History YMMV / AvengedSevenfold

** "Critical Acclaim" is either SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped on people overly being negative on a war effort while doing nothing worthwhile themselves, or a Fox News worthy rant calling anyone who didn't like UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror unamerican.

** ''Nightmare'' had much deeper lyrics than their previous albums, due mostly to the band's AuthorExistenceFailure making the other band members more emotional.

* CrazyAwesome: '''The Rev.''' Taken UpToEleven with Pinkly Smooth, a side project inspired by Music/MrBungle.

--->''[[FamousLastWords Let it]]'' '''''[[CarefulWithThatAxe BUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRN]]'''''

* FunnyAneurysmMoment:
** It's [[HarsherInHindsight a little unsettling]] to hear The Rev say "You'll never see me again" in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tPPM4UfWmk this interview]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IESAiJYvG0 Another one here]].
** "Everybody's gotta die sometime..."

* FriendlyFandoms: With '''Atreyu''', fellow American metalcore band who set the genre to its peak popularity in the noughties. Fans of Avenged Sevenfold usually likes Atreyu's songs and vice versa.

* SacredCow: Pretty much every album has its lovers and detractors, but you'll hardly find any fan who doesn't like ''Waking the Fallen''. Or doesn't care for The Rev's drum work.
** The Rev in general is seen as this. Even detractors admit that he was a talented drummer taken too soon from everyone.

* SnarkBait: Not the worst example, but they are often bashed for being too mainstream, too emo, too cheesy and/or not being "true" metal. Fans of the band are often written off as "newbies" who just don't know anything better.

** "Coming Home" [[TropesAreTools plays into this trope]] as it’s compared favorably to Iron Maiden in terms of matching their style in their own sound without feeling too much like an {{Expy}} of any particular song.

*** An example: The Rev yelling''"Look at the size of that fuckin' duck!!! LOOK AT THAT DUCK! JESUS CHRIST! Come here, ya [[ClusterFBomb fuckin']]...[[BuffySpeak stallion duck]]!"'' followed by him chasing said duck down while growling ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCXMFk14w0 "HE'S NOT AFRAID AT ALL!"]]''

* ContestedSequel: Coming off of the band's most commercially successful release, followup ''Avenged Sevenfold'' is bound to have polarizing reception and comparisons to its predecessor, ''City of Evil''. Some of the reasons why the self-titled receives a lot of flak is due to the band's departure from [[Main/SpeedMetal speed metal]] to a [[Main/HeavyMetal traditional heavy metal]] sound with plenty of [[Main/GenreShift genre-bending]].[[note]]there are two [[Main/CountryMusic country]]/blues-based songs, "Dear God" and "Gunslinger", while "A Little Piece of Heaven" delves into [[Main/ClassicalMusic classical music]] and "Afterlife" has traces of that.[[/note]]

** "Shepherd of Fire" has notable similarities with both Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and Megadeth's "Trust", especially in the intro and the bridge.

* AcceptableTargets: Not the worst example, but they are often bashed for being too mainstream, too emo, too cheesy and/or not being "true" metal. Fans of the band are often written off as "newbies" who just don't know anything better.

** In terms of heartwarming songs, "Warmness on the Soul" is a good example.[[EarWorm "I give my heart,cause nothing can compare in this world to you......."]]

* SignatureStyle: Expect poppy chord progressions and catchy EarWorm hooks and Choruses, against metal backgrounds, references to Literature/TheBible, melodramatic and theatrical LargeHam lyrics, and a lot of harmonic minor keys. As well as healthy doses of sweeping in Synyster Gates's solos.

* StuckInTheirShadow: During the 4 years of his tenure, Arin Ilejay kept being seen as "that guy who replaced the Rev", despite having plenty of chops himself and "Not Ready to Die" being often cited by fans as one of their favorite post-Rev songs.

* {{Squick}}: "A Little Piece of Heaven"
* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: A couple of examples.

** "This Means War" has been called suspiciously similar to "Sad But True," especially in the intro and the verses. The band members themselves acknowledge the inpspiration.
** "Heretic"'s verse sounds like {{Music/Megadeth}}'s "Symphony of Destruction".

