By releasing the opening track off their major label debut, City Of Evil, *Avenged Sevenfold *are merely sending a curt reminder of their pseudo-goth bombast to their fans before embarking on a short UK tour.

_‘Beast And The Harlot’ _suffers the sad affliction of being comparable to such luminaries as Guns ‘N’ Roses and Iron Maiden. It’s a marked transformation from their doom-laden beginnings to this upbeat, singalong, bad metal extravaganza. Ridiculously named guitarist Zacky Vengeance’s previously much darker compositions have given way to carefully orchestrated, intricate cheesefests such as this highly political but heavily veiled song about religion, war and the associated pillaging.

A7X, and musclebound vocalist *M. Shadows *in particular, have always tried to carry a message of sorts within their horribly camp collection of songs and this commendable facet may well prove to be their redemption and their key to longevity. It doesn’t get them off the hook, though, from this truly cringeworthy effort.