Avenged Sevenfold – Spark Arena, 23 October 2026: Review & Photo Gallery

24th October 2026

It has been a long time coming for many Avenged Sevenfold fans, often affectionately known as AX7, first appearing at the beloved Powerstation in 2006, then again in Auckland in 2008, it has been a very long wait between shows. But the night had finally arrived, and it kicked off strong with Thornhill from across the ditch.

The metal gods smiled down upon Aotearoa last night as those who love their music heavy were treated to not just one but three international metal bands, and on a Friday night no less.

Thornhill

The arena had already built up a sizeable crowd by the time the Melbourne boys walked out, and they took every opportunity to blow them away; with vocalist Jacob Charlton leading the helm looking more like a member of Fontaines D.C. (whose lead singer Grian Chatten funnily enough was wearing a Slipknot tour shirt last time they played in Auckland).

Thornhill came here to play, and they blew the crowd away, laying down tracks such as Revolver, Under The Knife and Silver Swarm their stage presence was incredible. Their sound in many ways was similar to other Aussie cohorts such as Northlane and In Hearts Wake, the Australian metalcore sound some may say but what set it apart was the vocal range of Charlton.

From melodic singing to clean vocals to low growls, and more than a good dosage of dynamic screams, Charlton could do it all while maintaining a stage presence that was captivating, those that had never seen them before were sure to have walked out as diehard fans. As Charlton said “Whose ever heard of Thornhill before? Well now you won’t forget!”

Coheed and Cambria

A short intermission and the crowd began to swell significantly in numbers as Coheed and Cambria were next to appear, formed in 1995 they officially held tenure of the three bands for the night.

From New York, the progressive rock band are fronted by none other than guitar virtuoso Claudio Sanchez whose hair somehow has a personality all of its own. Arriving on stage to the classic We’re An American Band by Grand Funk Railroad which almost felt like a tongue in cheek introduction to the kiwi audience of who they were, they wasted no time as they flew straight into In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3

Dedicated followers know the story of the band, science fiction fans potentially drawn to their music by The Amory Wars the ongoing series of comic books and novels created by Sanchez himself. Witnessing them live playing beneath a banner of their name featuring a giant astronaut an out of this world experience for most, especially when Sanchez chooses to play his guitar with his tongue and teeth.

Changing guitars throughout Sanchez lead fellow band members Stever, Eppard and Cooper through Searching For Tomorrow and Key Entity Extraction II: Holly Wood The Cracked, their song titles alone as interesting as their storytelling that features throughout their discography. But one doesn’t have to be knowledgeable in their lore to enjoy the musicianship, which is without a doubt next level, the rhythm section of the band consistently on point providing an anchor from which Sanchez propels himself to deliver soaring vocals and some of the most intricate guitar work that one could bear witness to.

With it being the last show of this particular tour the boys were going out with a bang, Josh Eppard on drums playing with such enthusiasm that at one point he splintered a stick; A Favor House Atlantic and The Liars Club leading into a crowd favourite and a song known by many (even if you aren’t a dedicated follower) Welcome Home, which saw Sanchez bring out his Gibson EDS-1275 double neck guitar. Now that is how you finish a set.

Avenged Sevenfold

The arena was now brimming with a sea of black t-shirts as AX7 were due to take the stage, a QR code appearing on the screen encouraging fans to use it for the light show. Intriguing to say the least.

As the arena went dark and the fans roared, the sound of Nightcall by the sadly late departed Kavinsky (and famously featured in the movie Drive) filled the room, and with it people’s phone lights started to flash in time. Yes that QR code, a novel idea that is far more sustainable than handing out wristbands etc was the cause and a nice touch especially for many of the younger attendees.

But as the lights came up and everyone was faced with a stage that featured drummer Brooks Wackerman halfway up in the air, jaws hit the floor.

Wackerman (who has played for the greats such as Bad Religion and Suicidal Tendencies) sat silently wearing a The National band shirt, until the screens around him came to life and the rest of the band ran out below him and without missing a beat, AX7 went straight into Nightmare, and the crowd lost their collective mind.

Formed in 1999, and hailing proudly from Huntington Beach, California, AX7 were here to make up time, for being away for so very long and the show they presented New Zealand was one for the history books.

The stage constructed of multiple LED screens, featured visuals that only worked to outdo themselves, from skulls with red eyes that laser beams would dance across, to cascades of yellows and oranges, the lighting was next level and hats off to the crew that created it.

Game Over and Afterlife led into a song that is dear to the hearts of any gamer who has played Call of Duty Black Ops II; Shepard Of Fire delivered with ferocity, vocalist M. Shadows still sounding solid despite many of the vocal injuries he has sadly suffered over the last few years.

Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ have and will always hold their own on stage, but it is hard to peel ones eyes off Synyster Gates, especially when he steps forward for one of his solos. Everyone has heard the term fists of fury, well this man is fingers of fury, his guitar work something to behold live.

Shadows took a moment to address the crowd, speaking of the sadly departed drummer Jimmy Sullivan affectionately known to his admirers as The Rev. Passing in 2009 far too young at the age of twenty-eight, Shadows reminded everyone to think of those that have been lost and hold their memory close, the band playing So Far Away as a dedication.

The Stage and Nobody (featuring a hypnotic grinding guitar) then led into a finale that had something for everyone, Shadows teasing the crowd and enquiring if they were ready to go “back to back to back.” Those down front in the pit who had been chomping at the bit for most of the night and had already created several impressive circle pits for the earlier bands, limbered up and as Chapter Four dropped they popped off.

AX7 weren’t lying, no room to breathe as they went into Hail To The King, the screens turning to blood stained windows with bodies scampering up them, which was deliciously creepy. And then it was Bat Country, the audience at one point drowning out Shadows as they sang in unison (to be fair they were probably slightly louder during the previous song, such is the love they have for Avenged).

Unholy Confessions and A Little Piece Of Heaven took out the set, everyone including the band left sated, AX7 grinning from ear to ear. But they had one last parting gift which came in the form of Cosmic, a track released back in 2023 from their Life Is But A Dream album.

It was an interesting way to end the show, but in many ways well suited, Avenged Sevenfold aren’t going anywhere, but they do look upon life differently in their own way, much of their new music reflecting that and the fact that life is indeed too short.

Needless to say, AX7 gave Aotearoa what they asked for, a show that made up for the eighteen year wait; let us hope that Shadows keeps his word and is back sooner rather than later.