** The music video even provides a handy image of said heater - the "Super Thigh Heater 3000GSS" - every time this part of the chorus is sung.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: When the band released the single for their new song Mad Hatter, it was criticized by fans for its lackluster and rather uneven mix, especially when compared to their previous studio album. Less than a week after the track was released M. Shadows announced via Reddit that they heard the fan outcry (they realized the problem when they heard the song on the radio themselves) and were working on a new mix to replace the old version heard before, effectively replacing the old mix a week after its debut. He then offered a free download link for those who already purchased the Mad Hatter single or the Black Reign EP beforehand.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: The scene of Jimmy chasing a goose in All Excess.

** Those who listen primarily to metalcore/post-hardcore tend to gravitate towards the band's first two albums, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet and Waking the Fallen.
** Those who don't care much for metalcore/post-hardcore, but are fans of straightforward hard rock bordering on heavy metal would prefer the band's output from City of Evil and thereafter. Although, some may enjoy a handful of the less -core sounding songs from Waking the Fallen (in particular, Unholy Confessions). However, this group is divided further into two groups.
** The band's previous album, Hail to the King, is not only the first album to be recorded without any input whatsoever from the late Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan - but also takes on a significantly different direction from the previous three albums (although probably not quite as drastically as City of Evil was from Waking the Fallen). According to lead singer M Shadows, the album can be described as "more blues rock-influenced and more like classic rock and classic metal in the vein of Music/BlackSabbath and Music/LedZeppelin". Quite naturally, this album would be even more disdained by those who prefer the band's STST/WTF-era style. But even a significant portion of those who have enjoyed the past three albums find the style to be too much of a departure for them.

** "The Stage" is either a return to form for the band, featuring a more progressive metal approach to their songs, or overly pretentious trash that ruins M. Shadows' voice.

* ContestedSequel: Coming off of the band's most commercially successful release, followup ''Avenged Sevenfold'' is bound to have polarizing reception and comparisons to its predecessor, ''City of Evil''. Some of the reasons why the self-titled receives a lot of flak is due to the band's departure from [[Main/SpeedMetal speed metal]] to a [[Main/HeavyMetal traditional heavy metal]] sound with plenty of [[Main/GenreShift genre-bending]].[[note]]there are two [[Main/CountryMusic country]]/blues-based songs, "Dear God" and "Gunslinger", while "A Little Piece of Heaven" delves into [[Main/ClassicalMusic classical music]] while "Afterlife" has traces of it.[[/note]]

* CrossesTheLineTwice: ''A Little Piece of Heaven'', as described on the main page. But in particular this line.

** It's often agreed that Waking The Fallen was the point where the band truly began to realize their potential as songwriters, which would later be expanded (in a different direction) on their works after leaving the field of metalcore.
** Nightmare had much deeper lyrics than their previous albums, due mostly to the band's AuthorExistenceFailure making the other band members more emotional.

** The song Brompton Cocktail. For those unaware, it was about a man who will die due to something wrong with him and is given a Brompton cocktail (a mix of morphine or heroin, cocaine, and alcohol) to relieve the pain. The Rev (who co-wrote this song with Shadows) was found with [=OxyContin=], Valium, and alcohol in his system when he died; his enlarged heart was either considered part of the reason why he died, or [[EpilepticTrees he used them to make sure he wouldn't die suddenly from the aforementioned heart defect]].

-->'''M. Shadows:''' "The new album, Nightmare, is dedicated to The Rev's memory and although it's not exactly a concept album, it does center around The Rev. The eeriest thing about it is there is a song on the album called "Fiction", which started out with the title "Death". And the song was the last song The Rev wrote for the album, and when he handed it in, he said, that’s it, that’s the last song for this record. And then 3 days later, he died."

** The video for ''Nightmare'' never shows the band performing together (Only Zacky & Syn playing together in the guitar solo), and ends with a single shot of The Rev's final drum kit, bathed in a white light - ''And this is the only shot of the drums in the entire video''.
*** Technically there is a shot of The Rev's kit from ''City of Evil'', smashed, broken, and crawling with spiders, (a reference to the Afterlife video, which has spiders crawling on The Revs face.) near the beginning.

** [[Music/DreamTheater Mike Portnoy]] stepping in to fill in for The Rev on the album Nightmare and following tours. He was The Rev's favorite drummer and biggest influence.

