The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Tour held annually in Amphitheaters’ across the country has been around since 2008 and pretty much replaced the longstanding and now non-existing concept of Ozzfest. Some of this year’s musical acts are alumni of the inaugural tour (Disturbed, Suicide Silence, Machine Head) which begs to wonder if the organizers are running out of steam. But nevertheless, it is THE place to be in the summer and I am fairly positive that most places are either sold out or near capacity. Fiddler’s Green (now named Comfort Dental Amphitheater) in Englewood, CO, a suburb of Denver was no exception since the place was packed.
This year was very special for yours truly since one of my all time favorite band was playing on the main stage; MEGADETH!
The fan in me has to note that it was a slap in the face to Dave and the boys to be so low on the main stage billing, but as a reviewer I do understand the business aspect of this decision.Disturbed and Godsmack are way more popular with the “mainstream fans” these days in part because their music is constantly heard over the radio waves.
Wish Megadeth would have had more time to play but hey, there is always next time. It also didn’t help that they had huge sound problems even before the first note was played; something with either the monitors or the microphones.
So, after a prolly 10 minute delay they started the night off with “Trust” which was the only song played that night from Cryptic Writings (1997). This was an impressive opening song where Dave Mustaine was sporting his double neck guitar.
I have seen them tons of times over the years; with all kinds of different line-ups and they never disappoint. I also had the pleasure of attending last year’s American Carnage Tour where Megadeth played their 1990 album Rust in Peace in its entirety and I have to say that “Hangar 18” came over better this time around.
Mustaine and Chris Broderick alike did an amazing job on their respective axes. Since “Hangar 18” and the follower “Wake Up Dead” (1986-Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying) are very guitar oriented it was clear that Broderick has absolutely no issues whipping out the old staple Megadeth classics. His amazing shredding abilities were once again absolutely obvious in “Head Crusher” from the 2009 album Endgame, his first album with Megadeth.
At this point in their set the entire audience at the Amphitheater was on their feet; head banging, fists pumped up in the air and mosh pits here and there. It was extremely packed right in front of the stage but this didn’t deter some patrons of moshing as well. So far, so good…(so what!) pun intended!
Dave and the gang gave the audience a chance to catch their breath with the ever so great sounding ballad “A Tout Le Monde” from the 1994 album Youthanasia which was also the most melodic album Megadeth has recorded to date. And let me tell you right here and there; Dave’s vocals sounded beyond great that night!
I hear a lot of crap about how his singing went down the tube, but NOT so at the Denver gig. Use your favorite search engine to see some live footage and you know what I mean. Fricking great performance all the way around!
Call me a liar but I don’t think they played “Public Enemy No. 1” from their forthcoming album TH1RT3EN. I was in the zone and honestly don’t remember! But I do remember vividly “Symphony of Destruction” off their 1992 release Countdown to Extinction.
And at this point a huge hell yeah to Shawn Drover, who displayed song after song why he is the best fit for Megadeth right after Nick Menza.
Not to take anything away from the prior drummers of the band, but I believe it was a very smart move by Dave when he enlisted the Drover brothers a couple of years back. (Glen Drover got replaced by Chris Broderick the end of 2007) Shawn proved to be the man behind the kit and it is always nice to see him perform with such enthusiasm.
Small break in the music while Dave Mustaine gave away a guitar to the lucky winner of the contest and then the Mr. David Ellefson (Junior) stood in the middle of the stage strumming his 5-string. The galloping bass sound gave it away; yes ladies and gentlemen, it was time for the heavy audience participation song “Peace Sells” of the same named 1986 album.
The first time I saw Junior back with Megadeth was last year and I am so glad he stayed. The man is the god on his bass guitar; all over the place on stage, rocking out to each and every song while picking that bass axe like there is no tomorrow.About half way into the song, right after Dave ask “Can you put a price on peace?” the one and only Vic Rattlehead appeared on stage! Walking from one side to the other, Vic made sure that everybody had a good look at him before he disappeared backstage.
The last song for the night was “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due” once again from their 1990 classic Rust in Peace. Everybody in the audience again went apeshit and besides “Peace Sells” I couldn’t think of a better song to end the evening. Well maybe not the evening since two bands still had to play.
But for me and shit loads of others the Megadeth performance was the highlight of the main stage, hands down. (Well, another highlight for me was when I saw my buddy Willie G. ever so briefly that day and was yanking his chain about some Mustaine pick’s and he actually gave me some. LOL . Those who know him will definitely get this!)
I can’t wait for their new album to be released later this year and hopefully Megadeth will do a proper North American Tour for it. I know they are busy touring with the other Thrash Titans on select days, and my hopes of the BIG4 ever coming to the Mile High City are fading. So it would be kick ass to see Megadeth headlining their own tour, but until then I leave you with those famous words:
“A dose of metal you need. To bang your head 'till you bleed. It's time for snapping some neck. Slashing, thrashing to Megadeth.”
Thrash ‘till Death to all you Rattleheads!
Slide show more MEGADETH pictures:
And you might also want to check out the other main stage acts and some for pictures of the second stage bands click here for the Revolver Stage and right here for the Jaegermeister Stage!