Review: Megadeth

Knowing that a performance of a 20-year-old album would serve as the centerpiece of Megadeth's concert Wednesday at the Midland, some fans of the thrash band may have decided not to splurge on 40-dollar tickets.  They could have blown the dust off one of the over 2 million copies of "Countdown To Extinction" that have been sold since 1992 and enjoyed an inexpensive and relatively tranquil evening at home.  

While entirely reasonable, selecting that option would have been a mistake.  Even though Megadeth's 85-minute appearance was disappointingly brief and free of surprises, the band's sleek performance offered a wholly satisfying experience that couldn't be replicated by a recording.  

For starters, Megadeth concerts are loud.  Very loud.  Few home stereos provide the visceral impact of the thunderous sound system employed by the quartet.  The volume was rendered effective by an extraordinarily clean mix.  Every penetrating shriek, jagged guitar riff, bone-rattling bass solo and powerful drum kick could be felt as well as heard by each member of the audience of about 900. 

Along with Anthrax, Metallica and Slayer, Megadeth is one of thrash metal's so-called Big Four bands.  Dave Mustaine, Megadeth's creative force, founded the group in 1983 after he was unceremoniously ousted from Metallica.  He's developed a reputation as a fractious band mate and as a polarizing political commentator.  While he was gracious to both fans and his fellow musicians, Mustaine engaged in a bit of contentious banter on Wednesday. 

"How do you feel that we're having our country taken away from us?" he said.  "I hate what's happening." 

The audience's mixed reaction to the comments represented one of the few contestable aspects of Megadeth's appearance.  The band's synchronized playing on breakneck material was impeccable.  Aside from the opportunity to watch Mustaine and second guitarist Chris Broderick trade dazzlingly fleet-fingered solos, Megadeth lacks visual appeal.  Three video screens provided a welcome diversion.  Each selection featured complementary images.  An ostensible alien vivisection was displayed during the conspiracy-laden "Hangar 18" while the metallic gallop of "High Speed Dirt" was accompanied by footage of skydivers. 

The energetic live version of "Countdown To Extinction" was stellar.  Even lesser songs like "Captive Honour" still contain plenty of brutal charm.  Only Mustaine's voice seemed diminished.  Once an insolent snarl, his singing now resembles an angry croak.  

Weak vocals also hampered opening act Kyng.  Depending on one's tolerance for for throwback metal in the vein of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, the music of Kyng is either tired or timeless.  While King's 35-minute set was entirely serviceable, Megadeth's performance was absolutely essential.  

Setlist: Trust; Hangar 18; Public Enemy No. 1; Skin O' My Teeth; Symphony of Destruction; Architecture of Aggression; Foreclosure of a Dream; Sweating Bullets; This Was My Life; Countdown to Extinction; High Speed Dirt; Psychotron; Captive Honour; Ashes in Your Mouth; Peace Sells; Holy Wars; The Punishment Due.

| Bill  Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[Bewlay]

@Bill Brownlee, is Kyng reminiscent of Ronnie James Dio era Rainbow or Joe Lynn Turner era Rainbow?

[james]

Very good show. The most hard rocking concert I've been to in a long time.

Bewlay, I'd say more reminiscent of Soundgarden.

[pellboy]

If the Dio version, then I most certainly vote 'timeless'.

[Bubba Brown]

I thought KYNG was, actually pretty decent - as I also saw them six months ago open for DANZIG. As for MEGADETH, I had a pretty good time. My favored part of DAVE MUSTAINE and crew's set was the timeless last two songs performed - "Peace Sells" followed by "Holy Wars". Sometime, they need to go on tour and maybe perform 'Peace Sells ... But Who's Buying?' in it's entirety? Bubba said it.

[Bill Brownlee]

Kyng sounds a lot like this, Bewlay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw2hjjnYaVw

[Gabby]

Notice- no whining about people talking during this show.

[james]

Just watch a video of Kyng on youtube and you'll hear what Kyng sounds like.

[Bubba Brown]

Gabby, yeah - I was a bit surprised at just how well-behaved the crowd of approx. 900 was at MEGADETH. My guess is that maybe trash fans do grow up and mellow out after hitting - age 40.

[LiveMusicFan]

"Gabby, yeah..."
Posted by: Bubba Brown

He was trolling, not making an observation.

[Paul]

Some people on this board have no clue what a troll, or trolling, really is... but it is cute to watch them swipe at air.

[gsp]

http://i.imgur.com/HcMrb.gif