Hail to the King
by Avenged Sevenfold
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 147 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 147
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 147
  3. Negative: 17 out of 147
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  1. The_Durf
    Sep 1, 2013
    6
    Face it, we're all deathbats or we wouldn't be here. That being said this album is decent. A lot of the songs remind me of metallica and iron maiden, now i like both of those bands but i don't think A7X should have went in this direction. City of evil blew me away, and a lot of that had to do with the rev's drumming. I mean seriously, go listen to Beast and the Harlot and listen to himFace it, we're all deathbats or we wouldn't be here. That being said this album is decent. A lot of the songs remind me of metallica and iron maiden, now i like both of those bands but i don't think A7X should have went in this direction. City of evil blew me away, and a lot of that had to do with the rev's drumming. I mean seriously, go listen to Beast and the Harlot and listen to him wail on those drums. Yeah idk ill always love avenged sevenfold but i hope their next album is better than this one. I actually enjoyed Nightmare actually, so it's not just the drumming that makes me say this, its more that this album feels weak and uninspired compared to their previous ones.… Expand
  2. Brosman
    Aug 30, 2013
    4
    I've been a fan of A7X since City of Evil, and this is just so generic and boring. After listening to this album i could not remember what a single song sounds like (save the single Hail to the King). It pains me to say that this album isnt very good. Throw in the fact that their song "This Means War" sound exactly like Mettalica's "Sad But True" to the point of plagerism, I know itsI've been a fan of A7X since City of Evil, and this is just so generic and boring. After listening to this album i could not remember what a single song sounds like (save the single Hail to the King). It pains me to say that this album isnt very good. Throw in the fact that their song "This Means War" sound exactly like Mettalica's "Sad But True" to the point of plagerism, I know its supposed to be a throwback, but id rather listen to the classics than this.… Expand
  3. LJHayes
    Sep 4, 2013
    6
    First thing I should probably say is that I did really enjoy listening to this album. It's a more down-tempo, slightly tamer sound to what Avenged have come out with in the past but the riffs, rythms and vocals are all solid and it works pretty well. It just isn't quite as adventurous as I've come to expect from this band.
    If you listened to the title track when it was first released then    First thing I should probably say is that I did really enjoy listening to this album. It's a more down-tempo, slightly tamer sound to what Avenged have come out with in the past but the riffs, rythms and vocals are all solid and it works pretty well. It just isn't quite as adventurous as I've come to expect from this band.
    If you listened to the title track when it was first released then you know what you can expect from the other nine songs, it doesn't really deviate much from that. The lead single kind of sums up the sound of the rest of the album and, while it isn't a bad sound, it just doesn't have a lot of energy to it.
    My biggest gripe is new drummer, Aaron Iljey (think I spelled that right). He's just boring. Throwing in the same basic beat for every song, rarely feeling brave enough to venture away from his comfort zone. It was never going to be an easy job taking over from The Rev but I was expecting better than the uninspired, half-hearted effort we hear in this album.
    Overall, this album isn't going to blow you away but it's definately worth listeing to. Shadows' voice is as strong as ever and Gates keeps the the whole thing flowing smoothly throughout. Christ and Vegeance do most of the work carrying the rythm so we can only hope that Iljey comes into his own in the future.
    If you're an A7X fan, buy it. If not, give a listen before you decide if you want to invest money in it.    … Expand
  4. lordjrs
    Aug 31, 2013
    4
    I'm sorry A7X, but as a A7X and all-genres music fan, I don't liked your album. Let's start naming the worst things of the album: First, "This Means War" is a clear rip-off from Metallica. Damn, the riffs and sections are all ripped-off from Sad But True! That's not "inspiration", that's just taking riffs and making a "new" song with them. Second, I don't like the majority of songs onI'm sorry A7X, but as a A7X and all-genres music fan, I don't liked your album. Let's start naming the worst things of the album: First, "This Means War" is a clear rip-off from Metallica. Damn, the riffs and sections are all ripped-off from Sad But True! That's not "inspiration", that's just taking riffs and making a "new" song with them. Second, I don't like the majority of songs on HTTK, not for the minimalist style, just because of them feeling so uninspired. I don't like HTTK, Doing Time or Heretic at all... They can be enjoyable songs, but the writing behind them is weak. Also, the section that starts after 2:38 of Heretic is another direct ripoff, this time from one their songs. The acoustic section and the solo guitar part is similar to the verses of the song from the Nightmare album. On the other hand, the intro from Requiem is amazing, Shepard of Fire and Planets are very good songs and St. James is a beautiful tribute to their late drummer. Is not a bad album, but is neither a good album, so that's my score.… Expand
  5. Mookle
    Nov 12, 2013
    6
    Don't get me wrong, this album is pleasant to the ears, but is not exceptional. The guitar writing certainly has lived up to par if not improved. The vocals are okay, not as interesting as in previous albums. Bass is much more distinctive, I love it. A couple thing that breaks my heart about this album is the drumming... just not dynamic at all, let alone to the superior standard theDon't get me wrong, this album is pleasant to the ears, but is not exceptional. The guitar writing certainly has lived up to par if not improved. The vocals are okay, not as interesting as in previous albums. Bass is much more distinctive, I love it. A couple thing that breaks my heart about this album is the drumming... just not dynamic at all, let alone to the superior standard the percussion writing was held to before. Just saddening. Another thing I miss is the unique and surprising song structuring found in other albums. songs like fiction, welcome to the family, save me, a little piece of heaven, and a few others. Not a single song surprised me; entrances were very static and not something unique to this band. This album reminded me of something MASTERPLAN would have released. Worth the money I used to buy it, but I wish It was worth more.… Expand
  6. Vonathan
    Jul 13, 2014
    6
    After hearing the single Hail to the King, I was excited for some new Avenged Sevenfold, but the album was a disappointment. A lot of the songs sound very bland and pretty much the same. I do enjoy a couple of the songs but nowhere near the masterpiece I though City of Evil and Nightmare were.
  7. BigGuyChris
    Sep 9, 2014
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This Album is a 50/50 for me. Hence the 5! Being a drummer, I always loved and admired The Rev. He gave A7X that special something. I don't expect the new drummer to BE The Rev. But I find the songs on this album to lack feeling. It almost seems as though the drummer is merely going through the motions. If you listen to the Album in its entirety, the songs are actually quite good. It's got some good (albeit monotonous) sound and style. So, A must have for the fans, but I almost regret buying it.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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#42 Most Discussed Album of 2013
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#84 Most Shared Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 23, 2013
    80
    It has power, darkness and bucketloads of testosterone. [Sep 2013, p.92]
  2. Q Magazine
    Oct 11, 2013
    80
    The next crossover metal band has arrived. [Nov 2013, p.101]
  3. Kerrang!
    Sep 18, 2013
    80
    It's a brave album and, once the dust settles, it'll be remembered as a great one. [24 Aug 2013, p.52]
See all critic reviews »