Being the first leg of the American Carnage Tour this half features Testament as the opening act, while they will be replaced with Anthrax for the last half. Starting punctually at 7pm, Testament delivered a incredible 40 minute set to a somewhat empty crowd. Granted by the end of their set the seats were filling up, but attendance-wise the start was slow. And let me emphasize that this only is attendance-wise. No matter if Testament are playing to 10 people or ten thousand people, they always seem to give it their heart. They opened with "More Than Meets The Eye" (following it's musical intro song, "For The Glory Of") the single off of their latest album From Formation to Damnation. Sprinkling some new song in between older standards they easily proved throughout the set that the new material stands up to older classics like "The New Order" and "Trial By Fire".
Up next were my personal favorites, Megadeth. Even for those who aren't total bitches for Megadeth like myself, the band still caught every one's attention due to two major factors of tonight's set - the band performed classic album Rust In Peace in it's entirety and featured Dave Ellefson back on bass. There was essentially NO banter from Holy Wars... The Punishment Due to Rust In Peace... Polaris when my angel Dave Mustaine declared "So, that was Rust In Peace!". The continuity of set made the show surreal, but sound problems during the first few songs did set things off to shakier start. Nothing tragic like mics or speakers blowing, but the sound wasn't crisp and the vocals were hidden for the first few tracks. By the encore the sound guy had gotten his shit together and the band came back with a nice mix of new and old including "Trust", "Headcrusher", "A Tout Le Monde", "Symphony Of Destruction", and "Peace Sells" in that order.
Closing the night out Slayer hit the stage to a roaring crowd with "World Painted Blood" and "Hate Worldwide and then proceeded on with the entire Seasons In The Abyss album straight through. Technically, the sounded great. Dave always kills it behind the kit, Kerry King did his Kerry-king-headbanging-neckthrashing-thing, and Jeff guitar flopped happily over his growing Buddha belly. The only difference really was Tom Araya's stage presence, which was a lot stiff and more controller than usual due to his recent back surgery. No surprises here though. They followed formula with Megadeth and ended with a encore of classics and new old. Even though Megadeth are my easily my favorites on the bill, Slayer took the night for me.
In honor of Chris Brodericks birthday today, I would like to give a little Megadethnews. I love Megadeth, but even I have been overwhelmed by the amount of Dave Ellefson & Dave Mustaine interviews that have been floating around. Enough is enough- we all know you are back together again at this point. Anyway, this bit of news I did find interesting: the current Rust In Peace tour began on March 1st and already the set list has been leaked. It is as follows -01. Set The World Afire
02. Wake Up Dead
03. In My Darkest Hour
04. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
05. Hangar 18
06. Take No Prisoners
07. Five Magics
08. Poison Was The Cure
09. Lucretia
10. Tornado Of Souls
11. Dawn Patrol
12. Rust In Peace...Polaris
13. Head Crusher
14. Trust
15. Symphony Of Destruction
16. Peace Sells
It seems like it's old news already that Dave Ellifson is back with Megadeth for the upcoming rest in peice tour. I have no idea what this means for current bassist James LoMenzo, but something tells me he didnt have much say in the matter. Dave E. and Dave M. have had such a public history of lawsuits and trash talking, that my only thought here is $$$$. That doesnt bother my in the least, since I just want to see this tour happen. Anyway, MegaDave released a comment on his website giving a little bit of heads up what to expect exactly for the tour. I love being cynical, but seriously sounds awesome:
"Just so you know, we are playing 10 songs from over our 25-plus-year careers, as well as all nine songs off of 'Rust In Peace'.
"We are playing:
* Set The World Afire
* Wake Up Dead
* In My Darkest Hour
* Sweating Bullets
* Skin O' My Teeth
* Head Crusher
* A Tout Le Monde
* Symphony Of Destruction
* Trust
* Peace Sells, But Who's Buying?
5. Willie Nelson - Naked Willie- As if the album title alone was not enough to make the list, then check out the songs. Old Willie songs striped down, and sounding great. This was one of 3 full length studio albums Willie released in 2009, and my pick for the best.
4. The Devil Makes Three - Do Wrong Right- I wish I learned about this band earlier, and if you like bluesy, almost punkish (not fast enough for punk though) country that still rings of 'traditional country' check it out.
3. Scott H. Biram - Something Wrong/Lost Forever- Scott's a one man band. Literally. His voice is gritty as fuck, and his sound is totally unique.
2.Wayne Hancock - Viper Of Melody- Old school done right. Nothing fancy here. Just true great traditional American country music. You just dont get songwriters like this anymore.
