Wednesday 23/01/08 Avenged Sevenfold, Black Tide, Bloodsimple @ Rock City, Nottingham

Tonight’s headliners Avenged Sevenfold have built up a reputation as one of the front runners in modern metal music since forming in 1999, as Rock City’s sell out crowd will testify. Now on their fourth album, they’ve used their status to hand teenage quartet Black Tide an opening support slot on their UK tour.  

Launching straight into their single 'Shockwave', Black Tide instantly show that they aren’t messing around. Every member oozes stage presence, enthusiasm, and talent. Fifteen-year-old lead singer and guitarist Gabriel takes turns with bassist Zakk on vocal duties, and trades guitar solos with Alex – who bears a striking resemblance to former Pantera and Damage Plan guitarist, Dimebag Darrell, in more than just his groove-laced, heavy rhythm playing. At their age, the closest most people have got to this kind of stage is striking a pose in their bedroom, but these guys are the real deal.

They tear through a set which also includes 'Black Abyss', a crowd pleasing cover of Metallica’s 'Hit The Lights', the anthemic 'Warriors of Time' and the title track from their forthcoming album 'Light From Above', which sees drummer Steven simultaneously playing a keyboard with his left hand as he continues the pounding rhythms with the rest of his body. If you’re a metaller at heart, Black Tide are well worth checking out. Either way, expect to hear a lot more from them this year.

Following them are New York five piece Bloodsimple. Less pyrotechnic, more… bludgeoning, their set consists of huge riffs with pounding drum and bass that get the crowd going. Tim Williams’ guttural howling vocals are awe-inspiring and terrifying, like some twisted instrument from another realm.

They show a darker, heavier and more hardcore side than Black Tide. Although they’re let down slightly by a couple of technical hitches, and lose momentum somewhat in between songs whilst swapping instruments, they are undoubtedly experts at what they do, having the crowd in the palm of their hand, orchestrating mass middle-finger salutes and chants of “**** You!”