Avenged Sevenfold has become one of the hard rock/metal heavyweights of their generation. However, they had been quiet since 2018 when they toured and released material for the last time, but thankfully came out of their hibernation earlier this year. They just released Life Is But A Dream… on June 2nd after a four years recording process. And oh boy, it was worth the wait. A7X has never been afraid to try new things and explore new paths, but with this new record, they have created a unique piece of art that doesn’t sound like anything that has ever been made before. Earlier in May, they got back on stage for a handful of festival performances and had a couple of shows set up to prepare before hitting the road in July. On June 9th, we were lucky to catch Avenged Sevenfold at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
At 7pm, NOFX’s Fat Mike got on stage to warm up the crowd and introduce his new project Codefendants, although he only played bass on a few songs towards the end of the set. The band’s energy was incredible and the crowd loved their set. Their music is a blend of rock, ska and hip-hop and their recently released This Is A Crime Wave is absolutely worth listening to. Songs like “Abscessed” and “Sell Me Youth” got a very warm welcome from the Forum.
A bit before 8pm, Falling In Reverse got on stage and the crowd went wild when front man Ronnie Radke appeared as the band opened with “ZOMBIFIED”. Despite Radke being a controversial public figure, the audience sung every word of the Las Vegas band, which proved that there is a lot of support and love for the man. Throughout the set, Ronnie demonstrated how good of a performer he is. His vocals were impeccable and he knew how to get the audience’s energy up. The band played a few songs from their debut album The Drug In Me Is You (2011) and some of their more recent songs that have been the results of crossing trap emo metal. A favorite personal “Watch The World Burns”, released earlier this year as a single was incredible to witness in person. Luke Holland (drums), Max Georgiev (lead guitar), Tyler Burgess (bass) and Christian Thompson (guitar) also had the opportunity to show LA that they are excellent musicians. The set ended after almost one hour with “Popular Monster”, their massive 2019 hit.
A little after 9pm, the lights turned off and Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” came out through the Forum’s speaker. The fans went wild as they know it has been Avenged Sevenfold’s signature intro since their return to the stage in May. The lights progressively turned on to reveal M. Shadows (vocals) sitting on a chair in the middle of the stage with a ski mask on with a “We Love You” inscription on the forehead. Big screens were displayed on the back and side of the stage with projections of the new album’s artwork. The band opened with “Game Over”, the first track of their newly released Life Is But A Dream… and the reaction from the crowd was incredible. The Forum stage was extended which allowed the band to walk around back and forth as well as left and right. Two ramps attached to small platforms were attached to each side of the stage, with microphones which allowed the musicians to connect with the audience on all sides of the arena. The stage was also elevated to allow people in the back of the venue to get a better view. Every detail was thoroughly thought of to ensure that every person in attendance got the best experience possible.
“Mattel” was played next and for the first time ever as it was the case for a few songs from the new album. M. Shadows removed his ski mask for the rest of the show. His vocal skills have always been exceptional but this comeback proves that like fine wine M. Shadows keeps on getting better. Guitar solos from Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates were exceptional. Drummer Brooks Wackerman and bassist Johnny Christ are also incredible musicians and are in total synch, making this rhythm section one of the most powerful around these days.
The band played some of their most famous hits like “Bat Country” from the 2005 City Of Evil and “Hail To The King” from the 2013 album of the same name. Close to half of the setlist was from Life Is But A Dream…, which they almost played entirely. The live rendition of the singles released before the album “We Love You” and “Nobody” were exceptional. Other highlights of the night were the powerful ballads “Buried Alive” and “So Far Away”, both from their classic Nightmare album (2010). Avenged Sevenfold music is powerful, complex, raw and sophisticated all at once, which probably explains their popularity. Anyone can find in their catalog something that they will like.
The band left the stage after playing “A Little Piece Of Heaven” and came back after a few minutes to perform the three-song-suite “G”, “(O)rdinary” and “(D)eath” that is an elevated form of art somewhere between free jazz, classic rock and classical music. The band walked off stage as the instrumental “Life Is But A Dream…” that concludes the new album was playing.
Not only A7X has redefined their own identity and maybe metal music with their new album, but they also proved that they are one of the most incredible act to see perform live. Avenged will play a show at the Madison Square Garden later in June before touring the US and Canada from mid-July to mid-October. Don’t miss out, this is a must-see show.
Codefendants setlist: Def Cons / Abscessed / Suicide By Pigs / Bad Business / Disaster Scenes / Brutiful / Fast Ones / Sell Me Youth
Falling In Reverse setlist: ZOMBIFIED / I’m Not A Vampire / Losing My Mind / Raised By Wolves / F**k You And All Your Friends / Fashionably Late / The Drug In Me Is You / Drugs / Just Like You / Watch The World Burn / Voices In My Head / Popular Monster
Avenged Sevenfold setlist: Game Over / Mattel / Afterlife / Hail To The King / We Love You / Buried Alive / The Stage / So Far Away / Nobody / Nightmare / Bat Country / Unholy Confessions / A Little Piece Of Heaven / G / (O)rdinary / (D)eath / Life Is But A Dream…
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
FALLING IN REVERSE
CODEFENDANTS
Photos + Review by Manuel Gay | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!
