Dopo circa un anno dall'uscita dell'omonimo album, gli Avenged Sevenfold tornano con un disco che raccoglie le B-sides inedite dell'ultimo lavoro, due cover, un paio di remix e due brani dal vivo. Naturalmente non lo considero come una tappa discografica del gruppo, pensa sia invece giusto ascoltarlo con la curiosità di scoprire cosa avrebbero proporci nel disco vero e proprio.
Si parte con ''Demons'', canzone ''alla Avenged'', con una melodia molto orecchiabile nel ritornello, che forse risulta un pò dispersiva nei suoi 5 minuti e più di durata. La seconda traccia è ''Girl I Know'', davvero buona, l'unica pecca è un riff un pò troppo 'ispirato' a ''Beast And The Harlot''. Il terzo brano è ''Crossroads'', altra canzone che contiene diversi elementi del loro stile, in particolare, vi sono qui mescolate le caratteristiche di due album, ovvero, ''Waking The Fallen'' e ''City Of Evil''. Eccoci quindi a ''Flash Of The Blade'', registrata e inclusa nel disco-tributo agli Iron Maiden ''Maiden Heaven''; cover che non si discosta molto dall'originale, pur avendo una lieve impronta personale.
La quinta canzone è ''Until The End'' che secondo me è il vero 'diamante' di questo ''Diamond In The Rough'': rock-ballad degna di una Seize The Day, che avrebbe, a mio avviso, meritato l'inserimento nell'ultimo disco; l'ascolto è coinvolgente, anche per le sensazioni che racchiude e che vengono sprigionate nei ritornelli e nell'assolo, sempre con la grinta tipica di questo quintetto. ''Tension'' passa seza infamia e senza lode, mentre la settima canzone consiste nella cover della panteriana ''Walk'' incisa e pubblicata nel 2006 su una compilation della rivista ''Kerrang!''. Inferiore all'originale di darrel e soci, ma comunque ben eseguita e ricca ancora del sound 'cattivo' che l'hanno resa celebre.
La seguente ''The Fight'' conferma il livello tuttavia buono di questa raccolta, ma è con la successiva ''Dancing Dead'' che si raggiunge, secondo me, l'altro picco del lavoro: riff potente, un chorus che difficilmente non entra in testa e uno stacco centrale da maestri che introduce l'assolo; tutto questo per riagganciarsi rabbiosamente con la parte precedente della canzone e sancirne la chiusura, con una mini-sezione più calma, sfiorando i 6 minuti.
Le ultime quattro tracce consistono in due riproposizioni di ''Almost Easy'', una versione alternativa di ''Afterlife'', pressochè identica all'originale con qualche cambiamento nelle parti degli archi e le linee di chitarra nelle strofe, e una ''Bat Country'' tratta dal concerto di Fresno che, insieme all'esecuzione di Seattle di ''Almost Easy'', cattura in modo efficace l'energia che questa band comunica nei suoi concerti. Spenderei ancora due parole per il remix di ''Almost'' in studio: il grosso del lavoro, più che sul sound della sezione strumentale, è stato svolto sul cantato di Shadows, reso più duro e aggressivo.
Un disco che si lascia ascoltare; lo consiglio a chi già conosce gli Avenged Sevenfold e i loro album, e che magari hanno curiosità di ampliare ciò che già si sa sul quintetto californiano
Elenco tracce testi e video
02 Critical Acclaim (06:06)
quiet, might piss somebody off like me motherfucker, youve been at it for too long while you feed off all this insecurity you stand in front of me and bite the hand that feeds (self-righteousness is wearing thin) lies inside your head your bestfriend (ill bleed but not for fellow man) broken glass, your fake reflection telling them its all for something real dont forsake the words you speak, youve gone too far, acclaim so how does it feel to know that someones kid in the heart of america has blood on their hands, fighting to defend your rights so you can maintain the lifestyle that insults this family's existance well, where I'm from we have a special salute we wave high in the air towards all those pompous asses who spend their days pointing fingers quiet, might piss somebody off like the heartbeat of this country when antagonized too long ill be damned if you count me in as part of your generous hypocracy collected in a maze (tabloid gossip, we want less real) theres no need for us to bury you (selfish agenda, once again) right this way, deter your own grave telling them its all for something real dont forsake the words you speak, youve gone too far, acclaim all the way from the east to the west we've got this high society looking down on this very foundation constantly reminding us that our actions are the cause of all their problems pointing the fingers in every direction blaming their own nation for who wins elections theyve never contributed a fucking thing to the country they love to criticize excuse the unclean, ignore the untrue depictions we see, try and get through and many mistakes cant hurt im not the last but i sure aint the first quiet, might piss somebody off (self-righteousness is wearing thin) lies inside your head your bestfriend (ill bleed but not for fellow man) broken glass, your fake reflection telling them its all for something real dont forsake the words you speak, youve gone too far, acclaim
03 Second Heartbeat (05:07)
We keep writing talking and planning,
but everything is changing.
