Customer Ratings & Reviews

Not every artist can successfully pull off a “surprise” album. It has been done before, usually by superstar artists. Avenged Sevenfold, whose last two albums (2013‘s Hail To The King and 2010’s Nightmare) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, have the history and fan base to be able to do something like that. And while The Stage wasn’t a complete surprise, the timing of the release was earlier than most expected. A few weeks ago the band released the single “The Stage,” and there was a supposed leak by a friend of the band, Fozzy frontman and WWE superstar Chris Jericho, that the disc was going to be called Voltaic Oceans and be released Dec. 9. To add even more confusion, there was the announcement of a compilation album to be issued Dec. 2 of material from the four albums Avenged Sevenfold released with Warner Bros. Then, during a concert in Hollywood, Calif., from the roof of the Capitol Records building (A7X’s new record label) on Thursday night that was streamed worldwide, the band announced the immediate release of The Stage, confirming information that leaked earlier that day, The announcement was a lot to absorb, and so is The Stage. Its eleven songs clock in at just under 75 minutes, the band’s longest release to-date. It’s also their first release with drummer Brooks Wackerman (ex-Bad Religion), who replaced Arin Illejay. Wackerman’s style works really well on this album. The Stage is epic in both length and ambition. It’s Avenged Sevenfold’s first concept album, with the theme of artificial intelligence. It was inspired by the works of Carl Sagan and Elon Musk and includes a spoken word piece written and delivered by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the famed astrophysicist. The title track, aptly enough, sets the stage for what’s to come. It takes a while to kick in, and there are plenty of detours,instrumental breaks and shifts in the track’s eight plus minutes. “Sunny Disposition” has a different vibe provided by a horn section that augments the guitars. “God Damn” is the album’s shortest and most straightforward song, while “Creating God” features an extended guitar solo. Throughout the album, axemen Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance deliver memorable performances, whether it’s flashy solos, creative fills or basic riffs. “Angels” and “Roman Sky” are the requisite ballads, with the latter including strings and a cinematic atmosphere. They are contrasted by plenty of heavy songs. While some streamlining would have benefited The Stage, the lyrical concept is compelling enough to overlook a little self-indulgence. After working with Mike Elizondo on their past two albums, this time around A7X co-produced the record with Joe Baressi (Chevelle, Coheed and Cambria). Baressi has worked with Wackerman before, having produced Bad Religion’s New Maps of H*ll (2007) and The Dissent of Man (2010). The production is rock solid, as the album sounds crisp and dynamic. The album closes with the nearly 16 minute “Exist,” an opus that runs the gamut from thrash to ambient to power ballad to arena rock anthem and wraps up with deGrasse Tyson’s spoken word part. The Stage has plenty of what Avenged Sevenfold fans expect, but the band also stretches themselves to explore new musical territories.

The last few albums that A7X had released were, unfortunately, underwhelming. HOWEVER, The Stage shows a true and utterly fantastic return to form that showcases what the bands is known for. Technical prowress combined with stellar songwriting and brilliant rytyhm and lyrics. Thanks for coming back.

Great band.....this latest release presents a concept of creation and the nature of the universe and incorporates a spoken narrative from renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Fantastic!!!! Can't wait to see them in Nashville.

This is a great album! It has quick paced songs, slower paced songs, and get up and workout songs. This is one of my main albums I put on when I work out. I love it! Songs are constantly stuck in my head.

This is just the next evolution of Avenged 7x and in my opinion, one of the best i've seen. Though many people are comparing this album to past albums, this one just like those, has its own unique sound that i'm sure down the road, their future albums will be compared to this masterpiece. It's brilliant. Simply put. The lyrical content has teeth, compared to the whiny love songs that are being overplayed and overdone now days. It makes you question things you normally wouldn't question, like..."is this all real?" or is this part of some sort of simulation?" .It very well could be and it is a viable theory backed up by some of the top scientist and theorists in the world. Its very thought provoking and creates wonder in the listeners head, especially when being listened to with the lyric book by your side. I can't tell you how many times I listened to an Avenged song and i've been like "What the hdll is he saying?!" and when I finally get around to looking up the lyrics, he's saying something intelligent. This album is conceptual, opposed to full on concept. It doesn't follow a story, but it does follow a specific theme very heavily. The first half being conceptual in artificial intelligence, and the second half being more in the realms of space travel and the wonders of the universe. Fascinating and intimidating stuff to do on a record nowadays. Knowing Avenged 7x though, they weren't going to put something out unless they loved it. So I never worry about anything from them. In my opinion, I like all of the Avenged albums equally. Their library of songs is just so diverse now that it makes them such an interesting band to listen to. It's not the same regurgitated music like i know some bands do to "please" their fans.

Best albums post the passing of Doc. Brooks wackerman does an awesome job on the drums. The writing has matured a bit. Synyster Gates rips on the guitar.

