Aeon Mathix
Has Ascended
So currently over in the sandbox (in the army) and we had the privilage of seeing a free A7X concert at our base in Iraq. I was stoked as they are one of my favorite bands of all time. Plus it only got better with Mike Portnoy being added for their tour (rip though rev). So anyway they came last monday and I went about 3 hours beforehand to get in line as their was a MASS load of soldiers/airman in attendance. When I showed up only about myself and 5 other guys were waiting in line.
The band had arrived there and were getting set up. Me and the soldiers I was with and some others that showed up got to meet and greet them before the show even began. Very respectful guys might I add. I got to talk with M. Shadows for a good 15 minutes about our tattoo work. They had to leave and get ready soon after that though. That's the most i got to spend time with them and I will get to that a little later.
Concert started at around 1930 (7:30pm). The band opened up with Nightmare, which I never really liked the song but after seeing it performed live it has grown on me tremendously. I can't honestly remember much of the setlist in order, but they played all of their hits as they were only allowed to play for an hour. One cool point was when Shadows said "Welcome to the city of evil" then they jumped into Beast and the harlot. "So Far Away" was quite emotional as Shadows talked about the rev and told us that when we all get to heaven he hopes we have the chance to meet them. Very touching moment indeed. They then played "Seize The Day" which was great, then immediately jumped into "Afterlife". They also did a cover of "Walk" by PAN freakin TERA! which i marked out like a madman for. Shadows even took a soldier out of the crowd and brought him on stage to sing it with them. After that they played "God Hates Us" off the new record which I almost fainted for, didnt think they would play that. They left then came back to do their encore with an acoustic version of "Dear God" then thanked us all for everything we do over there and then finished with "Bat Country" naturally as it seemed to be the only song anyone knew from them. Got the loudest pop anyway.
I remember Portnoy broke about 3 drumsticks during the set. Dude is a master and thats putting it mildly. M. Shadows is probably the best live singer I have ever heard and Synyster Gates' solos were on point. Long ass line to meet them afterward which was pretty stupid because when we got there all we could do was take a group photo and that was it, but I was fine because of getting to spend time with them before the concert. Just an amazing experience overall and It's awesome to know how much artists out there support what we do. To take time out of their busy touring to take about an 18 flight out here for us is just awesome. I won't grade this or anything like that, who could honestly rate any concert that they wanted to go see especially when its free, your out in the desert, and its one of your favorite bands? Didnt think so lol. Any of the fans on this site of A7X go and see them whenever you get the chance they will NOT dissapoint. One of the best experiences I've ever had.
The band had arrived there and were getting set up. Me and the soldiers I was with and some others that showed up got to meet and greet them before the show even began. Very respectful guys might I add. I got to talk with M. Shadows for a good 15 minutes about our tattoo work. They had to leave and get ready soon after that though. That's the most i got to spend time with them and I will get to that a little later.
Concert started at around 1930 (7:30pm). The band opened up with Nightmare, which I never really liked the song but after seeing it performed live it has grown on me tremendously. I can't honestly remember much of the setlist in order, but they played all of their hits as they were only allowed to play for an hour. One cool point was when Shadows said "Welcome to the city of evil" then they jumped into Beast and the harlot. "So Far Away" was quite emotional as Shadows talked about the rev and told us that when we all get to heaven he hopes we have the chance to meet them. Very touching moment indeed. They then played "Seize The Day" which was great, then immediately jumped into "Afterlife". They also did a cover of "Walk" by PAN freakin TERA! which i marked out like a madman for. Shadows even took a soldier out of the crowd and brought him on stage to sing it with them. After that they played "God Hates Us" off the new record which I almost fainted for, didnt think they would play that. They left then came back to do their encore with an acoustic version of "Dear God" then thanked us all for everything we do over there and then finished with "Bat Country" naturally as it seemed to be the only song anyone knew from them. Got the loudest pop anyway.
I remember Portnoy broke about 3 drumsticks during the set. Dude is a master and thats putting it mildly. M. Shadows is probably the best live singer I have ever heard and Synyster Gates' solos were on point. Long ass line to meet them afterward which was pretty stupid because when we got there all we could do was take a group photo and that was it, but I was fine because of getting to spend time with them before the concert. Just an amazing experience overall and It's awesome to know how much artists out there support what we do. To take time out of their busy touring to take about an 18 flight out here for us is just awesome. I won't grade this or anything like that, who could honestly rate any concert that they wanted to go see especially when its free, your out in the desert, and its one of your favorite bands? Didnt think so lol. Any of the fans on this site of A7X go and see them whenever you get the chance they will NOT dissapoint. One of the best experiences I've ever had.