An over-14’s event at the Ambassador tonight – though some crowd members look even lighter in years than that, making this possibly the youngest audience at the venue since its days hosting cinema matinees. No alcohol being served either, much to the annoyance of most over-18’s at the show. (I can say this with confidence, as I’m pretty sure I make up at least 50 per cent of that demographic).
Gigs like this render the criticisms of anyone outside the target demographic obsolete – if you don’t belong, then your objections are as relevant as a vegetarian critiquing a steakhouse.
Do you spend your weekends hanging out with kohl-eyed youths outside the Temple Bar Music Centre? Do you drink snakebite and wear black in Fibbers, or play frantic air-guitar downstairs in Bruxelles? No? Then get your coat and leave. Avenged Sevenfold have not come to win new followers, they have come to preach to the converted.
There is something undeniably familiar about the ‘Fold – their muscular yet polished pop-punk/nu-metal hybrid is pitched somewhere between Linkin Park and Good Charlotte – potentially, a very profitable mid-point indeed. Strip away the guitars, the tattoos, the shades – all the trappings that come with being Californian rock stars - and Avenged Sevenfold would approximate something pretty close to a boyband.
While the likes of Blink 182 make rock music with a thick coating of pop, the 'Fold make pristine pop with a thin metal veneer. This needn’t be a criticism – as a rule of thumb, the more groups of this ilk resemble boybands, the better they get. Check the verses in Good Charlotte’s ‘Girls & Boys’ for proof. However, Avenged Sevenfold do not have enough killer tunes in their armoury to provide that visceral thrill.
Their energy levels are impressive, though the set is disappointingly short, and lead singer M. Shadows certainly does a fine line in cheesy cock-rock stage banter. Alas, something crucial is lacking – Avenged Sevenfold may have the trappings of a Rock Band, but they have yet to develop the style of a Pop Group.