1. Lucky Tubb & The Modern Day Troubadours - Damn The Luck- Who knew this would be such a great album? Lucky is the great nephew of country legend Earnest Tubb. It's a pretty big stretch to cling to that distant a relationship, but Lucky lives up to the name. The man wreaks of Texas. This is his debut album, and it still beats anything else I listened to all year.
Top 5 Random (no specific genre) Albums
5. Morrissey - The Years Of Refusal- It sounds like Morrissey, so its good in my book. I was surprised that Morrissey ass-kissers like NME, Spin, and Rolling Stone all did not have this album make their tops.
4. Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment- I've preached about Adam Lambert enough for anyone to see this coming. It's the perfect pop album. The best songs on the album are 'Music Again' and 'Soaked' written by Justin Hawkins(The Darkness) and Matt Bellamy (Muse) respectively.
3. Sunn O))) - Monoliths And Dimensions- Metal fans love it, but its really more ambient artsy fartsy (aka, experimental) shit. However, with Attila Csihar (Mayhem) bringing vocals to the bands ultra doomy sound and drone pounding, it sounds creepier and more palatable all at the same time. This is my favorite Sunn album to date.
2. Antony & The Johnsons - The Crying Light- Androgonous, theatrical, and poetic, it's sort of like Warhol's factory came to life and made this album. Only they aren't strung out on drugs, and are talented. It's extremely hard to define A&TJ's music- its avante-garde without pretension (modern classical?), but they manage to continually put out great records that tell a story. Funny thing with this band is that I always think it's a bit too 'out there' for my basic "I just like hard rock and metal" friends, but everyone seems to love them once they hear it.
1. Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor- Patrick Wolf is constantly changing, and constantly getting better. He started out as a strange virtuoso 16 year old writing folk songs using a harp, violin and piano. Since then Patrick has aged into an electro-synth genius with a 6 octave vocal range, and the ability to play 11 instruments...proficiently. Fuck, he is GOOD.
Top 5 Rock Albums
5. Ace Frehley - Anomaly- It only took Ace a couple decades to come up with this album, but the man did not change one bit. There are a couple of duds on the album ('A Little Below The Angels' is just plain bad), but also a few gems ('Outer Space' is Ace at Ace-best), but still it's just so classicly Ace and rock n roll sounding that you can't help but keep listening.
4. The Gallows - Grey Britain- I don't even like punk, let alone modern punk, yet I love these guys. It's snively and snotty, but also smart.
3. Richie Kotzen - Peace Sign- I've tooted Richie's horn before and I will toot it again. Songwriting? check. Guitars? check. Vocals? Massive check. It's bluesy soulful rock and roll done right. Honestly, I think I enjoy Richie even better than Muse, but I had to rank Muse higer since this is not Richie's best to date.
2. Muse - The Resistance- Muse are completely unpretentious. In a time when its hip to be lo-fi and scruffy, it's really satisfying to hear Muse come out and make such big, calculated, over the top music.
1. Bigelf - Cheat the Gallows- Part Sabbath, part Beatles, part Pink Floyd, but still mostly their own unique progressive rock sound. Bigelf look and sound straight out of the early 70s- and those influences are definitely there- but it still sounds modern. And they play the biggest, most old-school synth I have ever seen.
Top 10 METAL Albums
10. Converge - Axe To Fall- Possibly the best album of Converge's career. They totally outshine any other band that would even be labeled 'metalcore' (yes, I know that genre normally blows). It's a mix of metal with a bit of punk thrown in, but it's mostly experimental and awesome,
9. Lamb of God - Wrath- They aren't quite Pantera, but they do have the groove/thrash combo going on in full force with Wrath. I still prefer Sacrament, but Wrath is good enouh
8. Sacrifice - The Ones I Condemn- It is a huge credit to Sacrifice that I put them in my top 10 and not Slayer. Sacrifice reformed, decided to make and album, and ended up with their best yet. It's just a great thrash album. No fancy vocals, no cheesy guitar duels, just riffs and good songs.
7. Funeral Mist - Maranatha- The only black metal band to make my list. Funeral Mist put out their best album to date with Maranatha, and that's why I chose them. The production is traditional black metal style (aka, gritty as fuck) so some folks may find that a bit one dimensional, but for me the whole album work.
6. Mastodon - Crack The Skye- At first I wasn't so sure I loved this album since it's a pretty far departure from their past. I wanted a Leviathan part 2, and instead I got something totally different. It's certainly a concept album, and unfolds like some bizarre symphonic sci-fi saga- but its fucking great. The guest vocals by Scott Kelly (Neurosis) on the title track are delicious.
5. Municipal Waste - Massive Aggressor- FUN metal. Extremely fun. They have mastered the art of fun. Not only that, but they are also super tight. (Is it just me or are fun bands usually sloppy?)
