Let's be real for a second. Most "rarities" albums are just a cynical cash grab. You usually get three decent tracks and about ten minutes of distorted garage rehearsals that should have stayed in the vault. But when it comes to the Avenged Sevenfold Diamonds in the Rough songs, the vibe is totally different. This isn't just a collection of leftovers; it’s a weirdly essential skeletal map of where the band was headed during their most ambitious era.
If you were around in 2008, you remember the "White Album" cycle. The band was pivoting. Hard. They were moving away from the metalcore screaming of Waking the Fallen and the polished thrash of City of Evil into something... theatrical. Self-produced. A bit insane. Diamonds in the Rough was originally just a bonus disc for the Live in the LBC DVD, but it has somehow outlasted its "bonus" status to become a fan-favorite pillar of their discography.
Honestly, it’s a miracle some of these tracks didn't make the self-titled record.
The Tracks That Almost Defined an Era
You can't talk about this record without talking about "Demons." It’s heavy. It’s got that signature Synyster Gates melodic phrasing that feels like a dark carnival ride. Why wasn't it on the main album? Likely because the self-titled record was already stuffed with experimental tracks like "A Little Piece of Heaven." There’s only so much room for madness on one disc.
Then you have "Girl I Know." This song is a polarizing one. The lyrics are, well, they're "of their time," let’s put it that way. It’s a bit sleazy, very rock 'n' roll, and sounds more like something out of the Sunset Strip in 1987 than Huntington Beach in 2007. But the riff? The riff is undeniable. It showcases the band's ability to write a hook that gets stuck in your head for three days straight, whether you want it there or not.
The Rev’s Fingerprints
One of the main reasons these songs carry so much weight now is Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. Since he passed away shortly after these sessions, every recording of his drumming and backing vocals is sacred to the fanbase. On "Crossroads," you hear that frantic, polyrhythmic energy that only he could provide. The song tackles the theme of religious and social judgment, a recurring motif for M. Shadows, but it’s the rhythm section—the chemistry between The Rev and Johnny Christ—that makes it hit home.
"Until the End" feels like a precursor to the grand ballads they’d eventually master on Hail to the King. It’s got orchestration. It’s got heart. It feels like a "thank you" letter to their fans and each other. If you listen closely, you can hear the seeds of their future stadium-rock sound being planted right here in a collection of supposed rejects.
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Why the 2020 Re-release Changed Everything
For years, if you wanted to hear these tracks on Spotify or Apple Music, you were out of luck. You had to go to YouTube and listen to a 240p rip or find your old physical DVD. That changed in 2020. The band didn't just dump the old files; they expanded the tracklist.
They added "Set Me Free," a song recorded during the Hail to the King sessions. It’s a slow burn. It’s got this cinematic quality that feels like it belongs over the end credits of a gritty Western. Adding it to the Avenged Sevenfold Diamonds in the Rough songs lineup finally gave the track a home. It also included "St. James," a soaring tribute to The Rev that previously only appeared as a bonus track on Hail to the King.
- "4:00 AM": A moody, atmospheric track that shows the band's softer, more progressive side.
- "Lost It All": High-octane energy that fits perfectly with the Nightmare era sound.
- "Flash of the Blade": An Iron Maiden cover that proves they can out-gallop the masters when they want to.
The inclusion of covers like "Walk" (Pantera) and "Paranoid" (Black Sabbath) might seem like filler to some, but they serve as a masterclass in how A7X pays homage. They don't just mimic; they "Avenged-ify" the tracks. Synyster Gates taking on Dimebag Darrell’s solos isn't just a tribute—it’s a passing of the torch.
The Production Style: Raw vs. Refined
Usually, B-sides sound like garbage. They’re unmixed or "demos." That isn't the case here. The production on the core Diamonds in the Rough tracks is remarkably consistent with the 2007 self-titled album. It has that punchy, mid-2000s metal sheen. The drums are loud. The guitars are panned wide. Shadows' vocals are right in your face, gritty and melodic in equal measure.
Wait. There is one weird outlier. "Tension."
