Welcome To The Family! Avenged Sevenfold were back in Sydney again, after they cancelled their Soundwave stint, they are back for a separate “Welcome to the Family” Tour. It was much anticipated by many – not by Perth, however, their show was cancelled just weeks before arriving in Australia. (My Theory – too many fans out getting revenge and poor sales resulting in a “non worthy” stop over to our Western Aus friends. Tut tut A7X.
On the contrary, their show in Sydney was something amazing and intense and held an immense energy for Perth to hear, I’m pretty sure! 
While I was bitterly disappointed that Sevendust cancelled, they were instead replaced by an Australian band Dream on, Dreamer , and kudos to them for giving it their all.
Last time I saw A7X was at the Roundhouse, probably 2006, and it was probably the most intense gig ever, I remember being drowned and dripping in sweat (mine and others) and getting deafened by a speaker while trying to get as close to Synyster Gates as possible, but it was a fantastic gig none the less and when they performed again at a much bigger venue, I realised they are still fantastic.
They opened with Nightmare (of course) and from the minute they walked on and the Pyrotechnics started happening on stage, the energy did not drop one bit. Moving onto Welcome to the Family they were smooth and the crowd was entertaining – from where I was standing (mingling in front of the sound desk) . The death pit was crazy and there was enough floor space to make a huge one (upon request of M Shadows) during Unholy Confessions riff.
The most poignant moment for me happened during So Far Away, a tribute song to the late great drummer of Avenged Sevenfold, The Rev. I was nearly reduced to tears (yes I am not kidding you, if you were there I am sure the same would have happened to you!) and it was sad and upsetting but the band played with all their heart and so much raw emotion was poured into the song, everyone was certainly feeling the loss.
But it was also a celebration! And the show must go on, so while fans were still angry at them for ditching Soundwave earlier this year, they still put on one hell of a show. Critical Acclaim (from their self titled album) was brilliant and I happened to capture it all on video yay.
From about 2 months before the concert, all I could listen to was Avenged Sevenfold. I thought I would get over the binge, but a few weeks after the concert, A7X still blares from the speakers and headphones. Their music is catchy at times and most definitely dynamic in a way that has complementing lyrics and the harmonising guitars is something that is pleasant to the ear. Even though A7X are a metal influenced band, aurally pleasing may be a strange concept. Yet they all work together well and can create something so moshable (Welcome to the Family, God Hates Us) to something completely different and risky, like A Little Piece of Heaven.
This song has the most screwed up song content ever, but the composition just works with a strange A7X style. I was surprised they played this song, but without a full orchestra, to my disappointment! But definitely interesting to see this one live.
Save Me was their encore song and it was the perfect finish to a night that I never wanted to end. They are captivating and the loss of their drummer has fueled them as opposed to making them retreat away from the music scene. The show was all things positive and it was great being back in the mosh that’s for sure!
See you guys next time!
