Thrash Titans Unleash Fury at Rogers Place
If you have been wondering why apocalyptic Megadeth colors are suddenly dominating the fashion choices of Edmonton's longhair community, look no further than Saturday night's monumental farewell tour stop at Rogers Place. The event, which drew tens of thousands of black-clad fans braving the cold, featured a powerhouse triple bill of thrash metal legends: Los Angeles' Megadeth, New York's Anthrax, and the thunderous Exodus. Each band brought their distinct style to the stage, igniting passionate debates among fans who later swore their favorite act was the best of the night at local pubs.
Merchandise Mania and Fan Dedication
Merchandise sales were through the roof, with headbangers eagerly lining up to drop $70 per shirt, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to the genre. The nearly sold-out downtown arena was packed with enthusiasts who took the screened-T hunt extremely seriously, adding to the electric atmosphere of the evening.
Megadeth's Commanding Performance
Megadeth, led by the relatively young metal legend Dave Mustaine at 64, initially appeared stiffer on stage, reminiscent of Tool's Maynard James Keenan. The first few numbers, including Tipping Point, the sluggish Angry Again, and Skin o' My Teeth, suffered from a mudslide of bad sound. However, a significant shift occurred during Hanger 18, as Mustaine's voice emerged with newfound clarity.
Transforming from a shy, bullied girl's aura at a junior high dance into a growling rock monster, Mustaine arched his back, wailed to the rafters, and commanded the stage. He was ably supported by Finnish guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari and grinning bass trickster James LoMenzo, who whirled around him with energetic precision.
Defying Expectations with a Strong Finish
In a move that defied the commonly understood opening-punch structure of their albums, Megadeth started slow and finished stronger. Wake Up Dead marked the first great song of their set, leading into the emotional In My Darkest Hour. Mustaine sang clearly now, even pulling his impressive mane off his face as tall drummer Dirk Verbeuren's fan blew his hair like a dog with its head out the passenger window.
The band showed and grew even more during the newer I Don't Care. The entire giant bowl of Rogers Place screamed along to the spooky but epic Sweating Bullets, with fists pumping in unison. Mustaine's crazy fingering was displayed on the two big screens over the otherwise spartan stage setup, captivating the audience.
Guitar Fire and Pit Frenzy
No pyro was needed as Mäntysaari was on fire for Tornado of Souls, a song Mustaine jokingly introduced as being "about the weather." The chiseled lead guitarist whipped off frenetic scales into the faces of up-close fans, while deeper into the pit, a Jupiter cloud of spinning bangers whirled around—a breathtaking sight from the higher seats.
A Thrash Hurricane of Epic Proportions
The thrash hurricane of Mechanix was one where you could almost see smoke coming off the singer's fingers as he shredded, encapsulating the raw energy and intensity of the night. This concert review highlights an unbiased and independently selected experience, showcasing the pinnacle of thrash metal performances in Edmonton.
