All Excess Review

Release Date: July 17, 2007
Prior to the release later this year of the band's next explosive album, the DVD All Excess brings fans up-to-date with a visual and aural history of the group. This is only the beginning for A7X.

Sound:	8
Content:	7.2
Production:	8.4
Impression:	7.2
Overall rating:	7.7
Users rating:	8.8
Comments:	39

overall: 10

Featured review by: razorblade666, on october 25, 2007

Sound: What a great way for A7X to psych everyone up about the new album. If you didn't know, All Excess is a DVD chronicling the early days of the band and eventually leading up to what they are today. There are interviews with each memeber on a number of topics. The bonus features are amazing. This DVD is a must have for any true A7X fan. // 10

Content: The DVD shows what the band went through. How times got rough and they didn't have money or food. They tell you a lot of great stories about them before they were "famous". I can not get enough of this DVD. They have live performances, music videos, and behing the scenes stuff. There are a lot of hilarious parts throughout the whole DVD. One part in particular, there just driving around Cali showing you were they hung out back in the day and they tell some amazing stories. I'm not gonna say anymore because you have to buy the DVD, if you want to know. // 10

Production Quality: The quality of the production was amazing. It was well put together from my point of view. The menus are easy to navigate. The quality of the entire movie is probably the best yet to come. I can truly say that they worked hard on this and they acheieved the best quality. // 10

Impression: My overall impression of this DVD, is that it couldn't have been better. Who doesn't wanna know what happend to there favorite band before they were big. The maind story is the most impressive thing. All the hardships they had to go through. Amazing. I wouldn't have asked for anything better. // 10

overall: 4.8

Reviewed by: humanchipmunk, on july 24, 2007

Sound: As an Avenged Sevenfold fan who has been with them since before Waking The Fallen, a DVD has been long anticipated. Expecting to see the concert I attended a year ago at Soma in San Diego they filmed to later show on MTV2, I was somewhat saddened to hear it was strictly a documentary. // 5

Content: It certainly is not a live concert DVD, but more of an homage to the many places the band has gotten hammered, plastered, shit faced, etc. The first half shows the coming together of the band and where they grew up and went to school. They also made sure to mention the many bars, fights, and arrests that also occurred in their growing up. However, the second half was slightly more interesting with their discussing the coming together of City of Evil and the very brief shots in the studio showing the orchestra that played on a couple tracks. As a musician I would have much rather seen footage of them in the studio recording tracks or just jamming rather then seeing them in bars drunk off their asses. To be honest the special features were more interesting than the documentary as a whole. // 3

Production Quality: The quality of the DVD as a whole is quite good. The live concert shots, though far too few, are professionally done with multiple angles as opposed to a stationary camera that doesn't pick up everything well. There were shots of each individual band member interview style talking about certain things which weren't spectacular but well put together. // 8

Impression: My overall impression as someone that appreciates the music more than anything was the DVD was disappointing. They briefly talk about at the end how much they admire Metallica, however Metallica has a few live concert DVDs, and even on "Some Kind Of Monster" there is a lot of footage of them in the studio. Perhaps somewhere down the line A7X will follow in the footsteps of their heroes, but as for now I don't think the DVD was worth the money or the time spent watching it. Sadly if it was stolen I would just let it go. // 3

overall: 7.8

Reviewed by: dan4ftball14, on february 09, 2008

Sound: Well first off this DVD isn't one for a tour or live concerts or anything, but rather a behind the scenes story of Avenged Sevenfold. It does include, however, a collection of shots from different shows while performing 'Bat Country.' The music you hear is a live version of bat country, you just don't know which show was the one they recorded it from. // 7

Content: This DVD is basically a full history of Avenged Sevenfold with a bunch of other random facts thrown in there. Did you know The Rev lived in a laundry mat for 6 months? I bet you don't care, but if you do, then by god you should buy it. If you are a real Avenged Sevenfold fan, you will probably enjoy it, but if not you would think it was a waste of time. If your thinking about buying it, remember that it's more of a one or two time see kind of thing. Once you have seen it, you will already know every little thing you could possibly know about Avenged Sevenfold already. It's more of collectors item after that. // 8

