Darryl Smyers of the Dallas Observer declared Avenged Sevenfold “one of the best bands in America, metal or otherwise.” in his Hail To The King Tour review.
Often erroneously lumped into softer, newer corners of the heavy music world, California’s Avenged Sevenfold are much more influenced by the old school metal of Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy than some realize. And that was on display Saturday night at the American Airlines Center as the band (plus a couple of outstanding warm-up acts) delighted an arena full of fist pumping, black-clad metal heads.
Finally, at a little past 9 p.m., Avenged Sevenfold hit the stage. With a massive, medieval-castle-on- fire backdrop, the band started off with a roar, performing “Shepherd of Fire” followed by “Critical Acclaim.”
Guitarists Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance displayed the same kind of in unison fire power of Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing and Glen Tipton. Indeed, on “Nightmare,” one of Avenged Sevenfold’s best songs, the interlocking guitar play was very reminiscent of early Judas Priest.
Throughout the evening, singer M. Shadows engaged the crowd as his bandmates set an unmerciful pace. During a rousing take on “This Means War,” it looked as if Shadows’ head as well as the top of the AAC was going to explode. When the singer told the crowd that he loved Texas so much, he and the band thought of the state as their second home, it sounded like a sincere expression as opposed to the typical, “Thank you (place city name here).”
Avenged Sevenfold is simply one of the best bands in America, metal or otherwise. The band’s music is layered and intense, free of pretense and full of genuine emotion. When Shadows dedicated “Fiction” to the late James Owen Sullivan (aka The Rev), the vibe in the building was celebratory instead of depressing.
Interestingly, when Shadows acknowledged the two supporting acts, many boos were audible at the mention of Ghost BC. Seems it’s OK to throw down the f-bomb, but not any references to the devil, at least not in the bible belt.
In the end, however, area metal heads got everything they could have wanted from a trio of bands that show the range and power of first class heavy metal.
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Deathbat News 
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Comment by Yudit Dita October 21, 2013 @ 11:56 pmI’m proud of Avenged Sevenfold
Boos for Ghost? shame.
Comment by Nick October 22, 2013 @ 5:14 amI saw the show in Orlando and the crowd was awful during Ghost’s set. They booed, yelled get off the stage, etc. I bet Ghost will never come back to FL except maybe Miami. I asked the guy behind me why he would boo a band that A7X obviously likes enough to invite on tour and he said, “I’m a christian, I pray.” I told him he might want to get out of the hard rock/metal scene then.
Comment by Anonymous October 22, 2013 @ 11:49 amI didn’t get a chance to go to a show on this tour, BUT Ghost made a stop during an off-date in my city. It was a great show. Then again, with Ghost headlining, everyone there was there to see them. I didn’t see a reason to boo even if you don’t like the satan theme.
Comment by Nick October 23, 2013 @ 5:46 amI didn’t hear any booing for Ghost and I was at that show. I did hear a girl yell something about bring out Avenged Sevenfold though, that was very rude. If they were booing though then damn people are assholes. I’m a Christian too, but I’m not going to hate on them for being Satanist. It’s their choice. No band deserves to get booed over something that stupid.
Comment by Dianna October 25, 2013 @ 11:27 amThey aren’t even satanist. It’s all an act.
Comment by O-H October 25, 2013 @ 12:47 pmIt doesn’t matter if A7X likes them. If the guy wants to boo them, he can.
I think Ghost has a good image and i’m sure they put on a decent show, but their music is pretty bad.
Comment by Anonymous October 26, 2013 @ 12:47 pmi agree, ghost’s music it often outmatched by the theatrics, which is a pity
Comment by Anonymous October 27, 2013 @ 2:18 pmHaha I’m not a big fan of Ghost either.. Not at all
Comment by kpp October 22, 2013 @ 10:30 amI was at the show. It was extremely intense with the fire. I didn’t have anyone to go with because my friend backed out last minute. So I gave one of the bartenders at Shooters(next to the AAC) my extra pit ticket. I hope he crowd surfed and got as drunk as I did.
Comment by austins October 22, 2013 @ 10:41 amThat show was absolutely epic. The crowd was insane me and my buddies will def be going to Dallas every time they’re there. It was unexplainable just awesome. We waited outside from the time the show was over which was about 10 to 4 to meet them. We ended up meeting a guitarist from ghost and the bassist from deftones. No avenged though. Apparently they parked underground had like 4 rv’s and a couple trucks. I’ll never forget that night.
Comment by Holden October 22, 2013 @ 2:19 pm