Avenged Sevenfold
written by Samuel Henault
Historically, Rock n Roll singers have had questionable attitudes, whether it be singing through a cold, being on tour for too long, or crappy road food (2 for 1 pizzas) every night. The repetition and stress of a tour can be relentless, so from a fan’s point of view I guess I could understand being utterly burnt out while playing the “last show on the last night” in a very snowy Vancouver.
I want to give a shout out to Avenged Sevenfold singer M. Shadows – you completely won me over last night – leading an assault on us at the Pacific Coliseum. Being a guitar player I usually gravitate towards, well, the guitar players but it was yours truly, the man with the beard and the pipes throwing all the heat.
Here is the thing that earned my respect. After the first song of the encore the rest of the band got off the stage in record time, leaving M. Shadows out there all alone. He was looking around and said, “What the fuck? You guys are so quick to get off the stage, I don’t want the tour to be over yet, get back out here.”
All out for the fans. That’s what its all about, isn’t it? So many performers don’t give a shit so its great to be part of a crowd that gets recognized like that. Seeing a band on their last show is the worst because they’re tired, burnt out and just want to go home – but seeing a band on their last show is the best because the songs are the tightest, which isn’t saying much considering Avenged Sevenfold is just so good anyway. Hard to tell when they have bad nights.
Obviously the late, great, and the one and only “The Rev” was a tragic loss back in 2009 and remains an irreplaceable member given the history and roots he had with AX7, but I thought Brooks Wackerman sounded phenomenal banging on the kit. The whole rhythm section was great, I love watching Johnny Christ walking around ripping that open E string, he just loves being on stage doing his thing. When I first saw Avenged Sevenfold back in August opening for Metallica, I was much too far away to see what was going on musically, but like any band, bass and drums carry everyone else’s weight, especially for a drum and bass-heavy band like AX7. Johnny and Brooks, fantastic musicians, making it look almost to easy.
They threw in a great cover of ‘Wish You were Here’, which I know is a song that hits home for some people. The lighters were shining bright. I was glad to be a part of it; part of the energy and atmosphere, part of the noise and the smoke rising, part of the chaos and the lights, and the booze and the fights; it was a good night.
This has become one of my favorite bands. I saw them first time with Metallica but was already a big fan. 1 hour was not enough the at BC Place not the greatest sound in there. Pacific Coliseum they rocked out, great tunes, great guitar work and excellent opening act BFMV. Heard some of their stuff but it sounds great live. Inspired me to build my own Schecter styled guitar. I wish I had had the opportunity to go to more of their shows. Avenged Sevenfold You are Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!