Zacky Vengeance, the guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold, expressed his thoughts on the band’s latest album, ‘Life Is But A Dream…’, and the fan responses it drew in an interview with NME at Download Festival 2024. The album marked a significant shift from the group’s earlier sound, featuring more experimental and avant-garde elements such as EDM and hip-hop. The new album received mixed reviews from fans, polarising opinions as the band had hoped.
The guitarist acknowledged the criticism but was unfazed by it, stating that “the most successful art is polarising” and that the band had always aimed to create something people didn’t know they wanted. He added that, through music, the band hoped to “give them [fans] an experience to remember for the rest of their lives and maybe even change their whole perspective.”
Despite dividing audiences, ‘Life Is But A Dream…’ received an “amazing response” from fans, according to Vengeance, who claimed that it was precisely the response the band had set out to achieve. The five-piece wanted to take their music in a different direction and avoid being labelled as the next Metallica.
Looking ahead, Avenged Sevenfold plans to celebrate two significant album anniversaries next year. ‘City of Evil’ will turn 20, and ‘Nightmare’ will mark its 15th anniversary. The band intends to commemorate these milestones without becoming a nostalgia act and while still being proud of their current work.
In addition, Vengeance spoke about the band’s use of innovative technology to draw their fanbase closer, such as the use of NFTs. The guitarist explained that Avenged Sevenfold was keen to connect with fans in their way, away from radio stations and record labels that have their own agenda.
Avenged Sevenfold recently headlined Download Festival 2024, a decade after they first played the event. The band has more tour dates planned across Europe, and information about the Deathbats Club can be found on their website
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