After the death of drummer James “the Rev” Sullivan in December ‘09, Avenged Sevenfold’s latest record was always going to be one the most talked about releases in the mainstream metal world. Boasting a harder, chuggier sound and cleaner vocals, their fifth album is (as expected) a darker affair after the events of last Christmas and in many ways it’s a step in the right direction for a band who have frequently been written off as nothing more than posing poster boys. Some of the tracks thrash with the best of them (‘So Far Away,’ ‘God Hates Us’). On the whole Nightmare is the sound of a group who are finally coming of age.

Key Track: ‘God Hates Us’