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Bands: Bullets and Octane, Death by Stereo, Saosin and Avenged Sevenfold

Venue: House of Blues - Chicago

Date: November 9, 2005

There was no blues being played at at the House of Blues in Chicago on November 9, 2005. In fact it was loud and obnoxious and surprisingly enough even the parents were getting into it.

Bullets and Octane opened the evening with a blistering set that was both energetic and intense. It's not often the crowd gets that into an opener, but Chicago welcomed the power rock of Bullets and Octane. I mean, how often do you see a pit break out during the first song of the first band? Bullets and Octane definitely did their job by igniting the crowd for the remainder of the evening.

Death by Stereo blasted the crowds ears with their blend of metallic hardcore that teeters someplace between System of a Down and Killswitch Engage. Their political-laced insanity was heavier than any of the bands on the bill, but the crowd still seemed to embrace it with fists pumping fiercely through the air.

Nobody seemed to complain about Saosin. These guitar slinging screamers held their own as they truly prepared the crowd for Avenged. Sure Saosin's music pops like firecrackers, but they are definitely a band for anyone who likes anything from Senses Fail to Taking Back Sunday.

The night belonged to Avenged Sevenfold. Once they took the stage to what sounded like the theme to Beetlejuice, the crowd erupted. The floor shook and felt like a mattress when you're jumping on your bed. I have never felt the floor have that much "give" at a show there.

The band finally broke through the fog and blasted into "Beast and the Harlot." If there's one thing, okay two things to admire about A7X, it's their professionalism on stage and their sheer talent. I don't care who thinks their poseurs, they are damn good musicians and their live show reflects that. They are extremely intense and never seem to miss a beat. The Rev makes himself seem nearly superhuman on the drums, M. Shadows roars like it's his first language, while Johnny Christ on bass, Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance, on guitar make playing their stringed instruments look as easy as picking your nose.

Avenged played a heart-pounding combination of tracks off Waking the Fallen and City of Evil. The crowd really couldn't have asked for more. I'll say this, for a bunch of guys younger than me (I'm 24) they look like they've been doing this forever and if they continue this trend, when I'm 40, I'll be taking my kids to see Avenged Sevenfold at arena shows.

Enough of my babbling, let's allow the pictures to do the talking:

Photos By: Adam K. Zakroczymski III

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