Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold

I received my copy of Avenged Sevenfold's new self-titled CD in the mail Friday a few days ahead of the street release date. I wasn't quite sure what to expect because this is a band with a constantly evolving sound and the band had already hinted that this album would be no exception. If their sound changed as much as it did between the last two albums (Waking the Fallen and City of Evil), the result could be anything. All I knew was I was very excited.
The first listen through was a bit of a shock. My initial reaction was "Okaaaaaayyyyy.... what... uh.. what's this?" I withheld judgement (as I always do on the first listen of anything) and realized that the least I could say was they have reached the pinnacle of their creativity. They are all over the place from powerful metal on Critical Acclaim and Almost Easy, to the eight minute Tim Burtonesque (not surprising after learning that two former Boingo members collaborated) mini rock opera A Little Piece of Heaven, to the country inspired final track Dear God. The biggest shocker.... Niki liked it.
I just finished listening to the entire album for the second time. This time I was able to put aside my preconceptions and actually hear it. I may be a bit premature in saying this but I think the third listen through is going to blow my f'ing mind.
Update: Mind blown.