SLAYER/ MEGADETH

Challenge Stadium, Perth, Western Australia

October 13th, 2009

There was much unrest amongst the black-clad masses in the leadup to tonight's gig, as no-one knew for sure if Slayer would be playing:  Tom Araya had been diagnosed with laryngitis after he had barely sung in Brisbane, and the band had pulled out of their Adelaide show 2 nights ago, so the question was on everyone’s lips.

South Aussie band Double Dragon opened the show and played songs from their debut album Devastator, putting in a confident performance but rarely raising above the adequate.

Dave Mustaine and the new Megadeth line-up of equally shrred-tastic guitarist Chris Broderick (ex-Jag Panzer and Nevermore), James Lomenzo on bass (ex-White Lion & Zakk Wylde’s Pride & Glory and Black Label Society, David Lee Roth’s band as well as Slash’s Snakepit) and drummer Shawn Drover (Eidolin, and also a guitarist and brother of former Megadeth guitarist Glen Drover) burst onto the Challenge Stadium stage with an introductory instrumental showcase of lead guitar thrashing, and showed no respite for 70 minutes of old and new school thrash metal.

Mustaine plays his guitar like a metal surgeon wielding a titanium tipped precision instrument, shredding through classics such as Wake Up Dead, Hangar 18, newie Headcrusher, In My Darkest Hour, and the eternal classic Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying before taking a break. 

Stepping back onto the stage Dave was surprisingly humble, thanking the crowd whole heartedly for coming, before tearing into one final classic in Holy Wars, and leaving the hungry crowd baying for more.

Slayer had a lot to live up to after such a great set from Megadeth, and when the curtain dropped they proved they had what it took – both bands have such a magnificent back catalogue and a dynamic and exciting lineup, but Slayer won the day by virtue of the sheer intensity of their set.

Starting the show with new single World Painted In Blood, and seguing into crowd favourite War Ensemble, the instant highlight was Dave Lombardo’s inventive drumming and machine-like speed drumming.  Any drummer can keep the beat and most can play a decent fill, but Lombardo attacks his kit like it’s an instrument equal to the guitars in the band – and he plays the fuck out of it.

The highlights were many tonight – from both bands – and special mention should be made of Chemical Warfare, Hell Awaits and South Of Heaven.  The gas barbecue-style flame-show was impressive, as was the myriad of spotlights flitting between Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King as they traded short intense solos throughout the night, and the stage was often – and appropriately – bathed in a blood red hue. 

Tom Araya prowls and growls like some thrash metal Gene Simmons, and thankfully his voice handles all the punishment it is subjected to, with barely a punch pulled through another 70 minutes of songs about murder, war, hate & religion (and sometimes all 4 at once!), climaxing with an epic Raining Blood and a short burst of riffing from Kill Again.

There’s no encore tonight, but there’s no-one leaving unhappy either, having just witnessed 2 of the finest 70 minute sets of classic thrash, by 2 masterful metal bands, that anyone could ever hope for.

Shane

Megadeth
Slayer

Posted 14 October, 2009

All text & photos by Shane Pinnegar