Avenged Sevenfold execute a commanding comeback in Los Angeles

Posted by Ramon Gonzales in Culture on June 12, 2023

See images from the band’s sold out set in celebration of their eighth studio album, ‘Life Is But A Dream…’

In celebration of the band’s eighth full length studio triumph, Life Is But A Dream…, rock titans Avenged Sevenfold have been on a relentless tear in the weeks leading up to the release. Just last month, the band played their first show in five years with a surprise set at Area15 in Las Vegas, before heading out to Daytona Beach, FL for their first festival set in half a decade – with a headlining barnburner at Welcome to Rockville.

The band doubled up on the festival launch with the headlining set for the return of Sonic Temple in Columbus, OH over Memorial Day Weekend. Covering the band’s incendiary catalog and including new singles from the album like “Nobody”, “Game Over” and “We Love You” the excitement for the next chapter of the band’s continued dominance had reached its peak.

Just one week following the hugely-anticipated release, Avenged Sevenfold officially christened the album with a sold out engagement at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The band’s first sole, headlining play in five years was especially significant given the homecourt advantage, adding to the enthusiasm of the fans eager to experience the new set, new stage shwo and the return of one of rock’s most energized live collectives.

Combined with a compelling visual spectacle that created an immersive element to the band’s set, Avenged crafted a presentation of tracks that ensured fans got their fill of favorites including “Unholy Confessions,” “Bat Country” and “Hail to the King”. Showcasing the kind of fearlessness that has endeared the band to such a loyal base, Avenged countered their greatest hits with a healthy representation of their new era – seizing the opportunity to debut four new tracks liver – performing “Mattel” and an encore of “G,” “(O)rdinary” and “(D)eath” in succession for what proved to be a very dramatic finale.

While essentials like “Afterlife” and “Nightmare” will forever send an arena into hysterics, it’s evident from the pop received by new tracks like “We Love You” and “Game Over” that the fans are eager to join the band on their latest iteration. Showcasing real artistic audacity, Avenged Sevenfold are intent on pushing the boundaries of the genre and their most ardent followers showed up to in spades to expereince it first-hand.

See the gallery of images from the monumental evening captured by Maurice Nunez below.