4. Cobalt - Gin- This album is surprisingly good. I've heard it called 'war-metal' before, although I honestly have no friggin' clue what that means. I'd call it avante-garde (i've used that term way to many times in this post...) black metal. It's for the person who owns both Immortal and Neaurosis albums. With only two members, Cobalt created an incredibly rich and full sound with this album.
3. Devin Townsend Project - Addicted- Addicted it the second album of 4 that DTP put out. They act like a series, and one plays right into the next. My favorite is the second one, Addicted, but the opening cd, Ki, is a close second. For some reason Devin seems to get almost no recognition in the mainstream metal world. And it's a damn shame.
2. Heaven & Hell - The Devil You Know- It's heartbreaking to put my favorite band as a number deuce, but still this is a great place to be. After putting out music for nearly 40 years the riffs and the songwriting is still there. Dio's voice compliments the band perfectly. There is really nothing that hasn't been said. Sabbath has never put out a bad album, and they aren't going to start now.
1. MEGADETH - Endgame- Be proud, Mr. Mustaine, be very proud. Although Metallicas' Death Magnetic came out in 2008 had it been released in 2009 it still would not have made my list. Endgame kills that, and anything Megadeth has done since Countdown To Extinction. It marks such an incredible return for Megadeth. Not that they were ever gone- just they have not been THIS great in a while.
Dave Mustaine can do no wrong in my eyes, but that's not the same for most other people. He's pretty much alienated himself from a ton of musicians, business folk and fans alike. Here's a statement fro Dave himself that he posted on the Megadeth forums:
"I went to go get a coronary calcium CT scan, or, in other words, a heart scan, and I have good news! They found one!!
"All kidding aside, I had my heart scan done and my score was a mind-blowing zero. This means that I have 0% plaque in my heart and my mom died from congestive heart failure, and that stuff is hereditary, I hear, so I was worried.
"I am so stoked about the result and I owe it to my family, bandmates, and my advisors and handlers for inspiring me to get better, to be better, and to stay better. I can't tell you how much my team, even the label, have really supported me and helped me understand what we can and cannot do, instead of what 'I' can't do.
"Believe it or not, even the media and the press, both positive or negative, have been instrumental in helping me become a better person.
"There have been a lot of life's lessons I haven't been able to learn until recently, but I can tell you I have NEVER felt this good in my 48 years of life on this planet.
"Hell, some stuff can be changed and some can't. I just need to be smart enough to know which is which.
"My manager Mark [Adelman] has mentored me in a business that is constantly changing (he was very instrumental in helping make the 'Big Four' [tour, with Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax] happen — for that, my hat and prolly several thousand other's hats are off to you). Funny thing is that I have been praying hard that I would be friends with the guys in Slayer again, and Metallica, too.
"Is it just me or does it seem like some prayers have been answered?
"Now, I am just praying that all of the fans around the entire globe will get to see this tour. Personally, I wish we would hit every single country and every major city. That would rule!!!
Kerry King will always hate Dave. I actually think he has a better shot with the Metallica guys. It's nice to hear that his arteries are plaque-free.... Long live Dave!
Oh geez, you can bet my golden delicious ass that I will be at this show: good jesus!
Slayer and Megadethtogether on tour??? I dont know if I can handle this! Both had amazing recent albums, and both front men keep getting injured, the old fucks are incredible live!! Add in Testament to boot, and this is the thrash tour of the last ten years!! I must say, I am really happy of the choice of Testament as opener for this instead of the other obvious choice of Anthrax as another co-headliner. This lineup is ace, and recently I really think that the big four in thrash metal went from Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax to Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and TESTAMENT.
But who needs Metallica when ya got this?
My least favorite band of this bill is Slayer. I did not think it was possible for Slayer to be my least favorite of anything.
Such sad news I bring today... after releasing the amazing World Painted Bloodtwo days ago, Slayer were all set to promote and tour the album, but now it looks like things will have to wait. Tom Araya has got some performance related back problems going on. So far, their immediate tour dates in Canada were postponed, but the UK and Europe dates from Nov. 18th onward are still scheduled to go. Let's hope Tom is better in time for that since it's going to be an amazing tour co-headlined by Megadeth. Those lucky bastards across the pond. And Dave Mustaine actually had kind words to say about having to delay the tour, proving he is not always a whiney bitch! See I knew I loved him:
I want to inform you that it is indeed true, we are postponing our Canadian Carnage tour due to our tour mates in Slayer needing some time off for frontman Tom Araya to address some personal matters with his health. We send our best wishes to Tom and look forward to his speedy recovery. Meanwhile, we will be rescheduling these dates in the near future, although that date is currently unknown, and contingent upon Slayer's notifying us of Tom's progress. The most important thing is Tom's rehabilitation, and we will no doubt have good news for you all soon.
