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Terzo album in studio per la band americana, che abbandona il metal-core dominante fino al precedente lavoro, per realizzare con "City Of Evil" un album più classico e che vede pure l'alleggerimento del sound.
Questa scelta è stata dettata, a quanto pare dai problemi alle corde vocali del frontman che con i continui urli nel giro di poco tempo avrebbe perso la voce, quindi la scelta di eliminare le parti in growl, cambiando pure di fatto stile.
Il genere è un heavy metal di stampo classico, il che sposta la fascia di papabili consumatori, anche verso chi non è incline al metal in genere, potendo soddisfare quindi palati diversi.
La band ha pure collaborato con i tanto odiati Good Charlotte in un brano dell'ultimo album ("The river") in cui viene fatta cantare una strofa al cantante degli Avenged e questo avrà scatenato le antipatie di molti.
A livello di sonorità di insieme si nota il massiccio usa della chitarra acustica come accompagnamento e a tratti pure c'è l'ausilio di violini e archi, se questa scelta sia azzeccata o meno lascio a voi il dilemma. Naturalmente visto il genere, non mancano nemmeno una lunga serie di assoli e contro assoli.
La cosa che stupisce però è la durata: ben 72 minuti di musica. Bisogna anche dire che le canzoni hanno un piglio coinvolgente e sono abbastanza orecchiabili, anche se purtroppo spesso vengono penalizzate dall'eccessiva durata. La band dimostra di essere creativa, ma a farne le spese sono, (prendendo come riferimento il genere), due elementi chiave: la potenza sonora e appunto la troppa dispersività delle canzoni.
Ma adesso spendiamo qualche pensiero per le canzoni.
Come ogni cd che si rispetti, anche "City Of Evil" ha la sua colonna portante chiamasi "Seize the day" canzone che definirei stupenda, una canzone che di metal poco ha, visto che è una ballata, ma che comunque riesce a prenderti con una melodia accattivante merito anche dell'uso della chitarra acustica e dell'assolo centrale tra i più riusciti dell'intero album.
Canzoni discrete sono "Burn it down" e "Bat country", ma a spiccare è soprattutto "Blinded in chains" (inserita nella colonna sonora di un famoso videogioco di corse). Questa canzone che dura molto, a differenza di altre di durata medio-lunga, riesce a non annoiarti e soprattutto si sente il bel lavoro fatto dal batterista all'inizio e durante la traccia. Non a caso una caratteristica che distingue il gruppo è proprio i molteplici intro di batteria che aprono le canzoni. Pezzo che si conclude con un bel outro oscuro, in cui sembra davvero di sprofondare nelle viscere dell'inferno.
Bene, a questo punto credo che il semplice curioso può andare in basso alla pagina per le conclusioni, per chi invece paziente e interessato al disco, ora darò particolari in merito alle altre song in maniera più dettagliata.
Partiamo con "Beast and the harlot", pezzo di apertura, introdotto da un intro di chitarre che poi farà pure da outro, caratterizzato da una buona linea melodica nei refrain e da un assolo nella prima parte. Segue la più veloce "Burt in down", che con i suoi 4'58 è la track più breve dell'opera.
Saltiamo i due pezzi di cui ho parlato in precedenza e andiamo ad analizzare "Bat country", dagli umori contrastanti, che alterna parti veloci a parti molto lente e dolci e che si conclude in maniera tranquilla. "Trashered and scattered" è invece caratterizzata da un riff roccioso, ma si rivela noiosa, vista pure la mancanza di assoli.
Nella seconda parte del cd, arrivano tutti componimenti lunghi (chi ha parlato di suite?). Ecco "Sidewinder" caratterizzata dal bel solo melodico di chitarra acustica a chiudere il pezzo e "The wicker end" composta con l'ausilio di archi e violini e che vede pure la presenza di canti in stile lirico. Segue la malinconica "Strenght of the world" forse un po' troppo prolissa, che paga l'intro di archi e una parte centrale consistente eseguita con l'orchestra sinfonica, ma che si riscatta in parte nel ritornello. "City Of Evil" arriva nelle battute finali con le ultime "Betrayed" carica di energia e la lunga e rilassata "M.I.A." che fa da chiusura ideale.
In conclusione, come già detto un cd che lascia insoddisfatti, che paga un running time troppo elevato non riuscendo a coinvolgere pienamente nell'arco della sua durata, ma che comunque contiene singolarmente qualche traccia di buona fattura, si farà apprezzare da persone diverse, ma se cercate la pura potenza e suoni più diretti senza fronzoli rivolgetevi altrove.
Elenco tracce testi e video
01 Beast and the Harlot (05:42)
This shining city built of gold, a far cry from innocence
There's more than meets the eye
'round here look to the waters of the deep
A city of evil.
