Since the band formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach California, Avenged Sevenfold has paved their way to the forefront of the metal scene. Some consider Avenged Sevenfold to be the modern Metallica and innovator for of the evolving metal sound. Their music features a thrashing double bass drum, mind melting guitar riffs and solos, with beautifully written philosophical lyrics.
Avenged Sevenfold has taken their decades of revolutionary songs and created a transcending visual experience.
They take their latest album, The Stage, and its concept of humanity's increasing reliance on technological advances and designed a set and visual experience, which warns us to be weary of our addiction to technology. Avenged Sevenfold leaves its audience stunned and utterly blown away after a fulfilling two hour set.
Though they do play a decent amount of music from the new album, the real treat was hearing the vast amount of songs from their earlier albums, Waking the Fallen, City of Evil, Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare, and Hail to the King.
The first ever Avenged Sevenfold song I heard was Critical Acclaim, of their self titled album Avenged Sevenfold. I was in 6th grade and a disgruntled 12-year-old. I was immediately hooked. They embodied my inner teenage angst, and wrote music that spoke to my soul.
I remember sitting at home and watching full Avenged Sevenfold concerts off of youtube for hours on end. All I wanted to bust through my screen and get right in the action.
Avenged Sevenfold opened their encore set with this songs, and left me hurdling my body into the middle of a mosh pit. My inner 12-year-old came out full force.
But, this concert came with caveat. The sad end of a life that still haunts me to this day.
I wish I could have seen them prior to 2009 because that year the band was hit with one of the biggest tragedies to ever strike to metal community. Their drummer Jimmy "The Reverend" Sullivan, "The Rev" for short, was sadly lost to a drug overdose. He is considered to be one of the greatest drummers of the modern era. Since his death the band has gone through a few drummers, despite his loss they have still stayed on top of metal charts across the world.
This travesty also gives the band one of most moving songs which brings the crowd to tears. Prior to playing the song So Far Away, a tribute to their best friend, they show on a video diary of "The Rev" of his life before his death.
This song has become a staple at their concerts and it pays homage to a truly talented individual lost too early. The stadium was filled with people screaming "The Rev!" and it was easy to tell how the crowds reaction to this song takes its toll on the band.
Though this song does carry a lot of weight, Avenged Sevenfold remained in full throttle, taking their sorrowful emotions and morphing them into an aggressive energy which carries the crowd to the finale.
Avenged Sevenfold concludes their show with their break through hit Unholy Confessions, off of Waking the Fallen, and leaves the audience voiceless.
If you want to go through a roller coaster of emotions, while being enlightened by an astounding visual experience. The Stage North American Tour is a must see. You will not be disappointed.
Get ready to rock your ass off.