We Love You by Avenged Sevenfold | Song Review
The metal band releases a new single in anticipation of Life Is But A Dream...
Listen to We Love You by Avenged Sevenfold: Apple Music | Spotify
Avenged Sevenfold continues to build up the hype for their upcoming album Life Is But A Dream… with their latest single “We Love You”. The band leans towards a more operatic sound that they showcased on the previously released “Nobody”. This new single sees the metal band dive deeper into weirder and more experimental territory, with lyrics criticizing today’s society. Fitting when considering the album’s inspirations from the existential writings of Albert Camus as stated by the band when they announced Life Is But A Dream… two months ago.
Stylistically “We Love You” is honestly quite jarring, I had this same impression when I first listened to “Nobody” back in March, and that same sentiment echoes again with this new single. It’s apparent that A7X are attempting to get a little more creative with their approach to music, but it’s definitely going to take some getting used to. If anything, they’re really prepping up listeners for the full package this June as I imagine the full album will be very subversive.
The song’s split into multiple parts. The first part is full of breakbeat drumming with lead singer M. Shadows singing with a vocoder, his vocals sound quite distorted and chopped up. There was a point where I thought something was wrong with the song. The song’s 2nd “act” feels more in line with their Waking The Fallen material from 20 years ago. There’s a heavy thrash element with screaming vocals and a sinister guitar solo from Synyster Gates.
Bridging the gap between the two acts is the song’s refrain. A chugging riff builds and builds over M. Shadow’s droning vocals as he repeats the mantra “more power, more pace, more money, more taste”. When the refrain comes back towards the song’s end, the pace picks up like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Surprisingly instead of a heavy breakdown, the acoustics kick in leading to a more somber conclusion to the whole song.
Lyrically, I’m assuming the song is speaking from the perspective of corporations and the way they potentially lie or provide false hope to the working class. Evident by the song’s chorus: “Look at the way you go.
You’re one in a million, and you know it shows, and we love you. Do unto the mud.” They’ll hold you up high and speak praise until their true motivations are shown (do unto the mud) and their real intentions to abuse and build solely for the corporations or the rich are revealed. It’s even felt through the aforementioned refrain. The repetition of “more” and “build” speaks volumes about the ills of capitalism and helping the rich get richer.
Overall, “We Love You” is certainly one of the oddest Avenged Sevenfold songs I’ve heard, however, I feel that it’s given me a better idea of what to expect once Life Is But A Dream… drops. The song’s overall structure will surprise listeners for sure, and I imagine many may have a mixed response. Personally, it’s got me feeling a bit more optimistic yet reserved for their new album at the same time.
For my final rating, I’m giving “We Love You” a 7/10. My opinion on the song could change within the context of the whole album, but I feel with its production and lyrical matter it’s somewhat prepared me for their new album. I’m eager to hear just how experimental A7X will get, and if this single is any indication, it might just be the tip of the iceberg.
Final Rating: 7/10.
