up and running. Perhaps I will just post strips here in the meantime….

Anyway, this week has been kinda crap so far. Ross went to Vegas for a trade show on Monday and I apart from dealing with the normal ‘my boyfriend is away blues’ I’m kinda down from the lack of general contact we’ve had apart from about a text a day letting me know he is alive. Rhi has been a  great help with listening to me and emailing me back  and just being my skack

Emily and Steve have been WONDERFUL this week with the comfort and support. And really I can’t thank them enough. {They even made me their official little sister! } AND if THAT wasn’t enough Steve took the time to draw EMOLL!

By Steve Spikoski {'10}

For those of you who don’t know who EMOLL is. It’s Emily and me {obviously} and ain’t she wonderful!?! This really made my day and helped make me feel so much better after feeling kind of sidelined this week. Alright all. Time to get back to it.

More updates later!

ALSO! If today couldn’t get BETTER my coworkers surprised me with cupcakes for my birthday tomorrow! But not just ANY cupcakes… GLUTEN FREE cupcakes! That taste like REAL cupcakes! OMG. Honestly I feel so loved right now its not even funny!! Today has just gone from overwhelmingly down and dreary to like the most awesome day EVER. I feel so wonderful right now I can’t even explain!

G-free cupcakes from coworkers! <3

<3

For now have an image of the car’s:

So here is the current post on DeviantUniversity.com. A filler of Metas. If you have a meta you are in here. I’m quite pleased with this but still need to figure out a way to make coloring and inking on the computer faster and easier. I’ve read some tutorials but seem to be doing them wrong. I may just have to invest in a lightbox and re-draw and scan the line-art to make it cleaner. Probably something I can do this weekend. I’ve been attempting to futz around with character style and drawing/inking types lately and just seem to be frustrating myself. Oh well. It’s all for the good of learning right? Right.

On a side note, both post’s for today have titles ripped from songs in Repo! The Genetic Opera. Julie introduced me to it and I have fallen in love. Go watch it right now. It is free on both Comcast and Verizon Fios and its worth it.

Lof.

Not in so great a mood so I’m keeping this post short. More later. Werd.