Life Is But a Dream...
by Avenged Sevenfold
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26
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  1. airey
    Jul 9, 2023
    3
    Avant-garde is supposed to be a lot of things, but predictable is absolutely not one of them. The band sounds as if they've made a checklist of all the things an experimental metal album should have and were crossing off the items the list as they were writing the album. The sudden style changes, the dissonant melodies, the break into other genres... It's all there, but it all comes off asAvant-garde is supposed to be a lot of things, but predictable is absolutely not one of them. The band sounds as if they've made a checklist of all the things an experimental metal album should have and were crossing off the items the list as they were writing the album. The sudden style changes, the dissonant melodies, the break into other genres... It's all there, but it all comes off as a counterfeit of an Avant-Garde Metal album without the element of surprise, the honesty and the resolution that characterizes them. All in all, this is just a failed experiment from the California band where they were desperate to be something they obviously are not.
    If you want to listen to better records or somehow liked this album, give yourself a favor and listen to To-Mera or Mr. Bungle's "California", "Disco Volante" and their Self-Titled, which are way better in my opinion.
    Standouts: "Cosmic", "Life is but a Dream...", the lyrics of "Mattel", the guitar outro of "Game Over", Brooks Wackerman's drumming performance    … Expand
  2. Asgard0822
    Aug 1, 2023
    0
    this is not A7X.
    Just an experimental mess that doesnt sound nowhere near Avenged Sevenfold.
    No feeling or whatsoever in these songs.

    Really wonder what they did all these years.
  3. twistsanny
    Aug 1, 2023
    0
    People actually like this album? Now THAT is fascinating. Listened to the entire thing and it felt like they missed the mark at every corner. I hope I'm wrong and it's just me, but this album has to be the worst they've ever done.. and they did NFT's!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 22, 2023
    90
    In short, whatever your thoughts are on the band, leave your preconceived notions at the door and give it a try, Life is But a Dream… is set to be one of the best albums of 2023.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Jun 22, 2023
    80
    Avenged Sevenfold go further down the rabbit hole with an innovative set of progressive metal epics rooted in existential crisis.
    Read full review
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 22, 2023
    90
    With Life Is But A Dream… Avenged Sevenfold haven’t just transcended their metal peers for good, they’ve also created their definitive artistic statement. And it’s bloody fantastic. [Jul 2023, p.80]
    Read full review
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