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The Stage
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The Stage Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 77 Ratings

  • Summary: The seventh full-length studio release for the Southern California metal band is its first with former Bad Religion drummer Brooks Wackerman was produced by Joe Barresi.
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The Stage
So I arrived, naked and cold A welcomed change from the abeyance of a ghost town catacomb No need for counsel I appreciate the time I'm not... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Alternative Press
    Nov 22, 2016
    90
    What they did do was stick to their guns. And as the old guard of arena-filling hard rockers begin to diminish (physically, artistically), it’s good to know there’s someone dedicated to keeping the bar high.
  2. The Guardian
    Dec 8, 2016
    80
    They have blown the creative doors off, cramming an insane amount of ideas into 74 minutes of prog-metal bombast. Their knack for a chorus is as apparent on the shorter, sharper likes of Paradigm and God Damn, but it’s the outrageous opulence of towering ballads Higher and Roman Sky, and the overblown, starry-eyed Muse-ings of 16-minute closer Exist, that make this such a satisfying forward leap.
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Nov 22, 2016
    80
    Avenged Sevenfold have lost any previous limitations and inhibitions, and they’ve crafted a landmark metal album.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Dec 9, 2016
    80
    It’s evident the band have begun a new chapter where they appreciate rather than become their influences. They’ve truly 
arrived.
  5. AllMusic
    Nov 22, 2016
    70
    Stage is more Operation: Mindcrime-era Queensrÿche than it is Muse, and for all its opining on nanotechnology and interstellar travel, it still feels rooted in heavy metal tradition.
  6. Q Magazine
    Dec 13, 2016
    60
    Even if Avenged Sevenfold are guilty of occasionally overreaching in places here, it's undoubtedly made them more interesting. [Feb 2017, p.117]
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  7. Exclaim
    Nov 22, 2016
    50
    Though Hail to the King failed to live up to the royal expectations of its titular disguise, The Stage's grandiosity smells of overcompensation; Avenged Sevenfold's crown lies somewhere in between.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. GerardistheWay
    Nov 28, 2016
    10
    Avenged Sevenfold's most focused work in years is also one of their smartest, most inventive, and addictive albums in their repertoire.Avenged Sevenfold's most focused work in years is also one of their smartest, most inventive, and addictive albums in their repertoire. Telling a cautionary tale about the replacement of humanity by artificial intelligence, the band fuses progressive rock style with their classic metal sound for a unique sonic experience you won't forget for a while. As I'm not yet finished listening to it I'll be posting a full review later on, but for right now I must say kudos, boys--you've won back a fan you were on the brink of losing.… Expand
  2. darioacdc7
    Mar 21, 2023
    10
    By far the best Avenged Sevenfold album to date. The band peaks artistically and the compositions of the songs are just next level compared toBy far the best Avenged Sevenfold album to date. The band peaks artistically and the compositions of the songs are just next level compared to previous albums.… Expand
  4. GUMbells
    Aug 26, 2017
    10
    I Love This Album. This Is One Of There Best Works No THERE BEST ALBUM EVER! I love The Theme of The Album Which Is Nuclear Annihilation,I Love This Album. This Is One Of There Best Works No THERE BEST ALBUM EVER! I love The Theme of The Album Which Is Nuclear Annihilation, Space travel, Religion, How The Universe Is Made And A Lot More. I Do Recommend The Stage.… Expand
  5. Dat_One_Critic
    Nov 27, 2016
    10
    Great Album. It really stands out from their other albums. Avenged Sevenfold having no strings attached, being able to do work with capitolGreat Album. It really stands out from their other albums. Avenged Sevenfold having no strings attached, being able to do work with capitol records gave them this great opportunity. I enjoyed this album all the way though. With Brooks Wackerman on the drums makes the album better. I dont believe the previous drummer would do as good as the new one. This is standout album and it needs to be bought.… Expand
  6. XenoJake
    Feb 8, 2017
    9
    The Stage presents itself as a triumphant Lion roaring into the maw of social commentary. Through an impressive marriage of musicianship andThe Stage presents itself as a triumphant Lion roaring into the maw of social commentary. Through an impressive marriage of musicianship and ideology, A7X have succeeded in the attempt to create a true Progressive concept album. The overtones and allusions made throughout the album seek to educate the listener on deeper levels of the Human consciousness and what it means to be apart of the world in which we inhabit. In addition, The Stage is a huge improvement in musicianship after Hail To The King, and hearkens back to the days of City Of Evil. They even brought back Papa Gates for this one guys! The Stage is arguably my favorite album by A7X now, and deserves all its success and then some.… Expand
  7. Crankthatsnes
    Feb 13, 2017
    9
    Avenged Sevenfold manages to fit in all the best parts of previous albums while still exploring new regions of music craft never seen beforeAvenged Sevenfold manages to fit in all the best parts of previous albums while still exploring new regions of music craft never seen before "The Stage". It has it all really, from roaring vocals of M. Shadows in Paradigm to the soft spoken violins of "Roman Sky". The album tells a story of the entirety of the Universe and compacts it into 70 minutes of beautiful metal goodness.… Expand
  8. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    0
    This music is no longer creative, it's just distortion, like it's Mao's distortion. This music is too sane in how it scams listeners intoThis music is no longer creative, it's just distortion, like it's Mao's distortion. This music is too sane in how it scams listeners into compliance. These songs have terrible choruses, like any moron could write a better one. These ballads are quite bad, too. This music fails to make a leap forward.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2016