A night of metal majesty with Avenged Sevenfold in Des Moines

As the echoes of heavy metal reverberated through the halls of the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa on March 15th, fans knew they were in for a night of epic proportions. Headlined by the iconic Avenged Sevenfold, the concert promised a relentless onslaught of blistering riffs and thunderous drums, with support from the enigmatic Poppy and the dynamic Sullivan King.

What ensued was a symphony of metal madness that left the audience exhilarated and breathless.

Sullivan King took the stage by storm, unleashing a torrent of aggressive beats and bone-crushing basslines. Armed with a guitar and a laptop, Sullivan King seamlessly blended metalcore with dubstep, creating an audible assault that pushed the boundaries of traditional metal. Tracks like “Codename: Reckless” and “Blame” elicited frenzied mosh pits and headbanging aplenty, as the crowd surrendered to the sheer intensity of his sound. Sullivan King’s dynamic stage presence and infectious energy transformed the arena into a battleground of sonic warfare, leaving the audience exhilarated and craving for more.

Following Sullivan King’s set was Poppy, whose avant-garde blend of metal and pop captivated the audience from the moment she took the stage. Dressed in futuristic attire, Poppy delivered a performance that was equal parts mesmerizing and surreal. Tracks like “Concrete” and “Scary Mask” showcased her ability to seamlessly meld heavy guitars with catchy melodies, while her charismatic stage presence kept the crowd spellbound. With her unapologetically bold persona and genre-defying sound, Poppy set the stage ablaze, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed her electrifying performance.

As anticipation reached its peak, Avenged Sevenfold emerged from the shadows, greeted by deafening cheers and applause from their devoted fans.

From the moment they launched into their opening track, “Game Over”, it was evident that Avenged Sevenfold was on a mission to conquer hearts and minds. With their trademark blend of metalcore and hard rock, the band delivered a masterclass in showmanship and musical virtuosity. Guitarists Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance traded blistering solos with precision and flair, while bassist Johnny Christ and drummer Brooks Wackerman provided a thunderous rhythm section that shook the arena to its core.

Frontman M. Shadows commanded the stage with his attention-sustaining presence and powerhouse vocals, effortlessly transitioning from soaring melodies to guttural screams. Tracks like “Bat Country” and “Nightmare” incited a frenzy of mosh pits and crowd-surfing, as fans sang along to every word with unbridled passion. Avenged Sevenfold’s set was a rollercoaster of emotions, a journey through the highs and lows of the human experience, punctuated by moments of raw intensity and haunting beauty.

As the final notes of “Cosmic” reverberated through the arena, Avenged Sevenfold bid farewell to their adoring fans, leaving them gasping for more. The concert at Wells Fargo Arena was a testament to the enduring power of metal music, a celebration of camaraderie and community. For those lucky enough to bear witness, it was a night they would never forget, with Avenged Sevenfold’s timeless personifying the enduring legacy of metal music.

Photography by Jayme Bigger

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