We all know what to do but no one does it.
Now this time has passed and full of regret.
Two in my heart have left me a while, I stand alone.
When they get back, it won't be the same
My life, you've always been there.
Now you're gone and my head's spinning.
Left the childhood, left the memories,
left the good times in the past.
Moving on... your time has run out.
Wishing the clock would stand still, the world can wait.
Wasting away once again, once lived as friends.
As time passes by, regrets for the rest of my life.
The ones who I confide were gone in the black of the night.
Never will I forget you, and all the memories past.
So rarely I get to see your face.
Growing I looked to you in guidance.
We knew that time would kill us,
but you're still so close to me.
To me you were my life.
To me you were my soul companion.
Now you are so far away.
Nothing can take away the time and the memories we had.
Come back - to the days when we were young,
Come back - to the days when nothing mattered.
04 Afterlife (07:33)
Like walking into a dream,
So unlike what you've seen
So unsure but it seems,
’Cause we’ve been waiting for you
Fallen into this place,
just giving you a small taste
Of your afterlife here so stay,
you'll be back here soon anyway
I see a distant light, but girl this can't be right
Such a surreal place to see so how did this come to be
Arrived too early
And when I think of all the places I just don't belong
I've come to grips with life and realize this is going too far
I don't belong here, we gotta move on dear
Escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm right to move on and on
Far away from here
A place of hope but no pain, perfect skies but no rain
Can't leave this place but refrain, ’cause we've been waiting for you
Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste
Of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway
This peace on earth's not right
(With my back against the wall)
No pain or sign of time
(I’m much too young to fall)
So out of place don't wanna stay,
I feel wrong and that's my sign
I've made up my mind
Gave me your hand but realized I just wanna say goodbye
Please understand I have to leave and carry on my own life
I don't belong here,
I gotta move on dear
Escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm right to move on and on,
Far away from here
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light,
And I’d hope you might
Take me back inside
when the time is right
Loved ones back home all crying cause they're already missing me
I pray by the grace of God that there's somebody listening
Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be
(I am unbroken; I’m choking on this ecstasy)
Oh Lord I'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me
(Unbreak me, unchain me, I need another chance to live)
I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear
Escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm right to move on and on,
Far away from here
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light,
And I’d hope you might
Take me back inside
When the time is right
06 Scream (06:24)
Caught up in this madness too blind to see
Woke animal feelings in me
Took over my sense and I lost control
I'll taste your blood tonight
You know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me baby
but know it's too late you've wasted all your time, yeah
Relax while you're closing your eyes to me
So warm as I'm setting you free
With your arms by your side there's no struggling
Pleasure's all mine this time
You know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me baby
but know it's too late you've wasted all your time
Cherishing, those feelings pleasuring
Cover me, unwanted clemency
Scream till there's silence
Scream while there's life left, vanishing
Scream from the pleasure unmask your desire
perishing
We've all had a time where we've lost control
We've all had our time to grow
I'm hoping I'm wrong but I know I'm right
I'll hunt again one night
You know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me baby
but know it's too late you've wasted all your time
Cherishing, those feelings pleasuring
Cover me, unwanted clemency
Scream till there's silence
Scream while there's life left, vanishing
Scream from the pleasure unmask your desire
perishing
Some live repressing their instinctive feelings
Protest the way we're built don't point the blame on me
Scream, Scream, Scream the way you would
if I ravaged your body
Scream, Scream, Scream the way you would
if I ravaged your mind
Cherishing, those feelings pleasuring
Cover me, unwanted clemency
Scream till there's silence
Scream while there's life left, vanishing
Scream from the pleasure unmask your desire
perishing
07 Seize the Day (07:55)
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)
08 Walk (02:11)
Can't you see I'm easily bothered by persistence
One step from lashing out at you...
You want in to get under my skin
And call yourself a friend
I've got more friends like you
What do I do?
[Pre]
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been
Belong
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself, by yourself
Stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
[Chorus]
Respect, walk
Run your mouth when I'm not around
It's easy to achieve
You cry to weak friends that sympathize
Can you hear the violins playing you song?
Those same friends tell me your every word
[Pre]
[Chorus]
Are you talking to me?
No way punk
09 Bat Country (06:01)
"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.