There sat a seven-headed beast, ten horns raised from his head
Symbolic woman sits on his throne
but hatred strips her and leaves her naked
The Beast and the Harlot.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit and every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
The city dressed in jewels and gold, fine linen, Myrrh and pearls
Her plagues will come all at once as her mourners watch her burn
Destroyed in an hour.
Merchants and captains of the world, sailors navigators too
Will weep and mourn this loss with their sins piled to the sky
The Beast and the Harlot.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit, every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
The day has come for all us sinners,
If you're not a servant you'll be struck to the ground.
Flee the burning, greedy city,
Looking back on her to see there's nothin' around.
I don't believe in fairytales and no one wants to go to Hell,
you've made the wrong decision and it's easy to see.
Now if you wanna serve above or be a king below with us,
You're welcome to the city where your future is set forever.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit, every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit, every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
04 Bat Country (05:15)
"He who makes a beast out of himself,
gets rid of the pain of being a man".
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay.
I tried to drive all through the night,
the heat stroke ridden weather, the barren empty sights.
No oasis here to see, the sand is singing deathless words to me.
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone).
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction.
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone).
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention.
As I adjust to my new sights the rarely tired lights
will take me to new heights.
My hand is on the trigger, I'm ready to ignite.
Tomorrow might not make it but everything's all right.
Mental fiction follows me; show me what it's like to be set free.
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone).
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction.
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone).
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention.
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear.
Now take a trip with me
but don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem.
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay.
These eyes won't see the same, after I flip today.
Sometimes I don't know why we'd rather live than die,
we look up towards the sky for answers to our lives.
We may get some solutions but most just pass us by,
don't want your absolution 'cause I can't make it right.
I'll make a beast out of myself, gets rid of all the pain of being a man.
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone).
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction.
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone).
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention.
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear.
Now take a trip with me
but don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem.
I've known it from the start
all these good ideas will tear your brain apart.
Scared but you can follow me
I'm too weird to live but much too rare to die.
06 Seize the Day (05:34)
Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
I see my vision burn, I feel my memories fade with time
But I'm too young to worry
The streets we traveled on will undergo our same lost past
I found you here, now please just stay for a while
I can move on with you around
I hand you my mortal life, but will it be forever?
I'll do anything for a smile, holding you 'til our time is done
We both know the day will come, but I don't want to leave you
I see my vision burn, I feel my memories fade with time
But I'm too young to worry
(a melody, a memory, or just one picture)
Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
Newborn life replacing all of us, changing this fable we live in
No longer needed here so where do we go?
Will you take a journey tonight, follow me past the walls of death?
But girl, what if there is no eternal life?
I see my vision burn, I feel my memories fade with time
But I'm too young to worry
(a melody, a memory, or just one picture)
Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
Trials in life, questions of us existing here
Don't wanna die alone without you here
Please tell me what we have is real
(guitar solo)
So what if I never hold you, yeah, or kiss your lips again? Whooooah
So I never want to leave you and the memories of us to see
I beg don't leave me
Seize the day or die regretting the time You lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
Trials in life, questions of us existing here
Don't wanna die alone without you here
Please tell me what we have is real
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
I stand here alone
Falling away from you, no chance to get back home
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
07 Sidewinder (07:03)
I slide through the wasteland that's my world
My hunger takes your life, preyed on to keep me alive, yeah
Mercy's all that you need, mercy's empty in me
Can't you feel the poison rising out of the morning and clear through the night
You can feel my strength destroy you straight to the heart from the venomous bite
That's right and I shed my skin tonight but my fangs are hard to hide
And you know that you're going to die, yeah
Mercy's all that you need, mercy's empty to me
Can't you feel the poison rising out of the morning and clear through the night
You can feel my strength destroy you straight to the heart from the venomous bite
I can't regret, can't escape decisions made for me, no control
Fire that burns but never dies, wrapped around I'll bury my fangs inside
Making my way through the night you're still in my sight
You're runnin' away cause you know you can't hide
My instincts are cold blooded hate; to you I'm the bearer of fate
Wrong place and now the wrong time, now terror is all that you'll find
Can't you feel the poison rising, straight to the heart from the venomous bite
Can't you feel the poison rising out of the morning and clear through the night
You can feel my strength destroy you straight to the heart from the venomous bite
I can't regret, can't escape decisions made for me, no control
Fire that burns but never dies, wrapped around I'll bury my fangs inside
Stay inside tonight - you're out there all alone
Vanish from my sites - venomous control
You won't make it right - my appetite has grown
Lost your final fight - no love will be shown
Stay inside tonight - you're out there all alone
Vanish from my sites - venomous control
You can't make it right - my appetite has grown
Lost your final fight - no love will be shown
09 Strength of the World (09:16)
My story starts the day they said "she can't be found"
the news so dark, heart stopped, stood silent without a sound
It's over, she's finished, mother lies with my father and sister too
Cold-blooded, they suffered, shot down by the outlaws after you
Sorrow swallows my screams
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
Avenged the dead killed all who cross me in my path
Suicidal, I've never planned on coming back
I want it, I need it, revenge is dripping from my teeth
Need nothin', to feel power, and bring the killers to their knees
Nothin' to lose vengeance to gain (you know I'll never be the same)
So taste my breath I'm close behind you (so desperate on your final day)
Sorrow swallows my screams
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
Sitting in silence with heaven above me I prayed every night by their graves
While I search for closure I feel it no longer
I can't turn my cheek away
I stand before you , I'll sin when I have to
But now I leave your side, to avenge my family's pride
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
So far forever now alone, a greater punishment on me has been imposed
A killer falling from the light, I miss my family, I'll never be alright
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
(whisper)...and thats all she wrote...
