Life Is But a Dream...
Avenged Sevenfold · 2023
53 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A bold fusion of heavy metal and progressive elements, exploring existential themes through intricate instrumentation and emotive vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Game Over Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Nobody — This track exemplifies the album's thematic depth, wrestling with feelings of isolation while blending haunting melodies with powerful riffs.
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Mattel — A commentary on consumerism wrapped in a catchy chorus, 'Mattel' showcases the band's knack for marrying serious themes with accessible songwriting.
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Life Is But a Dream… — The title track serves as a reflective conclusion to the album, encapsulating its overarching themes of mortality and self-awareness through ethereal soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate songwriting and production but has mixed cohesion and impact.
What we noticed
- The vocal delivery shifts between melodic singing and aggressive growls, with moments of harmony that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- introspective moments for deep listening
- wave-like pacing that captivates attention
- cathartic release through varied soundscapes
- reflective listening during quiet times
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, fast-paced tracks
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a significant departure from earlier metalcore roots with progressive elements.
- Moods
- Introspective· Intense
- Career context
- Released on June 2, 2023, 'Life Is But a Dream...' is Avenged Sevenfold's first studio album since 'The Stage' in 2016. The band has shifted from their earlier metalcore roots toward a more experimental sound, partly due to the passing of drummer Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan and the band's desire to explore deeper lyrical themes and complex musical arrangements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bullet for My Valentine· Trivium· Parkway Drive
Tracklist
- 1 Game Over Start here 3:46
- 2 Mattel 5:30
- 3 Nobody 5:53
- 4 We Love You 6:15
- 5 Cosmic 7:31
- 6 Beautiful Morning 6:32
- 7 Easier 3:37
- 8 G 3:37
- 9 (O)rdinary 2:52
- 10 (D)eath 3:19
- 11 Life Is But a Dream… 4:31
What to play next
The Stage
2016
Continues the experimental soundscapes and thematic depth explored in the current album.
Hail to the King
2013
Sets a strong foundation with heavy metal intensity that leads into the more experimental sounds.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Lateralus
Tool
Shares complex time signatures and existential themes, with a rich sonic tapestry.
Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
Dream Theater
Explores deep narratives through intricate compositions and emotive vocal delivery.
The Living Infinite
Soilwork
Combines heavy metal aggression with melodic elements and introspective lyrics in a progressive framework.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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