After there final tour of "The Stage" album era was cancelled due to M Shadows vocal issues. Many fans must have thought it would be an age before they would hear from Avenged Sevenfold again as they head back into the studio to record a new album. But then they throw a curve ball and release the "Black Reign" EP. A collection of songs they made for the Call of Duty games over the years. Fans of the game and older Avenged Sevenfold fans generally may have different opinions on releasing these songs in EP form. But for me as a very new fan (discovered them last year); This was all new material to me so it is all fresh and very exciting.
One strange thing which I have never heard this happen before is that this EP was re-released within a week of being available. This was due to feedback from fans saying that the mixing was bad. The band totally agreed with them, got it fixed and put it back out there. I don't know if its because I'm not in a band or don't have a trained ear but I didn't actually notice that the mixing was bad in the first place. I really enjoyed listening to it on the whole.
This is a four track EP, kicking off with "Mad Hatter". It opens with M Shadows trademark vocal style and sounds similar to stuff from their self titled album. But one of the things I love about the song is M Shadows variation in his voice throughout the song. For example when he sings "the feeding of the voices in my head", the first time he is casually sings it, then the second two times he ups it and it works so well. He treats his voice like an instrument. There is also a nice kick back guitar section in this song too.
"Carry On" is a ferousious all out metal track. Here M Shadows is delivering some of the vocals in the screaming style appeared in the first 2 albums Avenged released. I didn't really like those albums. But here because those style vocals are complimented on this track with proper singing I actually really like it. Again really fine guitar work and another cracking tune.
"Not Ready to die" starts off with an organ and guitar build up before the guitar and drums really kick in and we're off again on another epic metal track. M Shadows uses the occasional scream vocals once more to good effect. The EP ends with "Jade Helm" which is an instrumental track. I always like bands attempting instrumentals as I do feel it is harder to make a track stand out without vocals as there are less hooks. Here I don't think Avenged quite pull it off here. I think maybe I'm expecting too much like "Exist" off The Stage which was a predomintaly instrumental track. "Jade Helm" does have a number of frustrating silences throughout the song. Sometimes bands use silence to good effect within songs but for me it doesn't really work here. I think the silent bits are too long. It does have its moments though this track and I really like the drum beat.
Overall this is a quality EP. 3 out of 4 good songs ain't bad. I like the way Avenged Sevenfold go that extra mile trying to keep there songs interesting and refreshing, especially since they have been going for so long.
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