Life Is But a Dream...

Life Is But a Dream... is the eighth album, on which Avenged Sevenfold greatly crosses beyond the frame of metal, pursuing experiment and existential questions. Released after about seven years — the band's longest gap — on a return to Warner. Co-produced with Joe Barresi, it is inspired by Albert Camus' novel The Stranger, with meditation on life, death and the meaning of existence running throughout. A bold sound taking in jazz, orchestra and even electronic textures marks it out. The lead single "Nobody" carries strong melody within complex development, and "We Love You" and "Mattel" combine aggression with experiment. The late "G," "(O)rdinary" and "(D)eath" link into a single suite, with a device spelling "GOD" through their initials. Its unpredictable structure drew strongly mixed opinion, but it vividly showed the band's refusal to settle. Binding existential themes with avant-garde music, it is one of the boldest records in the career.