What is the common thread that links Ozzy Osborne, Carson Daly and thousands of sweaty, overheated rock fans gathered together on an old blacktop in the middle of the summer? The answer is simple and can be found in one hardcore/metal/punk/mainstream/unable-to-stereotype band.
Musical group Avenged Sevenfold holds the coveted title of the only band to headline both Warped Tour and Ozzfest and hold the top spot on MTV’s usually Justin Timberlake and Fergie Ferg-filled “Total Request Live.”
“It’s a great compliment to our band and everything that we’ve tried to do for so long,” said guitarist Zacky Vengeance. “We like to break boundaries … it gives us confidence in our music.”
Always one to try and buck the trend, Avenged Sevenfold tries to focus its energy on perfecting its own personal sound and creating its own genre, rather than making a mark as a one-trick pony.
“The biggest problem right now in the music industry and the music scene is that bands are copying other bands’ sounds,” Vengeance said. “So many bands all look the same, all sound the same, and it’s really hard to break through … Our fans really stick with us, because they know we’re attempting something brave.”
Since debuting in July of 2001, Avenged Sevenfold (vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, drummer The Rev and guitarist Vengeance) has toured across the world, and will take its globetrotting talents on the road yet again.
The Orange County, Calif., band is currently spearheading the Taste of Chaos tour, also featuring Atreyu, Bullet for My Valentine and Idiot Pilot, which will infiltrate the Family Arena in St. Louis on Wednesday, March 5.
While Vengeance said that he really enjoyed touring, likening it to being “out on the road with your friends,” he did mention certain trials and tribulations of being on the road, including the unpredictable climate St. Louis natives expect.
“It’s nice to be able to see the seasons … [but] I’m not quite as prepared for the weather after what I’ve seen watching The Weather Channel,” he said. “I definitely under-packed as far as warm clothes go.”
Changing seasons and impromptu ice storms aside, Vengeance said he is excited about the tour, particularly working with metal band Atreyu.
“[Taste of Chaos has] more of those bands that have graduated from Warped Tour and are ready for a larger, arena tour,” Vengeance said. “I remember playing literally in front of 10 people with those guys [from Atreyu]. We’ve both broken through the metalcore label … I’m really proud of those guys.”
While every tour holds a special meaning for the band, Vengeance said that he was particularly fond of one tour that took the band to the other side of the world.
“On this last tour, we got to start the touring cycle on Southeast Asia,” said Vengeance. “Going into a place like Jakarta, Indonesia, a third world country, was incredible … It was just insane the way people were living, watching people live, and then playing for 5,000 Avenged Sevenfold fans … That was probably the most incredible experience.”
Currently promoting its latest self-titled album Avenged Sevenfold (Warner Bros., Oct. 30, 2007), the band is able to play everything that they have written live, including songs with heavy technical aspects, Vengeance said.
“The songs [on Avenged Sevenfold] are more focused than any Avenged Sevenfold songs have been,” Vengeance said. “Now we have great songs, not just great parts.
“We have quite a few tricks up our sleeves … This is our most extravagant production.”
Taste of Chaos tickets are still available for $32.75 at metrotix.com.
