ARTIST: Avenged Sevenfold
ALBUM: Waking the Fallen
RELEASED: 2003

RATING: 8/10
STANDOUT TRACKS: "Unholy Confessions ", "Remenissions", "I Won''t See You Tonight: Part 1 "

REVIEW: This is an example of how a band can go from mediocre to awesome in just one album. The band''s last album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet (2000) was primarily filled with mediocre screamo and a scarce few melodic verses thrown in (though admittedly there were a few memorable moments: "Shattered by Broken Dreams", "Warmness on the Soul" and "An Epic of Time Wasted").

Fast forward to 2003, Waking the Fallen is unleashed on the world. Avenged Sevenfold (or A7x as they are commonly referred to) is a much tighter and more cohesive band. Vocalist M. Shadows really proved himself to be quite a versatile vocalist on this album. With vocals ranging from epic heights to grungy and Metallica-esque (not to mention there''s still some screaming in there for you old-school fans), this album really solidifies this band as a force to be reckoned with. The first 4 tracks are the most solid block of songs on the album, but the whole album just rocks. Just like the last one, this album also has a nice epic ballad ("I Won''t See You Tonight part 1 and 2"). Musically, this album is full of guitars and drums that just sound HUGE. The riffage and just general quality of the songs have improved in spades. Overall, a huge improvement and a definite listen.