Production Quality: Most of the DVD was actually shot with hand held camera's, so the quality isn't necessarily the best. Although a lot of it was shot with hand held cameras, I think it was better that way. It would have felt like you were watching the History Channel if it was all interviews and past shows. I do applaud how they can take these shots, combine them with some old pictures and cell phone videos of past concerts, and some good quality interviews and turn it into quite a decent production. // 7

Impression: Overall it was a pretty good video. It really makes you feel more connected with the members of Avenged Sevenfold by knowing there struggles and such. There's nothing I really hated about this DVD, but if your not a real Avenged Sevenfold fan, but might not like it. It's not like just a bunch of shows and there songs, but more of an informational DVD. Just on a subject you might pay attention to. If it was stolen I probably wouldn't buy it again, though. It's more of a one time see movie, and after watching it serves as more of a collectors item. If your really into collecting Avenged Sevenfold merchandise, though, I would totally advise you buying this DVD once more. // 9

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: shabutie86, on january 25, 2008

Sound: The sound was very good in the DVD. There were always clear and good production valued concert footage, however usually throughout the DVD when there was concert footage they would generally play the actual track over the video, much like the music video for "Unholy Confessions". Most generally people would call Avenged Sevenfold "metalcore" or as more conservative metal heads would sneer "nu-metal". Either way Avenged Sevenfold is a nice callback to the earlier days of metal when it was about rocking. Period. // 9

Content: The content of the DVD, being what the DVD actually is, which is more of a behind the scenes of Avenged Sevenfold, then actually AX7 concert, is very good. The main chunk of the DVD is a camera crew following around Ax7 while they tour and discuss their past present and the future of their releases. The time frame is sometime, perhaps a year after City of Evil was released and gave Ax7 the mainstream light that they wholly deserve. They show how they each got their names, go back to places where they went to high school. Old romping places and bars. Shows a little of behind the scenes in Green rooms and all the trouble the boys get into. As for extras there is not infact a WHOLE lot of extras but there is a few tidbits to chew on for hardcore fans. There are Music Videos of their current and former releases as well as commentaries the boys from the band give during the music videos, and one in which the director gives a commentary as well. There is also a "Making the Video" for "Seize the Day" which follows a store robbery, jail time and a pregnant woman getting hit in a car by a truck, all very cool stuff. A slolid 8 for content! // 8

Production Quality: The production quality for the DVD was top notch, no point at any time during the DVD did I ever think that I was watching anything short of a high budget MTV style behind the music show. It was just about 2 hours long which is the only thing that gave it away. One thing they do is imitate a bit of Hunter S. Thompson influence, which comes heavily from their hit son "Bat Country" a tribute to the book and movie "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" as well as Hunter Thompson and the art styles his personal artist Ralph Steadman incorporates in all of the artwork. This would include the splattered ink, disfigured people, druggie looking effects. As far as the production goes, this one would have to get a 9, as the menu was impressive and constantly active. // 9

Impression: As far as I've seen from some artists and the DVD's that they have put out, this one has defiantly have to be one of the more top notch DVD's one could tell it wasn't just put out to appease fans between Cd's however conveniently enough it serves that purpose. But it chronicles Ax7's struggle from being a no-name band from Huntington Beach to super stars with legions of loyal fans, music videos, rock n' roll songs and the lifestyle. Throughout the DVD many members of the band appear to be, or are under the influence of alcohol. Best part of the DVD for me was Synaster Gates crawling across a table full of guiness beers full to the brim, knocking them over just to give the man sitting across a shot. Brilliant! A must buy for a serious fan! // 9

overall: 7.3

Reviewed by: axenoob, on august 06, 2007

Sound: The sound quality is well DVD quality. it's what you'd expect from Avenged Sevenfold on their DVD. One thing I particularly liked was the background music during the documentary is the instrument tracks from their songs, with the vocals taken out for the most part. // 9

