Avenged Sevenfold, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle

In the year that marks The End for Black Sabbath, Aerosmith’s swansong and the likelihood of a last hurrah for the depleted AC/DC, the race is on to crown the new kings of arena rock.

Avenged Sevenfold chose Newcastle to make their case to English fans and, as arguments go, theirs was both convincing and compelling.

Six years since they ripped up the city’s O2 Academy stage alongside Stone Sour, the metalcore agitators-turned-hard rock heroes revealed the many faces required to sustain a long and successful career at the top of the entertainment business.

Like Robbie Williams on steroids, M. Shadows reinforced his reputation as the ultimate showman and a romp through the band’s varied back catalogue confirmed he boasts the versatility as well as the verve.

Award-winning production manager Jordan Coppersmith ensured the music found a perfect match in the shape of a light show and stage set which would have been the envy of Iron Maiden, Linkin Park et al.

Shadows excelled on Hail To The King and perhaps he’s seen the future as A7X edge nearer to their dream coronation. As a stepping stone to superstardom The Stage tour is perfectly positioned.

Of course Shadows relies on an increasingly impressive supporting cast. And surely it’s time to reference the ace in the A7X pack in the same breath as Iommi, Murray and Downing as one of metal’s greatest guitar heroes.

Synyster might be the world’s second most famous Gates (behind Bill and ahead of Eric) but in the space of 15 years raw potential has been transformed into razor-sharp musicianship.

Hail To The King, Nightmare and Bat Country afforded Shadows’ wing man ample opportunity to reinforce his reputation and widen his fan base.

Widen, because ‘support’ act Disturbed brought thousands of fans to this New Year party.

It was clear from the outset that this wasn’t all about the headliners. David Draiman looked out across a sea of his own band’s tees – and a crowd bouncing from start to finish – and responded with a vocal masterclass.

Need convincing there’s more to the Illinois quartet than a Simon & Garfunkel cover? Check out this tour and a set that’s built to heap pressure on Shadows and co. Immortalized, Stupify and Down With The Sickness represent the metamorphosis of nu-metal from a jarring fad to a genre of genuine impact and significance.

Sweden’s In Flames might have baulked at the idea of a 6.15pm start, reasonably fearing even the hardiest of souls wouldn’t last five hours inside a freezing arena, but their melodic death metal was warmly received and a positive reaction richly deserved.

If, as Anders Friden insisted, The Truth was supposed to be a homage to the NWOBHM greats, then it came across more as riff-fuelled tribute to 80s synth pop. But In Flames are nothing if not ambitious and 2016’s brilliant Battles has provided the foundation for a long overdue tilt at mainstream success.

Simon Rushworth