Two years is a long time to wait for anything. A long time for me anyway (I can be impatient with a lot of things ha-ha). When December 17th hit I couldn’t wake up fast enough, I couldn’t get ready fast enough and we couldn’t arrive at The Sound Academy fast enough. Why you may ask was your very own Natty extremely excited about? Well my friends, it was going to be just over two years since I’d seen my favourite band live. That’s right, Avenged Sevenfold. I was like a new puppy, bouncing and bounding all over the place when they get a new toy that day. My friend Lia and I waited out in the freezing December weather for over six hours (which really isn’t a long time compared to other times that I’ve waited), we had sleeping bags and made some new friends and just over all tried to stay warm and dry and keep ourselves entertained. Of course as with most shows we were surrounded by the teens and their loud voices and competitions of whom met whom and who has better stories. I even witnessed a rush of a few girls with the bands Drum tech JB came outside with a couple guys. The poor guy seems to get swarmed whenever he goes, I guess in some part it’s his own fault for encouraging it in the beginning, but none the less, it can be frustrating I’m sure when you have 10 screaming girls running after you and all because you are a best friend of the band and these girls think you can get them on the inside.

Back to the point here, the doors opened at 7, both Lia and myself almost got crushed in the onslaught of eager people trying to get inside, none the less we made it to the barricade and secured our spots right in front of where we knew Zacky V was going to be. We held on and waited for the opening band to begin. I was excited for the opening band; I had been listening to them for some time since I knew of their inception, Burn Halo. Some people might know of them due to the fact that it is fronted by none other than the former front man of Eighteen Visions, Mister James Hart. This band is going back to the roots of rock music and pushing it forward making the sound come back to life. The stage presence was amazing with the opening song ‘Dead End Roads and Lost Highways’ right through to a song that was penned with Synyster Gates from Avenged, to a ballad of sorts and ending with my personal favourite Save Me. I was moving and enjoying every second of their set. The entire band commanded my attention and kept me thoroughly entertained the entire time. James has for certain not lost his front man status and I can see big things in store for this band. They have an album dropping on March 10 and if you are a fan of Rock, I do believe that you all should go out and pick up the album.

Next up was a band that I’ve heard about but never had any listening experience with, Shadows Fall. Of course with every opening band that I see I keep an open mind. I mean last time I saw Avenged I became a fan of Protest the Hero and The Confession, so why not Shadows Fall right? However, I couldn’t get into them. The lighting for their set up left it hard for the security in the front to see the crowd surfers. I will give them another chance next time they open for someone I like; however, I can honestly say my first impression wasn’t one that I want to keep. If you are a fan, please don’t take offense, because none was meant. This band wasn’t just something that was my cup of tea.

Then came the moment. Two years in the making and I was ready to go. Did I mention that the Toronto stop was the last show on the tour for this band? They pulled the red curtain across the stage and went to setting everything up. I waited with anticipation. Even the elbows digging into my back and the smelly guy beside me couldn’t shake my excitement (meanwhile the smelly guy beside me happened to be in a band and I pimped the site to him and hopefully will get to talk to them in the future). I bounced on my toes, talked with Lia about our excitement and then it came. The curtain was pulled back and the music started. Matt sat at the piano/organ/keyboard for the opening song Critical Acclaim. From that point forward the whole place went nuts and the giant party started. They went through a medley of songs from Waking The Fallen fame, to City of Evil fame to their most recent self titled album. In between there was amazing stage banter filled with Matt talking to the crowd with bits from both Synyster Gates and Zacky filled in between. One of my highlights was when Matt introduced Scream as a ‘love song for the ladies’. I have to admit Scream is one of my favourite songs off the newest album and it makes me rock out like nobody’s business, heck I even rock out to it when I’m alone, what can I say? I’m a rocker girl at heart. There was a part during the show where Brian (and when I say Brian, I hope you know that I’m talking about Synyster Gates) made his way over to Zacky’s side and decided to kick over his mic stand. Dan (whom I’m sure most Avenged fans know) had to come out and set it up right, then when that was done he ran back and Zacky proceeded to kick it over again just to make Dan run out. It happened a few more times and it had me in stitches. As per each Avenged show we get a guitar solo from Mister Brian Haner, and this time was no exception. The only thing different was the fact that he did it in three pieces and it was just as amazing or better each time. The show ended with the signature song on the new album ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’. I was extremely excited to see this song live as it was my favourite the minute I heard it the first time. I was in no way shape or form disappointed, I would have liked to been able to hear Zacky’s speaking part in the wedding part of the song a little more, but alas it was still amazing. At the ending of the song Zacky grabbed a bottle of what I can only assume was champagne and popped the cork taking a drink before he went around to everyone giving them one, first off Johnny Christ got one then he moved across the stage to Brian (whom I might add was being a ham all night to the crowd), and gave him one, however, it just ended up in Brian’s eye which was a laugh all in itself. The show was amazing!

I guess I should get back to the point of my review, the music. I have to admit each time I’ve seen them they have gotten better than the previous. Matt’s voice keeps getting stronger and fuller of punch and the band keeps a strong vibe happening behind the lyrics. I cannot wait for the next time I get to see them again (which is in February just so you know buahhaha).

Follow these links below and find out if you like any of the bands mentioned above:

Burn Halo:
MySpace

Shadows Fall:
Website
MySpace

Avenged Sevenfold:
Website
MySpace
Chapter Four Fan Site