Content: When I first heard about this DVD I was expecting it to be similar to Tenacious D's Complete Masterworks disc where it had a complete concert, all the music videos, all the tv appearances and a short documentary. But I was disappointed when I found that the main emphasis on this disc was the documentary. Don't get me wrong, it has some good stuff in there but the initial shock that it was so far off what I expected made it seem worse than it actually is. The documentary tells about how the band met and formed and then goes into how the band rose from garage punk band to the platinum record making band (for Waking the Fallen, give City of Evil some time). It also has the band going back to places they hung out when they were just starting out including the now infamous "this is where we got drunk" spot. It also showed them walking the campus of their high school and sharing stories. As for the live performances, they were spot on and awesome, but it was too short and the song selection wasn't that great. They should have had more songs on there and I would have killed to have Second Heartbeat on there instead of Trashed and Scattered. The music videos section was great. It had optional commentary by the band or the director on all of their major music videos, Unholy Confessions, Bat Country, Beast and the Harlot and Seize the Day plus the "making of" that was released online for Seize the Day. The last section in the DVD is the outtakes section. I don't really get why they called it outtakes when it really was more of a deleted scenes section. // 7

Production Quality: For the most part this was a straight documentary with some bonus features. You can really tell that they wanted this to be something the fans would like because the documentary is very well done. There really aren't any fancy tricks or special effects. It's really just a straight up documentary/music video/live disc. // 8

Impression: This is their first DVD and I'm sure with all the negative feedback about not having enough live footage I'm sure their next one will be better. The most impressive thing about this DVD was it basically showed what it takes to make it in the music business. If you want it to be your life then you have to put your life on hold and get out there and get noticed. It's something I'd like to get into someday but I don't know if I have the patience/determination/motivation to go through all they've done. My favorite thing on the DVD is obviously the 4 live performances, but I hate that there are only 4 songs and the main emphasis on this disc is the documentary when I really would have rather had a concert dvd. This disc really isn't too terrible but it takes a while to get over the initial shock that it's not a concert DVD. If it were lost or stolen I probably wouldn't mind too much because one, all the concert footage is on youtube and two, the documentary isn't really something you need to see repeatedly. Bottom line, this disc isn't that bad, but when you realize that it's not a concert DVD then you'll be pissed. // 5

Comments

[guitarist41]

Damn. I was looking forward too this and was going to buy it yesterday but the store never had it.

[Guitarfreak777]

It wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be.

[Dilley]

ARGH, was also looking forward to it, it really is a shame

[axenoob]

I have it and I was really expecting a lot more live concert footage. There are only four songs though. Beast and the Harlot, Trashed and Scattered, Syn's Solo and Bat Country. The one song I was hoping for a high quality live version, Second Heartbeat, wasn't there.

[HavokStrife]

What a letdown.

Thanks for posting this and keeping me from blowing 20 bucks on a bunch of stupid hijinks and BS I probably already know about the band...

Man, WTF (no pun intended) is up with A7X nowadays? Cancel their whole entire tour to make an album that they haven't given any insight into since they said "we're cancelling all our dates and going into the studio." Oh, I'm sorry, they said there's songs that sound like AC/DC. I don't like AC/DC and I just think Shadows and the gang are gunna look like a bunch of goofs playing music like that in this day and age.

How about some more ground-breaking metal? Or is that too much to ask...

Then they say they're putting out a DVD in the spring... I totally forget about it, comes out in the summer, and sucks ass.

I really hate this new spell check too.. >.

[METALLICAFAN77]

god i REALLY hope you are wrong.....my GF got it and im going to watch it at her house when i go over there.....ffingers crossed!

[jtom2343]

AC/DC! I hate AC?DC! Are you serious? I can't believe A7X would even consider going in that direction.

[metallica4evr]

well that sux....

[drakenshadow]

this band sux anyway.

they sound like a bunch of guitars with adhd.

