Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare

Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare - Meaning of the song

This is the first single and title track from the fifth studio album by American metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It's also the first single to be released without former drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, who died of a drug overdose on December 28, 2009. Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, a major influence on Avenged Sevenfold, agreed to finish recording the album's drum tracks. Portnoy was devastated by the Rev's death because they both struggled with addiction, in Portnoy's case, alcohol.

Portnoy explained:

"When I see what happened to The Rev or Paul Gray from Slipknot, who recently died, I feel terrible because I understand the disease and how dangerous it is, and if you're an addict or an alcoholic, like me, the writing's on the wall. You can't live that way and expect to live a long and happy life. You know, that way of life and that disease I have are going to kill you. When you're that deep, you only have two options: get sober or end up in hospitals, institutions, death, or jail. When you're that bad of an alcoholic or addict, you only have two options. And ten years ago, I saw the writing on the wall. Back then, in the late 1990s, I had a son and a daughter, and I could see that my alcoholism was killing me physically, emotionally, and mentally. And I saw what it did to some of my heroes, like Keith Moon and John Bonham, and it terrified me. I had to make a choice. I just wanted to live. I wanted to be a father and a husband, as well as be present for my family, friends, and band. That's when I decided to seek help and become sober."

The album takes the listener on a dark journey. Prior to recording Nightmare, guitarist Zacky Vengeance said that Avenged were taking inspiration from the world around them. "We came off of the road amidst one of the most turbulent times in history," he said. "Everything going on around us was overwhelming, frightening, frustrating and confusing. I must confess that it was also very exciting to me. I'm sure you can share my sentiment." Vengeance added: "We have been focused on only one thing: writing and preparing to record what to me is our most personal and epic Avenged Sevenfold album. The reason is the fact that everything happening around us in the entire world might be a once-in-a-lifetime source of inspiration and direction."

Nightmare - Lyrics

Nightmare! (Now your nightmare comes to life) Dragged ya down below Down to the devil's show To be his guest forever (Peace of mind is less than never) Hate to twist your mind But God ain't on your side An old acquaintance severed (Burn the world your last endeavor) Flesh is burning You can smell it in the air 'Cause men like you have Such an easy soul to steal (steal) So stand in line while They ink numbers in your head You're now a slave Until the end of time here Nothing stops the madness Turning, haunting, yearning Pull the trigger You should have known The price of evil And it hurts to know That you belong here, yeah Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare (While your nightmare comes to life) Can't wake up in sweat 'Cause it ain't over yet Still dancing with your demons (Victim of your own creation) Beyond the will to fight Where all that's wrong is right Where hate don't need a reason (Loathing self-assassination) You've been lied to Just to rape you of your sight And now they have the nerve To tell you how to feel (feel) So sedated as they Medicate your brain And while you slowly Go insane they tell ya "Given with the best intentions Help you with your complications" You should have known The price of evil And it hurts to know That you belong here, yeah No one to call Everybody to fear Your tragic fate is looking so clear, yeah Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare Fight (fight) Not to fail (fail) Not to fall (fall) Or you'll end up like the others Die (die) Die again (die) Drenched in sin (sin) With no respect for another Down (down) Feel the fire (fire) Feel the hate (hate) Your pain is what we desire Lost (lost) Hit the wall (wall) Watch you crawl (crawl) Such a replaceable liar And I know you hear their voices Calling from above And I know they may seem real These signals of love But our life's made up of choices Some without appeal They took for granted your soul And it's ours now to steal (As your nightmare comes to life) You should have known The price of evil And it hurts to know That you belong here, yeah No one to call Everybody to fear Your tragic fate is looking so clear, yeah Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare