After a significant hiatus from touring, AVENGED SEVENFOLD returned to the stage with the North American leg of their “Life Is But a Dream” tour, arriving at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. This part of the tour featured guest performances by KIM DRACULA and FALLING IN REVERSE, enhancing the already dynamic and anticipated return of AVENGED SEVENFOLD to live performances.
The Australian indie artist KIM DRACULA opened the show with a striking visual presence. The band, donning purple masks and stylish attire, set a unique tone, with Samuel Wellings, known as KIM DRACULA, standing out with purple hair and a military dress coat. The performance was unexpectedly intense and chaotic, featuring the dramatic smashing of mic stands and a chainsaw’s surprising appearance, adding to the already electrifying atmosphere of the show.
KIM DRACULA
After KIM DRACULA‘s performance, FALLING IN REVERSE took the stage, led by the enigmatic Ronnie Radke. It had been a long time since their last appearance, and the band came in hot off the heels of a nearly sold-out headlining tour, marking a significant moment in their return to live music.
FALLING IN REVERSE opened their set with the recent hit “ZOMBIFIED,” much to the delight of the audience. This song set a high-energy tone for the show, showcasing the band’s heavy sound and the excitement that was to follow in their performance.
Known for their dynamic performances, played some of their most popular tracks like “The Drug In Me Is You,” “Voices In My Head,” and “Popular Monster.” A standout aspect of their performance was Ronnie Radke‘s remarkable stage presence, captivating the audience with his charisma and energy.
Following their performance of “The Drug In Me Is You,” FALLING IN REVERSE, led by Ronnie Radke, shifted gears with heavy guitar riffs. Radke instructed the crowd to divide and engage in the performance, creating a charged atmosphere. This led into their cover of SMASH MOUTH‘s “All-Star,” which transformed the energy of the mosh pit, uniting the audience in a nostalgic and collective experience of the classic hit.
Midway through their set, Ronnie Radke took a moment to express his gratitude. He acknowledged M. Shadows for supporting FALLING IN REVERSE and allowing them to continue touring despite the controversies they faced. Additionally, Radke expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, highlighting the significance of this collaboration.
The anticipation for seeing FALLING IN REVERSE perform again next year is high, especially since they are set to share the stage with DISTURBED. This upcoming collaboration is eagerly awaited by fans.
FALLING IN REVERSE
The headlining act, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, was the highlight of the evening, eagerly anticipated by the audience. As a fan since the ‘Sounding the Seventh Trumpet‘ days, I’ve had the chance to meet the band members a few times. They’ve consistently been incredibly gracious and friendly in each interaction.
As the stage darkened, large screens lit up for an intro, setting the scene for AVENGED SEVENFOLD‘s entrance. M. Shadows, masked, emerged to take a seat at center stage, signaling the start with a track from their new album, “Game Over.” The band then continued with “Mattel” and the much-loved “Afterlife.” The highlight for many, including witnessing the dueling guitars of Zacky and Syn up close, was an emotional experience, especially for those who had been waiting years for another live performance.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD‘s performance of ‘So Far Away‘ holds a special place in the hearts of both the band and their fans. Written in memory of their late drummer, James ‘The Rev’ Sullivan, the song is a poignant tribute. Before playing it, M. Shadows addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of cherishing life.
“I’m pretty dang sure we have one chance at this thing and time goes by as we sit there fucking bored and we don’t do shit and one day we turn 80 years old and we look back and wonder what the fuck happened and why didn’t we do X, Y, and Z,” Shadows explained.
As “So Far Away” began, the audience illuminated the venue with their phone lights, creating a mesmerizing scene reminiscent of a starlit sky, shining brightly in the night.
Towards the concert’s end, “A Little Piece of Heaven” received an overwhelming response from the crowd. This unique song delves into a taboo subject, depicting it as a love story transcending death, captivating listeners with its unconventional narrative. The music video for the song is also recommended for a complete experience of its intriguing theme.
Seeing AVENGED SEVENFOLD live again after so long was a fulfilling experience for me. I’m eagerly looking forward to what next year might bring, hopefully including another amazing tour from them.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
