Megadeth Bayou Music Center December 12, 2013
Thirty years into their storied career, Megadeth can still bring the noise.
Filling Bayou Music Center to about 60 percent capacity Thursday night, the turnout was a bit disappointing for the Los Angeles-based thrash metal gurus who, despite being middle-aged, performed like they were in their twenties. Perhaps their fans are the ones who haven't retained that youthful energy. Or maybe they just couldn't get out on a weeknight.
Their extended tenure in the music business aside, Megadeth is still mentioned in pop culture. About halfway through the show, a scene from "Silver Linings Playbook" was shown. In it, John Ortiz talks to Bradley Cooper about retiring to the garage and punching things while listening to Megadeth. (Ah, married life.) Fittingly, the band reemerged and performed "Sweating Bullets."
"Feeling claustrophobic like the walls are closing in," front man and founding member Dave Mustaine growled, his fingers running up and down the neck of his guitar. "Bloodstains on my hands, and I don't know where I've been."
Later, before "A Tout le Monde," another movie scene was played. In "Wayne's World 2," when asked, "Don't you just love music?" Dana Carvey responds with "Do you have any Megadeth?"
And, of course, who could forget that song about Mustaine's ex-friend's ex-wife, "who was a very, very bad woman." "She-Wolf" was dedicated to all the ladies in the crowd, though it's unclear whether that was meant as a compliment.
Mustaine still possesses the stage presence of a young man but is beginning to look and sound like an aged rock star. He has reportedly cleaned up and rediscovered his faith, but his partying days have clearly taken their toll. He's got the body of a man at least ten years his senior, and his voice, while still strong enough to placate Megadeth enthusiasts, isn't what it once once. Lucky for fans, his hands work just fine, and he can still shred with the best of them.
Hell, he just might be the best.
Review continues on the next page.
