INDIANAPOLIS
Photos and Review by Laura Fox (LLFoxphotos)
Avenged Sevenfold brought past and future hits to Indianapolis Tuesday, March 19, 2024 on the third leg of their "Life is But a Dream" Tour, playing to a loyal and enthusiastic crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
After high-energy, head-banging sets by supporting artists Sullivan King and Poppy, Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) dramatucally dove into their set, starting with "Game Over," the first cut from their newest album, "Life is But a Dream." Lead vocalist M. Shadows appeared in a black ski mask, but if he was hoping for anonymity, his distinctive vocals gave him away immediately.
Avenged Sevenfold played a 15-song set that had a surprising number of tunes from the "Life is But a Dream" album. I mean, it is the name of the tour and everything, but most bands who have been around as long and have so much good material as A7X generally only play two or three new tunes on tour. A7X, however, isn't like most bands. The status quo means nothing to these guys, who refuse to be categorized into any one genre.
The band, which consists of frontman M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman, kept the audience on its feet for the entire set. The guitar and bass riffs were wicked and the percussion was masterful. Shadows' vocals were strong, and he frequently engaged with with the crowd to keep them fired up and express the band's gratitude for their support.
I was kind of surprised A7X chose to end the show with "Cosmic," which is definitely on the experimental side. In hindsight though, it was actually a brilliant choice. From its serene beginning, the song slowly builds to a crescendo, with the band's intensity feeding the crowd's energy. If Avenged Sevenfold's goal was to leave the crowd wanting more, they succeeded!
For upcoming Avenged Sevenfold tour dates, click here:
Watch "Cosmic," the latest video release from A7X's "Life is But a Dream" album: