LAS VEGAS – Pyrotek Special Effects has set out to enhance the intensity and passion of Avenged Sevenfold’s shows headlining the Uproar Festival tour of North America. Fireballs, dragons and custom propane elements, among other explosive effects, are synced to provide the “key” to accenting the music to exhilarate the fans.
More details from Pyrotek Special Effects (http://www.pyrotekfx.com):
Pyrotek Special Effects and Avenged Sevenfold Bring Uproar Festival to Life
In collaboration with Pyrotek Special Effects, Avenged Sevenfold’s 2011 North American headlining tour on the Uproar Festival has set out to showcase the pure intensity and passion they bring to their fans around the world.
A signature winged skull bat serves as the backdrop, and right off the top of the show the high intensity “Nightmare” reminds fans of the absolute power that Avenged Sevenfold brings to the stage. Discussions between Lorenzo Cornacchia (President and Designer for Pyrotek Special Effects) Bob Ross (Operations Director, Pyrotek Las Vegas) and Production Manager Jordan Coppersmith included the band’s decisions on pyrotechnic effects, placement and ideas envisioned. Flame cues were a priority as they accented the band and added excitement to the overall show design.
Framed by 10 firescreen modules and eight blue flame projectors, the atmosphere of immense darkness and power emerges during “Buried Alive.” Eight Gatling Guns were added to the upper deck of the set to shoot flames horizontally behind each “claw” of the skull wings. Eight dragon heads were also used, four placed behind the skull bat, and four spread out in front of the set using transitions of asymmetrical chases to ignite the stage and exhilarate the audience.
Flame units were placed in the skull’s eyes, while low lying fog was incorporated into the set. Silver Mines – 20-foot and 35-foot – were used during “Unholy Confessions” and stadium flashes were used to create a loud sound blast effect to energize the crowd and emphasize various Avenged cues. Fireballs were also used and with the help of Elia Popov, custom made flame bars were integrated into the skull bat to shoot flames eight feet in height.
Pyrotechnicians Keith Maxwell, Clint Ranse and Rory Jones coordinate to bring the designs to reality in every show and work to accomplish the effects of specific cues.
To Cornacchia, detail is key. “Each of the pyrotechnic effects were designed to simulate the emotion that Avenged Sevenfold shows are known for. You will see a number of fireballs, dragons, and custom propane elements that are designed to be cued in sync with specific riffs or accents of the music.”