[SuperRitsu]

well that sux....

QFT

[Mr.McAwesom2112]

Wow. This is BS. WTF are they thinking? When you buy a bands dvd you expect concert footage, not "Well here's the place i got so f***ing drunk that me and Shadows had gay sex in the back of some guys car". And AC/DC? Why don't you just make a polka album. I mean ive been a fan for a long time, but it seems like nowadays their trying to stick it to the fans...

[cobainworshiper]

I hate ACDC! A7X has been one of my favorite bands for a while now, and if they go anywhere in that direction, omg I will be ticked! As for they DVD, it'll be kinda kool to see whow they started and everything, but no live shows is just annoying

[guitar4life24]

AC/DC? there ok A7X stick 2 metal

[spikedemon!]

Haven't seen it but i'd like to check it out. I've seen a7x live, and they were way to damn quit, the openers put on louder potentially better shows. Anyways i'd much rather see them getting drunk than in concert again. And dont get me wrong, i love their music. Big fan. I download everything.

[SchitzoJoe]

Personally, I loved it. Alot. They even said in interviews that they didn't want to do a normal ol' "live footage" DVD like all other bands do, but they wanted to do something that actually shows what a day in the eyes of a member of A7X is like.

And they captured that very well. Most of their day apparently includes alcohol.

[Mass_debator]

poona wrote:

MikESPviper wrote:

Avenge are a wana be punk band with a singer who tries to much. and they was they dress they must be backstage like... 3 hours getting their bandannas around their head "just right."

Nothing wrong with pushing yourself to become the best you can be. 'No pain, no gain', as they say. The guitarists do look pretty silly though.

Sounds like a pretty lame DVD, if its just footage of A7X being drunk I might as well watch Metallica's 'Year and a Half' video, or even Some Kind of Monster (actually that movie is fun to watch)

Dude, Year and a half has lots of performances, studio shit, rehearsal stuff and music videos and that legendary performance with James doing vocals and Tony Iommi playing rhythm guitar for Queen. Cut it a bit of slack there bud! Sounds like A7x went the way of Shadow's Fall in terms of DVD output. The Shadow's Fall DVD is pretty much the most grotesque waste of the slimy stuff that they make dvd's out of since Britney live in Vegas.

[cyclonus78]

i tell u what, listen to a song called 'innocent exile' by iron maiden and ul see where avenged got the idea of using the opening and bridge riffs in Second Heartbeat from

[SynysterSlash]

Ok, First of all. You guys apparently expected WAAY too much. It has everything. Live performances that were ****in SPOT ON. Background info on the band. Some funny ass special features. Its thier FIRST DVD! cut some ****ing slack. They are a great band. They deserve what they have when theyve waited 8 long ass years.

[Chisao]

yep

[ordinary_story]

cyclonus78 wrote:

i tell u what, listen to a song called 'innocent exile' by iron maiden and ul see where avenged got the idea of using the opening and bridge riffs in Second Heartbeat from

Innocent exile sounds nothing like second heartbeat u desperado.. get a life.

[A7Xaddict]

i think it was awesome.
seeing how it all began.

[sykguitaryst]

cyclonus78 wrote:

i tell u what, listen to a song called 'innocent exile' by iron maiden and ul see where avenged got the idea of using the opening and bridge riffs in Second Heartbeat from

um, i think its called 'inspiration' and its only like a chain of 5 notes that sound the same; which is totally not out of the ordinary considering theyre both using guitars.

[krimsonmoon]

jeez sounds lke it sucks , have to see it first

[RipDimeX]

ah all your haters make me laugh

if you dont like a7x why do you still post here?
to piss of people? or make a fool of yourself?

keep it to yourself
give me a good reason why you should tell people a7x sucks and all that

its just jealousy that runs through all of you
i want to see your band make a dvd
tour with metallica
get as much fans as a7x has
if your band can do that then ill back off

there is better bands then a7x but they are just starting

[Acheron95]

Ha you guys are something; they never said they were going to make a Live concert DVD, since they announced they always been plugging it as more of a look into there lives with a FEW live songs put in there.

