After proving themselves to be one of metal’s most eclectic bands on their daring 2023 LP, Life Is But a Dream…, Avenged Sevenfold’s latest EP STATICA, hasn’t been met with the same nuanced reaction from fans. Last week the Southern California metal band surprise released a brand new four track, 18 minute EP entitled STATICA. The EP was instantly met with harsh reactions from fans with some criticizing the heavy use of autotune and the EP’s overly ambiguous sonic direction.
How Is Avenged Sevenfold’s New EP, STATICA?
Songs “LIGHTS,” “STATICA,” “REJOICE,” and “ASHES” take listeners through a whirlwind of hypnotic soundscapes, many of which feature an almost sci-fi-like atmosphere, from the band’s use of synthesizers and dense electronic instrumentation. It’s far from anything that Avenged Sevenfold has ever done including their previous LP, which at the time took an unconventional and bold direction into progressive songwriting.
Despite the litany of genres and influences that Avenged Sevenfold pack into this EP, there really isn’t a lot to chew on. There are no memorable choruses, hooky instrumentals passages, or spellbinding solos, all which have been a part of the band’s sonic identity, including on Life Is But a Dream… to an extent.
The opening track “LIGHTS” sounds like waiting room music to a more conventional A7X album. The two-minute track bleeds into the title track, which highlights one of the EP’s main issues – the overuse of autotune and vocoders. Dial back these elements and the bones of these songs become more transparent. “REJOICE” for that matter, isn’t all that bad. The groovy psychedelic track might’ve been stronger if it wasn’t for the distracting amount of autotune on Matt Shadows’ vocals and the song’s bizarre synthesizer melodies.
A similar anecdote can be said for closer “ASHES,” though this track abruptly falls apart as soon as the verse vocals come in. In fact, “ASHES” really exemplifies the issues this EP has with its meandering autotune melodies and incoherent electronic soundscapes.
It’s certainly admirable that A7X are continuing to carve their own path and not appease to what the fans or industry wants from them. However, as metal fans have come to find out, it’s not always to everyone’s benefit when a band goes too far in an experimental direction. Lulu, Metallica’s collaborative album with Lou Reed remains the prime example of this. Avenged Sevenfold’s STATICA might not be as outlandish or as blatantly bad as Lulu, but it’s certainly not much better.
Verdict: 4/10
Bottom Line
While it’s certainly not the EP most fans were hoping to hear, especially those who were dissatisfied with 2023’s Life Is But a Dream…, Avenged Sevenfold choosing to surprise release this EP with no promotion was the best route to take this zany new project. By doing so it feels like this EP is artificially separated from their other work, including LIBAD, which is largely for the better. Avenged Sevenfold already proved they can take big experimental swings with an album like LIBAD, but with STATICA they prove it doesn’t always result in something exceptionally profound.
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