** In terms of heartwarming songs, "Warmness on The Soul" is a good example.[[EarWorm "I give my heart,cause nothing can compare in this world to you......."]]

** By some extent, the Rev's voice. M. Shadows voice is either this or annoying depending on who you ask, due its rather peculiar nasal timber.

** The original version of "To End The Rapture" on Sounding The Seventh Trumpet recorded before Synyster Gates joined the band is probably one of the accidentally funniest songs you'll ever hear. Instead of the explosive metal intro, it's a LonelyPianoPiece, but with Matt's really...''er''.... ''bad'' vocals utter seriousness it's ''very'' silly sounding.

** The line "IT'S YOUR [[PrecisionFStrike FUCKIN']] NIGHTMAAAAAARE, [[EvilLaugh HA HA HA]]" is very clichéd and cheesy, but nobody seems to care besides a few critics. "A Little Piece Of Heaven" is full of narm as well, but it's all tongue-in-cheek.

** Warmness On The Soul is a sweet song, but some think that Matt's voice ruins it.

** ''Fiction'' is very chilling. Subverted when it becomes a TearJerker about half way through it.
*** And then goes back to being NightmareFuel for the last thirty seconds or so, which is basically a passage of eery near-silence.

*** ''Nightmare'' in general is either this or pure TearJerker, such some pretty disturbing songs such as "Buried Alive" (About dying and basically enduring hell for your actions), "Natural Born Killer" (ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin), and a full blown RageAgainstTheHeavens with "God Hates Us". Remember, this is an album ''dedicated'' to their deceased friend/drummer.

** Mostly adverted with Brooks Wackerman, who's drum skills fit with the band's music, especially with ''The Stage''.
* SacredCow: Pretty much every album has its lovers and detractors, but you'll hardly find any fan who doesn't like ''City of Evil''. Or doesn't like The Rev's drumlines.

* SignatureSong: "Bat Country," "The Beast And The Harlot," "Unholy Confessions," "Nightmare", and arguably "God Damn".

* {{Squick}}: "A Little Piece Of Heaven"

** By some extent, the Rev's voice. M. Shadows voice is either this or MostAnnoyingSound depending on who you ask, due its rather peculiar nasal timber.

* MostWonderfulSound: Syn's and Zack's guitar playing get a lot of love, but when it comes to the fans, '''everyone''' loves The Rev's "double ride thing" on songs, in particular on "Almost Easy". So much so that Brooks doing it himself in "Paradigm" [[https://youtu.be/RBQ5QBUEfaU?t=2m43s got a smile on his bandmates' faces.]]

* AuthorsSavingThrow: When the band released the single for their new song Mad Hatter, it was criticized by fans for its lackluster and rather uneven mix, especially when compared to their previous studio album. Less than a week after the track was released M. Shadows announced via Reddit that they heard the fan outcry (they realized the problem when they heard the song on the radio themselves) and were working on a new mix to replace the old version heard before, effectively replacing the old mix a week after its debut. He then offered free download link for those who already purchased the Mad Hatter single or the Black Reign EP beforehand.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: When the band released the single for their new song Mad Hatter, it was criticized by fans for its lackluster and rather uneven mix, especially when compared to their previous studio album. Less than a week after the track was released M. Shadows announced via Reddit that they heard the fan outcry and were working on a new mix to replace the old version heard before, effectively replacing the old mix a week after its debut. He then offered free download link for those who already purchased the Mad Hatter single or the Black Reign EP beforehand.

*** For those who do want to hear Jimmy's [[AwesomeMusic incredible chorus]] without hearing the rants, check out their live DVD, where the song is played without the speaking sections.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: When the band released the single for their new song Mad Hatter, it was criticized by fans for its lackluster and rather uneven mix, especially when compared to their previous studio album. Less than a week after the track was released M. Shadows announced via Reddit that they heard the fan outcry and were working on a new mix to replace the old version heard before, even offering a free download link for those who already purchased the Mad Hatter single or the Black Reign EP beforehand.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: When the band released the single for their new song Mad Hatter, it was criticized by fans for its lackluster and rather uneven mix, especially when compared to their previous studio album. Less than a week after the track was released M. Shadows announced via Reddit that a new mix was set to replace the old version heard before, even offering a free download link for those who already purchased the Mad Hatter single or the Black Reign EP beforehand.