Alright, so if your an Avenged Sevenfold fan, this is a definite must get. All around, I was not disappointed with any of the content. I rememeber when this was just announced, I heard a few people saying it was just a "cash in" from Taste of Chaos. I knew it wouldn't be, and they definitely did not disappoint.
First, I want to go on with a brief review of the Live DVD. Their live songs are amazing. After watching a few of the live videos from the City of Evil era and then watching this DVD, you can definitely see thier growth as a band. "Afterlife" was probably the most impressive of them, with Shadows doing some awesome vocals, while the Gates still doesn't let down with his blistering guitar stylings. "Scream"'s solo, as Gates said in the MVI, was his most difficult solo and knew he was going to have trouble with it live. He nailed the solo, but you can tell he still finds it difficult. I know someone out there who is a die-hard old school guitarist fan and hates newer guitarists who are good (i know someone like that...) who will probably use it to say he's bad and stuff. Let them have thier opinion, but from what I have heard Gates is doing all the stuff the old school guitar gods did, and then some. He has potential. Also remember, "Afterlife" is blistering awesome and "Scream", despite how it sounds, is all picked...neither tap at all.
During their lives shows, they show some recognition for their fans. Sure, its common to do that, but suprisingly, its not all that common. They even invited someone up to sing thier cover of "Walk" and then let him chill backstage afterwards. I also was really impressed by "Seize the Day". The song itself is awseome, but the fact that all the members did the vocals throughout the song, plus the camera and lighting effects made it really, really inspiring. "A Little Piece of Heaven" was also cool in that they all sang too.
Overall, this was a very impressive Live DVD. Definitely Avenged at their best. My only critique is the lack of Gates' live solo. That, however, is not a critique of the DVD, rather the entire tour. Gates is an amazing guitarist and I wish he still did live solos so people could see his talent.
Now, onto the B-side DVD: Diamons in the Rough.
The Track listing is as follows:
1) Demons
2) Girl I know
3) Crossroads
4) Flash of the Blade
5) Until the End
6) Tension
7) Walk
8) The Fight
9) Dancing Dead
10) Almost Easy (CLA Mix)
11) Afterlife (Alternate Version)
Each song on this B-Side is awesome. "Girl I Know" is a good and catchy song, but the reason this is probably my favorite song Diamonds in the Rough because of the sweeps the Gates does during the chorus. They are extremely fast, and unbelievably clean. The cleanest sweeps I have ever heard. I really don't think anyone can listen to them and say they are sloppy at all. "Dancing Dead" is a rather catchy song, while "Until the End" is another ballad song to add to A7X's repitoir that is reminiscent (at least to me) of Guns N' Roses style ballads. I can't put my finger on which one it reminds me of though. "The Fight" reminds me alot of "Lost", since they have similar premises. "Flash of the Blade" is from Kerrang's Maiden Heaven CD. While it is definitely not the best cover on that album, it is definitely one of the top 3 covers on that album. The vocal styles in that song remind me of Dee Snider's from Twisted Sister, probably the first time TS and A7X have been compared. Without a doubt, the alternate version of "Afterlife" is the best song on the B side. When the track listing was revealed, I assumed the alternate version was going to be the Raido edit version, with all the best parts cut out. I was very pleased to find out it wasn't. I really love how this song starts off with guitars and as the song progresses by sections, the guitars are taken away and they are entirely replaced by strings at teh very end. They both are present throughout the entire song. I call it the Easy Listening version of "Afterlife" even though it is remarkably similar to the original.
Overall, I am amazed by some of the songs that didn't make their self titled album. The fact that I was disappointed that some of these didn't make the actual album makes me really impressed by thier song writing skills. The song quality made this B side Really Impressive.
Overall, I would give this CD the same rating as I did thier Self titled: 5 Stars/5. I almost want to go higher because I actually like the B side alot more than their self titled, which is also funny, becasuse I sitll adore thier self titled as one of the best CD's I have ever bought. Overall, it is definitely a must buy for all AvengeD Fans.
No go out, get it, sit back, and enjoy.
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