"Tension" is perhaps the most experimental thing they did in that era. It has these strange, clean guitar verses that feel almost like jazz or funk before exploding into a massive, melancholic chorus. It deals with the mundane stress of everyday life—work, bills, the "tension" of just existing. It’s relatable in a way that "Bat Country" isn't. It’s a song for the fans who like the band because they’re weird, not just because they’re loud.
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The "Alternate" Versions
The 2020 digital version also tossed in some "Alternate Versions" of hits like "Almost Easy" and "Afterlife." For a casual listener, these might seem redundant. Why listen to a slightly different version of a song you’ve heard a thousand times?
Because of the layers. The "Afterlife" alternate version features different string arrangements. It changes the entire mood of the bridge. It’s like looking at a famous painting from a different angle. You see the brushstrokes you missed the first time. For the die-hard fans, these versions are a treasure trove of "what if" scenarios. They offer a glimpse into the band's decision-making process in the studio.
A Legacy of Rarity
Avenged Sevenfold has always been a band that rewards deep diving. They have hidden tracks, ARG (Alternate Reality Game) marketing, and a complex lore. The Avenged Sevenfold Diamonds in the Rough songs are the centerpiece of that "collector" culture. They represent a time when the band was fearless. They were self-producing for the first time, reeling from the massive success of City of Evil, and trying to figure out who they were without a big-name producer in their ear.
Some people claim this album is better than the self-titled one. That’s a hot take, but it’s not entirely crazy. There’s a spontaneity here. It feels less "calculated" for radio and more like five guys in a room trying to out-play each other.
The Hidden Gems You Missed
If you haven't sat down with "Dancing Dead" lately, go do it. The guitar solo in the middle is arguably one of Gates' best. It’s got this "oom-pah" circus rhythm behind it that shouldn't work in a metal song, yet it’s the highlight of the entire track. It’s playful. It’s technical. It’s quintessentially A7X.
Then there’s "The Fight." It’s an upbeat, almost punk-infused anthem. It lacks the dark atmosphere of their later work, but it makes up for it with pure, unadulterated energy. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to drive a bit too fast on the highway.
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How to Experience These Songs Today
To truly appreciate this collection, you have to stop viewing it as an album. It’s a time capsule.
Don't just shuffle it. Listen to it while looking at the timeline of the band's career. See how "Crossroads" leads into the aggression of Nightmare. See how "Until the End" paves the way for the grandiosity of The Stage.
- Check out the 2020 Expanded Edition: This is the definitive version on streaming platforms. It combines the original 2008 tracks with later B-sides like "Set Me Free" and "Black Reign" era songs like "Mad Hatter."
- Watch the Live in the LBC performances: Many of these songs were written around the same time as this legendary show. Seeing the band's energy during that era provides the perfect visual context for the sound of Diamonds in the Rough.
- Analyze the lyrics of "Crossroads": It’s one of Shadows’ most direct takes on the "us vs. them" mentality that defined the band's early relationship with critics.
Ultimately, these songs aren't "leftovers." They are the connective tissue of a band that refused to stay in one lane. Whether it’s the thrashy riffs of "Demons" or the weird, jazzy undertones of "Tension," this collection proves that even Avenged Sevenfold's "discarded" ideas are better than most bands' lead singles.
If you’re building a playlist, start with "Dancing Dead" and "Demons." They capture the core essence. From there, move into "Set Me Free" to see how their songwriting evolved over the next decade. There’s a lot to dig through, but for anyone who calls themselves a fan, it’s mandatory listening.
Actionable Insights for Fans
To get the most out of this era of the band, track down the original Live in the LBC concert footage. It was recorded at the height of their 2008 powers and features the most iconic lineup in their history. If you're a musician, pay close attention to the dual-lead harmonies in "Dancing Dead"—they are a perfect example of the "Thirds" harmony technique that Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance popularized in the mid-2000s metal scene. Finally, compare the production of the "Afterlife" alternate version to the radio edit; the subtle shifts in the orchestral mix provide a great lesson in how much "final polish" can change the emotional weight of a song.