10 Betrayed (06:49)
Passion in my eyes, I lived it everyday, but how could you go throw it all away?
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left for me to do
I feel it burn inside, burning me like the rising sun
Lifted into the sky, took away the only thing I loved
I know after tonight all your power crumbles in my arms
So don't worry, I'll be fine, when my life ends, I'll leave this scar
and I felt down I need you there every note and every word seems so hard to take Finally, were destined.
A smoking gun in hand, now don't you realize what you've done
Put a bullet in his back, your hero since you were so young
How could you kill the man who brought salvation through your pain
He must mean everything to end it all this shameful way
Passion in my eyes, I lived it everyday, but how could you go throw it all away?
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left for me to do (finish you)
I started here so young and helped you get along
Just did it for the love, and people healed through us
Don't live your life in vain, don't take it out on me
You're cracked, so just remember, I'm not your enemy
I don't deserve to fall this way, by a man who felt betrayed
I felt so down now you're around to rescue me
Every note and every word i'm listening
Sometimes problems seem too deep to take(too hard to take)
Sometimes I cry thinking my future looks so bleak
Finally, together we were destined, I know what's best for us in the end
Someone hear me, someone stop me, someone listen, why aren't you listening?
Passion in my eyes, I lived it everyday, but how could you go throw it all away?
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left for me to do
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left to finish you
11 M.I.A. (08:45)
Staring at the carnage, praying that the sun would never rise
Living another day in disguise
These feelings can't be right, lend me your courage to stand up and fight, on tonight
Ohhh... tonight
Stand up and fight
The fighting rages on and on, to challenge me you must be strong.
I walk your land but don't belong, two million soldiers can't be wrong
It's no fun but I've been here before
I'm far from home and I'm fighting your war
(Not the way I pictured this, I wanted better things)
Some are scared others killing for fun, I shot a mother right in front of her son
(Take this from my consciousness and please erase my dreams)
Fight for honor, fight for your life
Pray to God that our side is right
Although we won I still may lose, until I make it home to you
I see our mothers filled with tears, grew up so fast where did those years go?
Memories won't let you cry, unless I don't return tonight
So many soldiers on the other side, I take their lives so they can't take mine
(Scared to make it out alive now, murder's all I know)
Nobody tells me all the reasons we're here, I have my weapon so there's nothing to fear
(Another day, another life, but nothing real to show for)
Fight for honor, fight for your life
Pray to god that our side is right
Although we won I still may lose, until I make it home to you
I see our mothers filled with tears, grew up so fast where did those years go?
Memories won't let you cry, unless I don't return tonight
Staring at the carnage, praying that the sun would never rise
Living another day in disguise
These feelings can't be right, lend me your courage to stand up and fight
Watching the death toll rise wondering how I'm alive
Stranger's blood on my hands, shot all I can
There were no silent nights watching your brothers all die
To destroy all their plans with no thought of me (No thought of me)
No thought of me
Ohhhh...
Walk the city lonely, memories that haunt are passing by
A murderer walks your streets tonight
Forgive me for my crimes
Don't forget that I was so young, but so scared
In the name of God and the Country
Carico i commenti... con calma
Altre recensioni
Di Divodark
L'album inizia con "Beast and the Harlot" che passa assolutamente inosservata.
Il maggiore difetto di questo album è la durata: 11 canzoni per più di 70 minuti, veramente troppi.
Di him7x
Quello che troverete dentro City of Evil vi lascerà frastornati, confusi e innamorati di questa band.
Gli A7X colpiscono ancora, destinati a diventare la più grande band al MONDO!!!
Di IcnarF
City of Evil non è né un capolavoro, né una “commercialata” da quattro soldi.
Il vero punto forte di City of Evil: le chitarre, inserito tra i migliori 100 album per chitarra di tutti i tempi da Guitar World.