Awww, what angel he is! Anway, I wanted to follow this post up with the video clip of Slayer on Jimmy Kimmel (they were set to play on the day of their albums release), but of course that had to be canceled. So instead, here is the single from Megadave's Endgame:
In case you missed it, Megadeth were on Jimmy Fallon on Sept. 17th playing 'Headcrusher' live. DAVE IS SO GOOD. Please note his voice from 45-48 seconds in. I was dying!
3 Inches Of Blood - Here Waits Thy Doom (Century Media) The 69 Eyes - Back In Blood (The End) Ace Frehley - Anamoly (R.E.D. Distribution)
Anvil - This Is Thirteen Re-Release (VH-1 Classic) Armed For Apocalypse - Defeat (Ironclad) Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate (Metal Blade) Chthonic - Mirror Of Retribution (Spinefarm) Dying Fetus - Descend Into Depravity (Relapse) The Few Against Many - Sot (Pulverised) It Dies Today - Lividity (Trustkill) Kittie - In The Black (E1) Living Colour - Chair In the Doorway (Megaforce Records)
Lye By Mistake – Fea Jur (Blackmarket Activities) Manic Street Preachers - Journal for Plague Lovers (Columbia)
Megadeth - Endgame (Roadrunner) Ministry - The Last Dubber (13th Planet) Muse - Resistance (Helium 3/Warner)
The Network - Bishop Kent Manning (Blackmarket Activities) The Porcupine Tree - The Incident (Roadrunner)
Protest The Hero - Gallop Meets The Earth Live CD/DVD (Vagrant) Shadows Fall - Retribution (Everblack) Skinlab - The Scars Between Us (Stand And Deliver)
Thrice - Beggars (Vagrant)
THOUGHTS: After some shitty weeks of music releases, we have been redeemed by September the 15th. This week KICKS ASS. KICKS ASS I say! The winner is not surprising-Megadeth. Megadave did not disappoint with his previous album, but I gotta say, this one is better and MORE BADASS. It goes up to 11.
As for the others, Ace's Anomaly sounds just like the way an Ace fan would want it to sound. It only took 74 years to finally be released, but, fuck- it's good solid rock music.
As for the others- another massive winner goes to Muse. Not surprising at all, either. The sound is full, well produced and actually lives up to the over-used word of epic. All that sound from just 3 dorks from England. For all of those reasons, that' why Muse isn't metal but will always be talked about here.
A few other notables are Shadows Fall. This new one is out on their own private label, and now that they are with Universal anymore you can tell. It's heavier and darker- fans of earlier SF material will like it.
As for Anvil having a re-issue on the list- well that could just make an old school metal fan misty eyed. Good for you, Lips and Rob!
Living Colour is somewhat obscure, but I have heard their name brewing about lately since they've been playing some shows in the NYC area. New stuff is not bad, but just ok.
Kittie- who the fuck even knew they were still together...? Seriously- does anyone care?
Ministry- didn't Al Jourgenson claim to end this band 15 times by now. If he doesn't hold to his guns soon no one is going to bother paying for Revolting Cocks material.
So many concerts in NYC lately that I need to post pictures and reviews from, so expect a big update in the next few days.
For now embrace the fact that there is are two potentially epic concerts coming up. The highly rumored "Big Four" of thrash tour (for the retards out there, that's Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax [although I think Testament should take Anthraxs spot in that title]). This tour would be a metal head dream come true. It would be crazy to see Megadave open for Metallica. Seems unreal.
RIP to Gar Samuelson who died 10 years ago today. He was Megadeth's original drummer (1984-1987) and was on both 'Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!', and 'Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?'(nicely done there). He was a on a few tours that followed, but eventually got the boot from Mustaine for being a drunken drug addict(no irony there at all). I guess Dave was 'over it' by '87, but seems doubtful. Anyway, Gar's influence on the band was larger than just including "..." in album titles, and Megadave himself has credited Gar for helping to write some of those early songs and suggesting making some songs shorter.
Gar went on for a while after Megadeth and formed a band calledFatal Operawhich released two albums. His personal fatal opera was in 1999 and was a result of liver failure.
Hurry up and download the new Megadeth single 'Headcrusher'. Roadrunner has it free for only 24 hours, so don't waste time.
It's definitely very heavy. I really liked United Abominations, and hopefully this one will be just as heavy... and maybe have slightly less cheesy lyrics if that is possible for Megadeth.
