Avenged Sevenfold Induces Nightmare in the Desert

Posted May 5, 2012 by Oshee in EntertainME

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Avenged Sevenfold a.k.a. A7X performed at the Flash Forum in the Yas Island yesterday. Heavy metal fans gathered in their numbers to witness the band from California USA. The stage was set, the crowed in position ready for all Hell to break loose but we were kept waiting… Originally scheduled to begin at 9:00 pm, we had to wait for up to 40 minutes till ‘the curtain was raised’. I overheard one of the fans complaining, how so many people came wearing something other than black, a huge ‘boo’ went out when no smoking was announced in the forum and then the lights went out.

A huge cheer engulfed the forum many raised their hands, many their phones all set, and then, the ‘Nightmare’ began…

Fans assemble for the concert at the Flash Forum

I must admit I am not a huge fan of the Metal genre, this was my first metal concert experience and yet there was nothing to stopping me from getting involved in the crowed. Metal concerts are definitely very physical, for both the performers and the crowed and I was right in the middle of it. A huge mosh pit was formed involved loads of pushing and shoving and a huge carousel which sounded the alarms for the Security. The screams from the fans often drowned the performance and yet you could easily see why this band won the Golden Gods Award (Metal Hammer Magazine) in 2011 for the best drummer, best guitarists, best vocalist and the album of the year.

M. Shadows with a strong performance leading from the front

Zacky Vengeance along side M. Shadows are the only two members, from when the band first formed

Strong vocals of M. Shadows ensured he is heard over the screaming fans mouthing each and every word he sang and then there were the brilliance on the guitar from Synyster and Vengeance adding the essence of Metal and the brutality on the drums from Arin Ilejay that completed the Rock/Metal experience. Not to forget impressive lighting by the Think Flash lighting crew helped create the scene. Starting off with their latest album they performed ‘Nightmare’ and then went on to ‘Welcome to the family’ and ‘so far away’. They also performed earlier hits including ‘Almost Easy’, ‘Bat Country’ and ‘After Life’ among others.

Synyster Gates joined the band late in 1999 and has been since

Synyster and Vengeance played some amazing solos

Amidst the crazy, electric atmosphere, there was an emotional moment during the performance of ‘so far away’. The song was dedicated to the band’s former drummer who died several years ago, James “The Rev” Sullivan. The song was sung along by the masses while lighter toned lights decorated the stage. Soon after, the pace picked up again and never dropped till the end of the performance. Fans left screaming out of the forum ears muffled some sweaty, bruised, yet smiling… the Nightmare was over for now…

Arin Ilejay was the drummer, joined the band in 2011, was impressive

Johnny Christ, the bassist joined the band in 2003, is now one of the permanent members

There was just one thing I hope was different about this even and that is the timing. Several fans missed out on the opportunity, mainly school and university students because of upcoming exams, coupled with the fact that Yas marina is at quiet a distance from many devout fans in Dubai and other northern emirates. Only the totally diehard fans were to be seen. None the less it was a great event. For the rest of you stay tuned for many more events coming up.

M. Shadows acknowledges the fans

Die-Hard Metal fans…

Song List:

1. Nightmare
2. Critical Acclaim
3. Welcome to the Family
4. Almost Easy
5. Buried Alive
6. So Far Away
7. Afterlife
8. Beast and the Harlot
9. A Little Piece of Heaven
10. Bat Country

Encore:

11. Fiction
12. Second Heartbeat
13. Unholy Confessions

more pictures, click to enlarge…