REVIEW BY: Gorgor
Picture a horde of maniacal metal fans who had just come out of the cold to a sold out show to thrash their brains out. Then picture two legendary metal bands who know how to rock the shit of their fans even after twenty some years in the business. The venue was the Avalon club, right behind Fenway Park.
Up first Exodus: In short: They totally kicked ass.
The band came out to the sound of a tape recorded battle and the opening strains of "Scar Spangled Banner" opened the concert. The twin guitar attack of Holt and Hunolt was relentless for the next hour and change and the crowd was whipped into a frenzy. I feared for my life. They ended their set with "Toxic Waltz." During the closer, their roadie came out and took digital photos of the mosh pit. Hopefully they won't be used in a court case. The only downside was the absence of Zetro Steve Souza, whose voice is so distinctive. Steev Esquivel took vocal duties but his singing style is more of a hardcore type. At least he tried. They invoked the spirit of Paul Baloff throughout their set and set up Megadeth properly.
Setlist by CD:
BONDED BY BLOOD:
Bonded By Blood
And Then There Were None
A Lesson in Violence
Piranha
Strike of the Beast
PLEASURES OF THE FLESH:
Brain Dead
FABULOUS DISASTER:
Toxic Waltz
TEMPO OF THE DAMNED:
Scar Spangled Banner
War is my Shepherd
Blacklist
Tempo of the Damned
Intermission: Notable for some fat kid with Metallica tattoos squishing his way towards the front and some kid almost getting his ribs crushed and the wind knocked out of him. Alot of people wanted to be up front.
Megadeth came on at eight and started their set with "Set the World Afire." Chaos ensued as the pit reformed. Excellent. Dave Mustaine was awesome and his hired guns performed beyond expectations. Dave's message to the Droogies in attendance was: "As long as you stick together, nobody can tear you apart." He also made a point of telling us about his injury and that things seem to be working just fine. The solos and shredding were phenomenal. Everything sounded perfect. Dave owned the crowd and the evening. The new stuff sounded cool. A neat part of the show was when Exodus came out to do backing vocals for "Back in the Day."
Most of the set was old stuff, and the releases that alienated alot of core fans were barely touched upon. On the other hand, Killing is My Business. . . songs were conspicuously absent. I guess sacrifices have to be made if you want a "A Tout le Monde" singalong. The concert ended with an encore of "Holy Wars. . .The Punishment Due" Awesome.
Setlist by CD:
PEACE SELLS:
Peace Sells. . .But Who's Buying?
Wake Up Dead
SO FAR SO GOOD SO WHAT:
Set The World Afire
In My Darkest Hour
RUST IN PEACE:
Holy Wars. . .The Punishment Due
Hangar 18
Tornado of Souls
COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION:
Skin O' My Teeth
Symphony of Destruction
Sweating Bullets
YOUTHANASIA:
Reckoning Day
Train of Consequences
A Tout Le Monde
HIDDEN TREASURES:
Angry Again
CRYPTIC WRITINGS:
Trust
THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED:
Die Dead Enough
Kick the Chair
Killing Road
Back in the Day
Something I'm Not
You should totally see this show when it comes to your town -- I can't stress that enough.
