Nightmare

by Avenged Sevenfold

Overview

Following the death of Avenged Sevenfold drummer James "The Reverend" Sullivan in 2009, the band marched on, enlisting the help of Sullivan's drumming hero, Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, for their fifth studio album Nightmare. Luckily, the sound of the band remains unchanged, and as one of the best drummers in the business, Portnoy picks up the reigns and rides the Deathbat's double kick in complete synchronicity with Gates, Christ, and Vengeance. Like their previous outings, the group incorporates a New Wave of British Heavy Metal influence throughout Nightmare, while paying tribute to '80s hair metal with guitar god appeal; but playing retroactive music doesn't seem to concern them, as long as they play it more skillfully than their forefathers. The group's influences may be worn on their sleeves, but there is no denying that they have some of the best chops in the metal world. Songs shift from their trademark blistering assault to Black album ballads on a dime, M. Shadows continually amazes with his vocal acrobatics, and the opening riff of "Natural Born Killer" ramps up to an inhuman speed. "Save Me" ends the album as one of their most epic songs to date in a proper 21 gun salute, as thunderous blasts and guitar divebombs interweave into a melodic, heartfelt "Tonight we all die young!" outro. It's a fitting tribute for their fallen 28-year-old comrade, and excellent proof of the band's ability. ~ Jason Lymangrover

Product Details

Release Date:	12/22/2023
Label:	Hopeless Records
UPC:	0790692699216
Rank:	10703

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Avenged Sevenfold   Primary Artist
Mike Portnoy   Drums
The Rev   Drums,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Stewart Cole   Trumpet
Sharlotte Gibson   Vocals (Background)
Mike Elizondo   Keyboards
M. Shadows   Vocals
Stevie Blacke   Strings
Zacky Vengeance   Guitar
Rafa Alcantara   Director
David Palmer   Organ,Piano,Keyboards
Synyster Gates   Guitar
Jessi Collins   Vocals (Background)
Johnny Christ   Guitar (Bass)
Dan Fusselman   Color Manipulation
Papa Gates   Guitar,Soloist
The Whistler   Whistle (Human)
Brian Haner, Sr.   Guitar

Technical Credits

Pantera   Arranger,Composer
Ted Jensen   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Terry Date   Mixing,Producer
Andy Wallace   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
Fred Archambault   Engineer
Devin Sarno   Executive Producer
Seward   Composer
Mike Elizondo   Producer
Bruce Dickinson   Composer
Jan Petrov   Mixing Engineer,Mixing Assistant
Allan Hessler   Mixing
Stevie Blacke   Arranger,String Arrangements
Brian Elwin Haner, Jr.   Composer
Avenged Sevenfold   Composer,Producer
David Schiffman   Engineer
Rafa Alcantara   Editing,Photography,Art Direction,Camera Operator
Zachary James Baker   Composer
Matthew Charles Sanders   Composer
Chris Lord-Alge   Mixing
Adam Hawkins   Engineer,Recording
Josh Wilbur   Mixing
Glenn Pittman   Engineer
Guy Charbonneau   Mixing,Engineer
Paul Suarez   Pro-Tools
Jonathan Seward   Composer
Adam Cook   Producer
Larry Jacobson   Producer
Anthony Catalano   Pro-Tools
Chad Carlisle   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Brent Arrowood   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
James Sullivan   Composer
Andy Olyphant   A&R
Casey Goode   Camera Operator
Christian Swegal   Camera Operator
Evin Grant   Camera Operator
Craig Aaronson   A&R
Jim Louvau   Photography
Bobby Mansouri   Camera Operator,Production Consultant
J.P. Lipa   Camera Operator
Michael Venezia   Camera Operator
Michael Totten   Camera Operator
Bryan Haner   Orchestration
Jim Atkins   Authoring
Jonna Terrasi   Contractor,Production Coordination
Ian Charbonneau   Assistant Engineer
Ricky Sanders   Composer
Raena Winscott   Associate Producer
Casey Howard   Cover Art
David Starks   Camera Operator
Brian Haner   Composer
Alicia Black   Production Manager
Tara Beaulieu   Production Coordination
Drew Frizell   Insert,Booklet
Zak Sofaly   Camera Operator
Vincent Pascoe   Camera Operator
David May   Post Producer
Travis Smith   Cover Art,Tray Card Art
Clay Patrick McBride   Band Photo
Hans Rearick   Production Consultant
Dan Fusselman   Camera Operator
Keith Gruchula   Camera Operator
Wendy Griffiths   Executive Producer
Michael Pescasio   Camera Operator
Pete Holub   Camera Operator
Michael Mansouri   Technical Director
Jolie Levine   Contractor,Production Coordination
Danna Kinsky   Camera Operator
Steve Forner   Editing
Matthew Sanders   Composer
Cam Rackam   Paintings,Portraits
D.A. Frizell   Treatments,Illustrations
Matt Fischer   Art Direction,Camera Operator
Jan Petrow   Assistant Engineer
JT Smith   Camera Operator
Omar Zuniga   Camera Operator
Randy Gomez   Camera Operator
Rob Nixon   Camera Operator
Zachary Baker   Composer
Christopher Watson   Camera Operator