Plus support from Fast Lane and Mendeed
@ the Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
Thursday 26th May 2005
First up and headed off into the fast lane were energetic Surrey rockers... Fast Lane. It's hard to imagine such a pop punk-esque band playing to such a metal crowd. I was half expecting the crowd to give them some shit. But Fast Lane pulled it off with grace and dignity. Even though the mix of the sound out front left something to be desired, their catchy melodies and powerful guitar riffs, along with frontman Benji Phillips' charm, kept the crowd engrossed in their live performance. A job well done.
Next to hit the stage were Mendeed. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, these boys were quite a contrast from the now comparatively timid Fast Lane. In your face, straight up metal, with riffs so hot they could melt your pants off. Mendeed certainly know how to rock and indeed roll. With the singer/screamer throwing himself around the stage, along with the dual axes raised high, the band didn't just play, they really performed. I can only describe their sound as what I imagine the soundtrack to hell would sound like. This band would not go amiss on Hellfest, NJ or on tour along with bands such as Killswitch Engage or Iron Maiden.
The crowd are, by this point, extremely warmed up. Chanting for Avenged Sevenfold, eagerly awaiting the Californian's performance. It's clear to see that every single person in the room is a dedicated fan. The huge dimly lit backdrop, sporting a skeleton wielding a sword and riding a horse-like beast, taken from the new album cover, really set the scene.
As A7X hit the stage all was dark. The drums kicked in and the lights flooded the stage to reveal the band. The unforgettable riff of 'Remenissions' from the bands second release 'Waking the Fallen' was the first to be heard. From the first note, the crowd was going crazy, bouncing off the walls and singing along enthusiastically. There really was little room to breathe during A7X's set, as they were kicking out anthem after anthem. Singer M. Shadows seemed to have somewhat taken on the Axel Rose look, wearing a bandanna, backward baseball cap and large sunglasses. After few songs from the new album 'City of Evil' the band returned to the previous album playing 'Eternal rest'. Beginning with a huge 30 second solo being played at a million bpm the song soon breaks down into a slower riff which is one thing that makes A7X really different. They add a little light to all that shade and keep the listener on their toes. This band are what Iron Maiden would sound like if they were on speed and they pull it off beautifully. Finishing off with the fast and the furious 'Unholy Confessions' I honestly thought the crowd was going to go through the floor. There was a circle pit wall to wall that no one could escape.
It's a shame that the sound was so incredibly bad (drums were WAY too loud and there was hardly any bass or vocals!) all night, because all of the bands really did do their job of rocking the house down.
