When the popular Californian metal band Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) announced this past summer’s release of its eighth studio album, Life Is But A Dream…, the group’s fan base was instantly wide awake having waited nearly seven years since 2016’s The Stage for another record. To properly ring out the new material, A7X set out on a two-leg North American arena/amphitheater sweep running from July through October, with Orlando-based LMG Touring carrying an L-Acoustics K Series audio package that delivered plenty of firepower for the band’s high-energy performances.
Designed by system engineers Justin Lenards and Will Foley, using Soundvision 3D modeling software on the two respective treks, the typical loudspeaker deployment featured left and right arrays of 18 L-Acoustics K2 enclosures, each paired with an adjacent hang of eight K1-SB, which not only complemented the mains as flown sub reinforcement adding LF extension of the system, but as an additional benefit served to reduce the onstage LF energy as well. Out-fill arrays added 12 more K2 per side, while 18 ground-stacked KS28 subs firmly anchored the bottom end. A dozen Kara II served as front-fills, and the entire system was driven by LA12X amplified controllers via Milan AVB, with AES redundancy, paired with two P1 Milan AVB processors at the house mix position.
Avenged Sevenfold FOH Engineer Bob Strakele credits LMG Touring’s K Series systems as the “game-changing” element that elevated the audience experience throughout the 30-show tour. Reflecting on his journey from being a musician to a world-traveling sound engineer, he highlights the crucial role played by L-Acoustics in shaping the band’s live performances: “Sonically, L-Acoustics has always just spoken to me,” Strakele says. “When it comes to speaker systems, some have a unique vibe. They all get loud and do their thing, but some sound more clean, while others sound more lifeless. L-Acoustics speakers just sound so muscular,” he describes, emphasizing the unrivaled audio quality and power delivered by the brand.
LMG Touring’s Director of Audio Systems, Oscar Sturup, emphasizes, “As a Certified Provider for L-Acoustics, we were able to offer a top-tier audio system for Avenged Sevenfold’s tour. This resulted in providing the audience with an exceptional sonic experience, reinforcing our commitment to delivering unparalleled quality in our services.”
Acknowledging the paramount importance of equipment reliability while on the road, Strakele emphasizes the exceptional support and commitment provided by L-Acoustics. “The company itself is remarkable,” he shares. “I can call their applications engineers, and they are always there to help me. It’s fantastic when you can directly reach out to the manufacturer and they know you by name. It is just an awesome experience,” he adds.
Thanks to the ample inventory and solid support of LMG Touring, Strakele was thrilled to be able to take out his dream rig on A7X’s Life Is But A Dream tour. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the sound, and for that—among many other reasons—L-Acoustics is my favorite.”
For info on Avenged Sevenfold’s recent North American tour, visit www.avengedsevenfold.com. LMG Touring can be found online at www.lmg.net.
Special thanks to LMG Touring’s Sara Weaver for story content and images
