MEGADETH, ALL THAT REMAINS
TEMPLE LIVE
CLEVELAND, OHIO
SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications
They’re known as one of the “Big Four” of American thrash bands (sharing the title with Slayer, Anthrax, Metallica) for good reason; even after four decades as a leading metal music titan, Megadeth still maintains a reign for performing a remarkable live show, and the proof was evident last night in Cleveland as part of a one-off date for the band’s current Destroy All Enemies Tour.
The show stood out as it was held in a more intimate 2,500 capacity indoors venue as compared to the 5,500-20,500 outdoor amphitheater venues that the band has been filling up this summer with support from Mudvayne and All That Remains.
The four members—vocalist, guitarist Dave Mustaine, drummer Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork), bassist James LoMenzo, guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun)—powered through a 90-minute set of mostly classics from the ‘90s, including: “Sweating Bullets,” “Tornado Of Souls,” “Trust,” “Peace Sells,” closing tracks “Symphony Of Destruction” and “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” and some songs from the 2000s, which included: newer songs from their 16th album a couple years ago, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead” and “We’ll Be Back” along with “Washington Is Next!,” “Dread And The Fugitive Mind” and others.
Mustaine, 63, took very brief breaks to address the packed crowd (including a mention of the band overcoming obstacles and him beating throat cancer), but he and the band focused on the tunes. His vocals and trademark deep, haunting sprechgesang were sharp and the guitar solos between him and Mäntysaari were precisely amplified to digest and absorb the fullness and crispness of each sincere note.
An energetic audience fist pumped, clapped along above their heads and sung aloud throughout the solid, shredding set.
Opening the evening, hard rock metalers All That Remains from Massachusetts stormed the stage with a set that focused on their recent heavy, heavy hitter songs released throughout the summer, which included “No Tomorrow,” “Divine” and “Let You Go.”
Since 1998 the band has rocked out and they took the crowd back to their early days to perform “Six” and “This Calling” from The Fall Of Ideals era as well as songs from 2008’s Overcome to close the 30-minute set.
Lead guitarist Jason Richardson took center stage for flawless solos which were celebrated with applause. Lead vocalist Phil Labonte gave thanks to Megadeth and the band’s crew for a great two months on the road.
All in all, a night of astounding rock and roll as the lengthy 34-city tour soon comes to a close.
MEGADETH (click photos to enlarge)
ALL THAT REMAINS (click photos to enlarge)
To be able to get up there and rock out like that is amazing! Great write up and photos .
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