For a headliner that’s filled arenas like the Entertainment Centre, it’s surprising that Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) hasn’t managed to sell out The Big Top. But that’s OK — it means more viewing room for the rest of us. Not that viewing is an issue when each member of the band has his own dedicated elevation on the already elevated stage. Yes, these guys are big business.
But first things first: openers. English metalcore/screamo/electronicore outfit Asking Alexandria welcomes the barrier pushers with a noise that can be heard all the way from the Harbour Bridge and antics to complement.
Five Finger Death PunchIt feels like the game gets tamer as the night rolls along. Five Finger Death Punch (5FDP) enters the stage on the coattails of a recording, enchanting and teasing the fans for at least a minute (or so it felt that way) in the lead-up to 'Under And Over It'. It’s amazing what an outlet like screaming your thoughts and emotions out is, because despite this Vegas band’s anger-driven musical display, this is seriously one nice band.
Five Finger Death PunchThey smile, wink and wave throughout their set, welcome and congratulate each and every crowdsurfer that makes it into security-territory with a high five (this by lead singer Ivan Moody), and flick picks into the crowd as though they were droplets of water intended to satiate the thirsty. Billy Ray Cryus’ heavy-metal doppelganger, Jason Hook, is particularly guilty of this, having perfected the strum-flick-strum-flick pick move.
Five Finger Death PunchA point to a boy in the front row and a fan is up, singing along to 'Burn MF' and acting all rock ‘n’ roll by drinking from the band’s store of water bottles and throwing them into the mosh. It’s their standout song in an 8-strong set and has the fans swearing like sailors.
Five Finger Death PunchBut back to business and the punters are chanting “sevenfold” to the top of the tent in anticipation. Cloaked in darkness, the boys sweep across the stage; M Shadows in his signature sunglasses and black muscle tee, Synester Gates with customised white and black pinstripe branded guitar, Johnny Christ spiked up and ready to roll, Zachy Vengeance slicking up his bass, and Arin Ilejay slipping silently behind his drum kit not to be seen again until he tosses his bruised sticks at the eager hands of the crowd.
Avenged Sevenfold'Shepherd Of Fire' plays as the stage floods with light and A7X stand like gods on pedestals. Perhaps it’s because M Shadows is more inclined to continue screaming his lyrical genius into the mike than slap the hand of the brazen punter, but the crowdsurfing seems to ease. Shadows turns off the spotlight early to apologise for cancelling the previous year’s Soundwave and promises to make amends by returning to our shores more often. Then, he advises we prepare for a special show. And it is.
Avenged SevenfoldDusty songs fly off the shelf; 'Eternal Rest' and 'Burn It Down' having not made the cut live for nearly five years, and classic 'Seize The Day' having missed the past handful of Australian concerts too.
Avenged SevenfoldVoices rise from both sides of the barrier, seeking to blow the roof off, with 'Buried Alive', 'Nightmare', 'Hail To The King' and 'Afterlife'. There’s an ominous, glorious, hush at the sound of Gate’s killer guitar solo. But silence is a limited grace, and the noise rises again for that eponymous “sevenfold” chant to encore.
Avenged SevenfoldIt’s a short, sweet and satisfying one beginning with 'Unholy Confessions', which sends the death circle deep into the pit, and concluding with a non-stop high-speed ride to the temple of 'A Little Piece of Heaven' where we all pump our fists and raise our animal horns in worship to the greatness that stands at the altar before us.
Amen.