If you bought/thought this was a full concert video then you should have done your research.

[Saofan12]

i thought it was great, inspiring too,i dont mind that theyre drunk half the time

[dry85]

I went to the DVD premier in Hollywood, I thought it was awesome. I documentary with some music and bonus features added. Is this not what the title emplies? "All Excess" of course it will be about drinking and crazy times 9/10..

Also... 10/16/07!

[GodofCheesecake]

Avenged Sevenfold make incredible music, but they have a downright shitty image. They say they're not trying to make music simply to appeal to mainstream, yet they do EVERYTHING that a steriotypical MTV metal band would do, i.e. drugs, drinking, partying nonstop, etc, and they release a DVD showing them doing just that, which means they WANT people to see them doing that, because they think it makes them look cool...

[SynSchecter]

hey, its hilarious how many dipsh**s out there take the time to come into an a7x review just to make fun of them, that just shows how pathetic they r, also, the dvd is awesome, shows how they are backstage, instead of live concert vids, where u dont rly get to see the people behind the instruments, which is pretty cool, so yah, f*** u all who think a7x is gay, i dont care if u dislike them, but f*** u for saying it

[Hardrockbryan]

This sucks, one of my favorite bands with my 2nd favorite guitarist is really going downhill, first they make a documentary of getting drunk, then they wanna sound like AC/ DC (in my opinion AC/ DC is really plain), then they make a frikken political song. I knew it couldn't get any better than City of Evil. I hope theyre next album isn't the end of them.

[mafoogles]

it's not strictly dosumentary, there is some concert footage and music video's, but it's a damn good documentery as well

[sykguitaryst]

GodofCheesecake wrote:

Avenged Sevenfold make incredible music, but they have a downright shitty image. They say they're not trying to make music simply to appeal to mainstream, yet they do EVERYTHING that a steriotypical MTV metal band would do, i.e. drugs, drinking, partying nonstop, etc, and they release a DVD showing them doing just that, which means they WANT people to see them doing that, because they think it makes them look cool...

yea, even though they've clearly been partying/drinking before the fame. thats just them being them, i personally think they look cool as hell for getting drunk and hitting the stage that good. and this dvd was awesome. keep listening to their "music" not their "image" :\

[Vintage_Axe]

Avenge are a wana be punk band

learn what a punk band is ass...

= black-flag
= sex pistols
= Ramones

[Azzagunner]

cyclonus78 wrote:

i tell u what, listen to a song called 'innocent exile' by iron maiden and ul see where avenged got the idea of using the opening and bridge riffs in Second Heartbeat from

Oh come off it, it's called the Minor Scale.

[jfsj123]

lol Azzagunner is right. y do u care people always nick other peoples styles. if u think about it everyone is copying every single note who somebody or somepeople did. the guy who invented notes and stuff gets ripped off by every guitaist, bassist, kyboardist, pianist etc. Let it res

[XxMarcellahXx]

i really like this DvD. i thought it was a great way to show everyone what they are really like.

[shallowbay29006]

i loved this dvd. i don't really give 2 shits what yall think. a7x kicks ass.

[TheReverend724]

GodofCheesecake wrote:

Avenged Sevenfold make incredible music, but they have a downright shitty image. They say they're not trying to make music simply to appeal to mainstream, yet they do EVERYTHING that a steriotypical MTV metal band would do, i.e. drugs, drinking, partying nonstop, etc, and they release a DVD showing them doing just that, which means they WANT people to see them doing that, because they think it makes them look cool...

...no, its means they like to party and arent a bunch of stuck up stiffs


dvd was great, fun and inspiring
its funny to see the rev wear a komono in high skewl
a7x for life

[Nodin]

i loved this dvd, it was defintaly the shit, so for all you avenged sevenfold haters you can all suck a ****en dick lol...learn how to appreciate good music, they have gone really far for just a beginning band, jeez cut em a bit a slack