Album of the Day

“We wanted to have a dark concept record, sort of like THE WALL or OPERATION: MINDCRIME,” said bassist Johnny Christ of Avenged Sevenfold's NIGHTMARE. “Then lyrically it took a different turn when Jimmy passed.” The 2009 death of drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan during the recording was a terrible blow to the Huntington Beach heavy metal band, but with Dream Theater percussionist Mike Portnoy filling in, the Warner Bros. set became a powerful and poignant tribute. “Welcome to the Family,” “Buried Alive,” “So Far Away” and the title track were instant hard rock classics, and the collection debuted at No.1 on the Billboard chart upon its release 10 years ago today. Vocally and instrumentally, A7X give NIGHTMARE everything they've got, and the gold-certified album is a must for any metal fan.