'Bat Country' is a re-release from some schlock Eighties hair metal outfit, right? No?

Fuck...

Should be, whatever Avenged Sevenfold's contemporary metal status: this slice of mega-chorused, absolutely over-the-top, super-riffed pop-rock is factory designed for airing in stadia across the globe. While they share an aesthetic consanguinity with so many so-called hardcore acts, Avenged Sevenfold very obviously have their collective tongue in their plump, cliché-filled cheek.

"My hand is on the trigger... I'm ready to ignite... I'm starting to burn..."

Oh come on, really - this is Motley Crüe, or even Maiden maybe, trying to be 'today', yeah? Yeah. Where's my stars and stripes bandanna?