By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The American hard rock/metal quintet Avenged Sevenfold will return to Rio on Saturday, March 15th as they make a stop at Barra da Tijuca’s HSBC Arena. With multiple releases, including six studio albums, a live album and eighteen singles, the band built a strong international following; Brazilian fans included.
Their most recent album, Hail to the King, topped Brazilian charts as well as going number one in the U.S., UK, and Canada. Sometimes known simply as A7X, they have sold over eight million albums internationally. The first two singles released from Hail to the King, the title track and “Shepherd of Fire”, both reached number one in the United States.
No strangers to Rio, Avenged Sevenfold were last in the city during the second metal day of the Rock in Rio festival on September 22, 2013. There they played between Slayer and headliners Iron Maiden. It was an appearance which came shortly after Hail to the King‘s August 27, 2013 release and gave Brazilian fans a first glimpse of the new works performed live.
Currently consisting of M. Shadows on vocals, Synyster Gates on lead guitar, Zacky Vengeance on rhythm guitar, Johnny Christ on bass and Arin Ilejay on drums, the quintet arrive in South America as they continue to tour internationally.
“We’re very excited to announce we’ll be returning to South America to perform in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile this March,” A7X posted on their website in late January, adding, “We know metal is alive and well is this part of the world and we’re honored to be able to perform in front of such crazy, passionate fans.”
In Brazil they will play five cities; São Paulo, Brasilia, Curitiba, Porto Alegre and Rio. Due to scheduling conflicts, the originally scheduled dates for Porto Alegre and Rio were changed from March 21st and March 14th to March 22nd and March 15th respectively. A second night was also added in São Paulo for March 20th, after the first night on March 12th sold out.
Avenged Sevenfold was formed in 1999 by M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Matt Wendt and drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan while the four were still attending high school in Huntington Beach, California. Their debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, was also recorded during that time.
The band then saw many lineups changes with Justin Sane replacing Wendt and Dameon Ash later replacing Sane in 2001. Synyster Gates also joined as lead guitarist towards the end of 1999 and bassist, Johnny Christ joined around 2003.
A7X began with a distinctly more metalcore sound which evolved into more hard rock and metal. It was their third album, City of Evil, that brought them mainstream attention and included one of their most well known hits, “Bat Country.”
Tragically in December of 2009, the band suffered a major loss when drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan died from an accidental overdose. After a period of grieving, former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy began playing with A7X.
The band released their fifth studio album, Nightmare, in 2010 and in 2011, announced Arin Ilejay, former drummer for the band Confide, would become the official new drummer.
With six albums for A7X to draw from and with them currently riding a wave of success from their most recent release, Saturday promises to be a rewarding show for metal and hard rock fans in the city. HSBC gates will open at 7PM and the show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 PM.
What: Avenged Sevenfold
When: Saturday, March 15th. Gates open at 7PM and show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 PM.
Where: HSBC Arena, Avenida Embaixador Abelardo Bueno, 3401 – Barra da Tijuca
Entrance: R$140- R$360, Available online. Attendees under sixteen should accompanied by parents or legal guardian. Tickets purchased for the show on the 14th are still valid for the rescheduled show on the 15th.