Nightmare
by Avenged Sevenfold
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. AllMusic
    60
    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.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    50
    With imagery haunted by death and lyrical allusions to alienation and angst, Avenged Sevenfold's fifth full-length is almost impossible to appreciate unless you fit the prime demographic: tormented teenage boys.
  3. Rock Sound
    70
    If there's criticism, it's that Nightmare still falls back on cliches, building with aggressive force to then rely on a safe melodic chorus. However, there's enough of a change to see A7X lash out beyond their core sound, making Nightmare their greatest achievement to date.
  5. The A.V. Club
    42
    Avenged Sevenfold continues to sound like five different bands on every album, none of them particularly good.
  6. Kerrang!
    80
    Nightmare marks the point which the Huntington Beach crew put away childish things and became men. [24 Jul 2010, p.50]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Sputnikmusic
    60
    Nightmare is a completely different offering; even though it still has highly questionable moments, it's obvious that a genuine effort was put in, and that's enough reason to listen.
  8. Billboard.com
    78
    Nightmare is the group's best work yet. It's a sweeping, quasi-thematic epic whose nearly 67 minutes mixes punky abandon with prog-rock ambition and muscle with musicality.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2010
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 133 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 133
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 133
  3. Negative: 5 out of 133
  1. TheGamer24
    Jan 11, 2011
    10
    Avenged Sevenfold did an amazing job making this album a tribute to Jimmy. There is so much emotion through each and every song. They evenAvenged Sevenfold did an amazing job making this album a tribute to Jimmy. There is so much emotion through each and every song. They even went back to play some heavy material, something that hasn't quite been done since Waking the Fallen. These guys are not afraid to be their true selves when it comes to their music, and I think that is what makes this band so great. If you are looking for an album to go on an emotional roller coaster trip, this would be the one to listen to.… Full Review »
  2. metalives
    Mar 30, 2011
    0
    All the songs on the album sound almost exactly the same!
    The problem appeared slightly in their fourth album but now its impossible not to    All the songs on the album sound almost exactly the same!
    The problem appeared slightly in their fourth album but now its impossible not to notice in nightmare. This is mostly due to the guitars backing down once shadows starts to sing every line the same (daaaaah daaaaah daaaaaah daaaaah daaaaaaaaaaaaaah) while dropping down a note each time. Its just getting really old. I believe the band does not know where to go from this point.    … Full Review »
  3. mmabeast85
    Nov 27, 2010
    9
    Nightmare is a different but still satisfying offering from the band following the passing of The Rev. While the catchy radio friendly songsNightmare is a different but still satisfying offering from the band following the passing of The Rev. While the catchy radio friendly songs like Afterlife and Almost easy are missing from this album they do have songs that are more similar to that of City of Evil with Danger Line and Natural Born Killer. The first have of the album is heavy and in your face but the last half does get a bit slow as they use several tracks to pay tribute to The Rev. Fiction is this album's A Little Piece of Heaven and besides the verse that sounds like hes mumbling its overall a good and very creative song. But behind all the double pedals and dueling guitars this album definitely packs in a lot of passion and heart coming from heavy inspiration. You see the band come into full maturity and if Portnoy sticks around Avenged still has many strong years in front of them.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »