Avenged Sevenfold have doubled down on the experimental, electronic, and hallucinogens. Maybe tripled down on the hallucinogens.
Normally when a band embraces experimentation from their set style, it will divide an audience as well as fan base (Life Is A But A Dream… proved this). A surprise EP from Avenged Sevenfold ten years ago would have had metal fans excited. The year is 2026 and both Avenged fans and metal fans have now received shock for what could possibly be the band’s worst material to date.
Statica is filled with electronic synths, voice-modding, and a barrage of layered tracks to distort any rhythm. It’s hard to break down any specific point to latch onto as there is never a steady pulse. Harsh effects and samples lead to everyone involved sounding unhinged and uncaring.
This is the type of album that doesn’t engage the listener and depends on diehard fans being willing to do a copious amount of mushrooms or acid in order to appreciate it. That’s a big ask.
Some of the vocal effects might be in place to help work around M. Shadows’ remaining vocal issues. Those same vocal effects sound horrendous layered on conflicting percussion and synth work. The results don’t allow you to connect with lyrics or emotion. On top of that, this album wastes the talent of a guitarist like Synyster Gates who barely resembles a wildly skilled musician from the band’s discography.
Four tracks with fleeting highlights leave almost nothing worth revisiting. Avenged Sevenfold may be entertained by this, but it’s hard to imagine anyone else will support the music itself. If the band were to reveal this was all a significant amount of trolling just to receive negative reactions for laughs, I would believe it. Mission accomplished?