Hail to the King by Avenged Sevenfold | Teen Ink

Hail to the King by Avenged Sevenfold MAG

September 4, 2013
By Trace.C.Schuelke PLATINUM, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Trace.C.Schuelke PLATINUM, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
26 articles 0 photos 22 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Secrets are secrets for a reason, and some do not wish to see them uncovered. Especially when the secrets are particularly unseemly..."


After a three-year hiatus, Avenged Sevenfold is back with their long-awaited album “Hail to the King.” Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, the group decided to strip things down and go for a simpler approach, a major risk in the music industry. However, their efforts were not in vain, as “Hail to the King” may just be Avenged Sevenfold’s best album to date.

Diehard fans won’t be disappointed, because while the band has gone for a simpler, harder rock feel, every element of their style has been maintained. The album kicks off with “Shepherd of Fire,” featuring a slow, almost orchestral opening, followed by the classic Sevenfold style fans have come to love. From there, things only get hotter with the title track, “Hail to the King.” “Doing Time,” “This Means War,” and “Requiem” follow, each presenting a variety of riffs, rhythms, and guitar solos sure to induce instant head-banging.

After this, the album arrives at “Crimson Day,” a softer, more emotional piece. This stands out – the lyrics are beautiful and the overall feel is somber and almost sweet.

Then the album spirals back to classic Sevenfold with “Heretic,” “Coming Home,” and “Planets.” As with the first four songs, each is varied yet maintains Avenged Sevenfold’s style.

At the last spot on the album, but far from the least, we have “Acid Rain.” This track will turn the heads of most listeners. Instead of embracing a hard-rock vibe, “Acid Rain” is a slow, piano-based song. While it’s not the style Sevenfold fans have come to know and love, it’s beautiful and more than worth spamming the replay button for.

“Hail to the King” had monumental standards to live up to, especially after the long wait. However, it far exceeds all expectations from the moment you hit the play button. Every track is a new piece of amazing music, from the heavy-riff-based “This Means War” to the melodic and orchestral “Requiem” and the gorgeous “Acid Rain.”

Avenged Sevenfold has created another musical masterpiece; “Hail to the King” deserves every bit of praise it receives. I strongly recommend it to any Sevenfold fan, or rock fan in general, as the variety will appeal to all kinds of audiences. This is an absolute must-have.


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This article has 5 comments.


on Nov. 15 2014 at 5:27 pm
StevenSchwope BRONZE, San Antonio, Texas
4 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
My heart is a colored pencil, but my brain is an eraser.

Well done!  

on Nov. 15 2014 at 5:22 pm
Olivia-Atlet ELITE, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
325 articles 10 photos 1165 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To these the past hath its phantoms,<br /> More real than solid earth;<br /> And to these death does not mean decay,<br /> But only another birth" <br /> - Isabella Banks

Ooh, they sound pretty cool! My friends are always talking about them, so I may just have to go listen to a bit of them! I love your writing style, and congrats on getting in the mag! XD

on Nov. 14 2014 at 2:36 pm
EmilytheBelleofA. DIAMOND, Athens, Georgia
81 articles 5 photos 1486 comments

Favorite Quote:
To love is to be vulnerable; Triumph is born out of struggle; We notice shadows most when they stand alone in the midst of overwhelming light.

Congrats for this getting published, Trace! You deserve it. Haha, what did I say about you being talented?  I just listened to one of their songs, and Avenged Sevenfold I think is one of my many, favorite bands now.  Thank you for sharing this, and again congrats!

east_of_ada said...
on Oct. 5 2013 at 5:50 pm
east_of_ada, Null, Other
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;As for me, I am a watercolor. I wash off.&quot; (via Anne Sexton,&quot;For My Lover, Returning To His Wife&quot;)<br /> <br /> &quot;I think I made you up inside my head.&#039;&#039; (via Sylvia Plath, &quot;Mad Girl&#039;s Love Song&quot;)<br /> <br /> &quot;You called it cosmic; I thought it was icy.&quot; (via Ada Coen)

this is my album omfg, i love A7X and your review makes me want to quit listening to the xx and go  right back to hail to the king~!

on Sep. 24 2013 at 8:20 am
BurrThistle GOLD, Jaipur, Other
10 articles 0 photos 161 comments

Favorite Quote:
Write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect

Thanks for that. I love Avenged Sevenfold but Muse and I are soulmates :)