Here are two big releases in August that we didn’t have time to cover! Check out what you may have missed out on!
By Taylor Ritchie
Avenged Sevenfold Waking the Fallen: Resurrected
Avenged Sevenfold has been through many highs and lows as a band, but fans of the band’s early days will be salivating at the re-release of their classic sophomore album Waking the Fallen. The re-issue, aptly entitled Waking the Fallen: Ressurected, includes the original album, as well as a second album full of demo versions, live recordings, and some early concert and behind-the-scenes footage.
While the band has a much different sound and fan base today than it did during its Waking the Fallen days, this re-issue undoubtedly brings back much nostalgia for their old fans, and likely the band members themselves. First of all, it was some of their finest work and most popular albums (only arguably second to their third album, City of Evil). However, it heavily exudes their early hardcore and metal roots, lyrical finesse, and unique, complicated drumming and guitar styles that were far superior to any other band during that time. Sevenfold was one of first bands to bring hardcore music to the forefront during the early 2000’s, particularly with the success of this album. It was Waking the Fallen that first turned me on to A7x (as they are affectionately referred to by their fans) and still contains most of my favorite Sevenfold songs and many of their classics, including “Unholy Confessions”, “Eternal Rest”, “Second Heartbeat”, and “Chapter Four”. It is exciting and nostalgic to hear the early blazing guitar solos, double bass drumming, and raspy growling vocals that would become Sevenfold’s trademark sound in the years to come, and which they would fine-tune for City of Evil.
Perhaps the most special aspect of this re-issue is the extra footage of demos and behind the scenes material featuring Sevenfold’s late drummer and primary songwriter Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Avenged Sevenfold was truly his personal vision and passion project, and his death at the height of their success has left an obvious void in their musical endeavors since his tragic and untimely passing. So while the re-issue serves as a sentimental must-buy for fans of the band’s early days, it also serves as a touching tribute to the man who made Avenged Sevenfold possible and left the world of hardcore and alternative music far too soon in a tragic loss of exceptional talent.
[Rating: 4/5]
Frnkiero andthe Cellabration Stomachaches
Many fans were heartbroken last year to hear of the sudden disbandment of theatrical and grandiose alternative band My Chemical Romance. After four distinctively unique, ambitious, and successful conceptual albums, the band called it quits—only to have each member announce their respective solo projects shortly thereafter. While we can expect a completely different and distinctive sound from each member, the first to be released is guitarist Frank Iero’s. His new project, an alternative punk band called FrnkIero andthe Cellabration, just released their first album Stomachaches, which includes their first two singles—“Weighted” and “Joyriding”. Iero is no stranger to taking over the role as front man (having previously fronted punk bands Leathermouth and Pencey Prep), and to top it off, the punk genre actually suits him quite nicely and is a brilliant direction for him to embark on as a solo artist.
While fans are inevitably still bitter about MCR, Stomachaches is a release both thrilling and relieving for fans of the band. Solo albums can be very much hit or miss, but Frank Iero has pleasantly surprised everyone with a true gem of a debut. The record is both clever and impressive, and his former fans are receiving the album with praise despite the drastic change in genre. Now that Stomachaches is out and former My Chemical Romance lead vocalist Gerard Way has released a handful of already acclaimed songs from his highly anticipated, major-label solo debut album Hesitant Alien (out on September 30th), hopefully My Chemical Romance fans everywhere will finally be able to begin healing their wounds.
[Rating: 4/5]