The Stage surprised me from beginning to end. I haven't truly enjoyed an Avenged Sevenfold album this much since City of Evil, and there is not a single song I dislike. The lyrics have been stepped up quite a bit, and they tackle some somewhat heady scientific topics with aplomb. There are some cheesy lines, but they are clearly intentional and tongue-in-cheek. The musicianship is entirely different on this album--I would argue that this is Prog Metal, perhaps even just Alternative Rock, as opposed to a more straightforward style--and every song is unique and packs a great hook. The only downside is that Gates' solos, while technically proficient, are more noodley than normal, and they lack soul or much of a melody. Altogether though this is a fantastic album that I will see myself enjoying for years to come.

Great Christmas gift. My wife will love it. Fast delivery

Avenge sevenfold is awesome love all their music!!!

I've been an A7X fan since the Nighmare album. Mostly because my favorite drummer from Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy, filled in for The Rev, who sadly passed away so young. "Creating God" and "Angels" are two highlights I'd pick out, however, the entire album is surprisingly good. I have to give credit that this band are really talented. If you're already an A7X fan, I doubt you'd be disappointed. New fans to their music? I think you're missing out by not owning any one of their albums. A very highly recommended purchase.

This has to be seen as something of a surprise for Avenged Sevenfold fans. New label, new (unexpected) album, and very much of a new sound for the band. Whereas the last release from the band, Hail To The King, found A7X reaching for rock radio and performing songs that recalled a lot of classics (it's not much of a stretch to call it a love letter to Metallica's "Black" album as many songs instantly recall some of those tracks on first listen), The Stage features lengthier songs, more expansive guitar parts, the intricate and intense drumming of new addition Brooks Wackerman (formerly of Bad Religion), and a theme running throughout the album that starts to come out more after listening beyond the first time. It's good to see the band trying out some fresh ideas after the dearth of them that were found on the last album. However, the downside for some of their fans is that songs may not be as memorable compared to the last release, and the hooks on these songs are not as immediate ... but that's to be expected with song lengths typically going beyond 6 minutes per track. In addition, those looking for the metalcore sound of their earlier albums may also be disappointed, as M. Shadows just isn't capable of the harsh vocals that he once was able to produce with ease. Still, this is a very promising release, and it proves that this long running act still has a lot left in the tank 7 albums into their career.

Worth the purchase but not as good as the other offerings from the band. Don't regret buying it at all. Just seems to be lacking something

I love this band and their evolution has been an amazing journey. I am convinced that this is their best work to date. I was blown away upon first listen. These guys remind me of the Metal I grew up on (Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Testament, Overkill, Pantera, etc) and this new one is a solid reminder that this type of music still exists. The musicianship is top notch and the songs are incredible. The album theme really resonates with me and I love the appearance by Neil Degrasse Tyson! Get this album. It is one of the best things you will do!!

While some material sounds familiar, I think it's in part due to A7X having developed a "sound." Of course, you can hear some influences mixed in as well, but I think the band has really grown to a point where they are providing what their fan base expects, ,which can't really be said for a lot of artists (Metallica fans are still waiting for a full return to their early thrash records). I fully recommend this album.

Another excellent CD and better than the last. Every track is good and the band, as always, is full of talent. Not quite the same without the Rev, but definitely still worth listening to and the new drummer is very good. For the most part, it is amazing!. I think the lyrical message more to do with people and the unfortunate fact that there's lots of bad people in the world, who set horrible standards and treat others poorly, rather than what the words appear in the liner. This band makes songs that musical masterpieces in every way

I'm a fair weather fan when it comes to this band, I mostly like them but i think they tend to do too many ballads. I was pleasantly surprised with this album. Production and song writing is very good and mature. No more sleezy rock anthems. I feel like they're definitely trying to prove something with this one. Also drummer Brooks Wackerman is outstanding on this disc. Major step up from Hail to the King.

I've been an A7X fan since 02, I've seen them live many times, I own every cd made by these dudes, so pretty much it's my favorite band.. but this isn't my favorite cd of theirs.. but just like A7X all of their cds sound different and this by far sounds totally different but I like it.. like true musicians they just keep evolving cd after cd.. the more I listen to "The Stage" the more I love it!!

At 1st was not to happy with the album but after reading reviews about how so many people were saying that they felt the same until a few times through, I gave it a chance. No, there are no catchy sing along songs like the other albums always have but it is a good, "mature" album. Lots of different things to hear that you may not catch the 1st time like a really cool riff or a gnarly drum roll.

I've been a fan since 2004 and they never cease to amaze me. The Stage is definitely something worth checking out. It might not be for everyone since this album is more adventurous and out there than any previous release. Brooks does an amazing job as the new drummer and meshes so well with the others in Avenged. I highly recommend this album for everyone to listen at least once. I'm really looking forward to the other songs they will be releasing from this album too.

After listening to this album multiple times since its release, I put it up there with City of Evil, Waking the Fallen, and their self titled album. The theme of The Stage is science and boy does it work. In a way, the album sounds like a metal version of Muse in their Blackholes and Revelations album. Lots of great sounds throughout The Stage and Brookes Wackerman, the newest drummer of A7X absolutely tears it up. I look forward to their next album.