10 Almost Easy (05:38)
I feel insane
Every single time
I'm asked to compromise
Cause I'm afraid
and stuck in my ways
And that's the way it stays
So how long did I expect love
To out weigh ignorance
By that look on your face I may
Have forced the scale to tip
I'm not insane, I'm not insane
I'm not insane, I'm not, not insane
(Mother)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(Said it all)
Come back again
It's almost easy
Shame pulses through my heart
From the things I've done to you
It's hard to face
But the fact remains
That this is nothing new
I left you bound and tied
With suicidal memories
Selfish beneath the skin but
Deep inside I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not, not insane
(Mother)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(Said it all)
Come back again
It's almost easy
(You'll learn your lesson)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(But first you fall)
Come back again
It's almost easy
Now that I've lost you
It kills me to say
(Hurts to say)
I've tried to hold on
As you've slowly slipped away
I'm losing the fight
I've treated you so wrong
Now let me make it right
(Make it alright)
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not, not insane
(Mother)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(Said it all)
Come back again
It's almost easy
(You'll learned your lesson)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(But still you'll fall)
Come back again
It's almost easy
11 Gunslinger (04:30)
Yeah, you've been alone
I've been gone for far too long
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
Never let it show
The pain I've grown to know
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
Letters keep me warm
Helped me through the storm
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
I've always been true
I've waited so long just to come hold you
I'm making it through
It's been far too long, we've proven our
Love over time's so strong, in all that we do
The stars in the night, they lend me their light
To bring me closer to heaven with you
(Bring me closer)
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
And with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
12 Unholy Confessions (07:25)
I'll try, she said as he walked away.
Try not to lose you.
Two vibrant hearts could change.
Nothing tears the being more than deception,
Unmasked fear.
I'll be here waiting tested but secure.
Nothing hurts my world,
Just affects the ones around me
When sin's deep in my blood,
You'll be the one to fall.
I wish I could be the one,
The one who won't care at all
But being the one on the stand,
I know the way to go, no one's guiding me.
When time soaked with blood turns its back,
I know it's hard to fall.
Confined in me was your heart
I know it's hurting you, but it's killing me.
Nothing will last in this life,
Our time is spent constructing,
Now you're perfecting a world... meant to sin.
Constrict your hands around me,
Squeeze till I cannot breathe,
This air tastes dead inside me,
Contribute to our plague.
Break all your promises,
Tear down this steadfast wall,
Restraints are useless here,
Tasting salvation's near.
13 A Little Piece of Heaven (10:56)
Before the story begins, is it such a sin,
For me to take what's mine, until the end of time
We were more than friends, before the story ends,
And I will take what's mine, create what God would never design
Our love had been so strong for far too long,
I was weak with fear that something would go wrong,
Before the possibilities came true,
I took all possibility from you
Almost laughed myself to tears,
(Ha hahahahaha)
Conjuring her deepest fears
(Come here you fucking bitch)
Must have stabbed her fifty fucking times,
I can't believe it,
Ripped her heart out right before her eyes,
Eyes over easy, eat it, eat it, eat it
She was never this good in bed even when she was sleeping
Now she's just so perfect I've never been quite so fucking deep in
It goes on and on and on,
I can keep you looking young and preserved forever,
With a fountain spray on your youth whenever
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
Now possibilities I'd never considered,
Are occurring the likes of which I'd never heard,
Now an angry soul comes back from beyond the grave,
To repossess a body with which I'd misbehaved
Smiling right from ear to ear
Almost laughed herself to tears
Must have stabbed him fifty fucking times
I can't believe it
Ripped his heart out right before his eyes
Eyes over easy, eat it, eat it, eat it
(Eat the shit out of it)
Now that it's done I realize the error of my ways
I must venture back to apologize from somewhere far beyond the grave
I gotta make up for what I've done
'Cause I was all up in a piece of heaven
While you burned in hell, no peace forever
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
[Maniacal laughter]
I will suffer for so long
(What will you do, not long enough)
To make it up to you
(I pray to God that you do)
I'll do whatever you want me to do
(Well then I'll grant you one chance)
And if it's not enough
(If it's not enough, If it's not enough)
If it's not enough
(Not enough)
Try again
(Try again)
And again
(And again)
Over and over again
We're coming back, coming back
We'll live forever, live forever
Let's have wedding, have a wedding
Let's start the killing, start the killing
(You fucking bitch)
[Maniacal laughter]
"Do you take this man in death for the rest of your unnatural life?"
"Yes, I do"
"Do you take this woman in death for the rest of your unnatural life?"
"I do"
"I now pronounce you..."
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start, oh,
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
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