Megadeth/ Suicidal Tendencies/ Children of Bodom/ Havok

Havok are one of, if not, the leaders of the 80s thrash revival from the new young generation. Looks like throughout the tour they’ve had time for 5-8 songs, tonight was sadly abbreviated to four. ‘Claiming Certainty’ is a new one, the title track to “Time Is Up”, with ‘No Amnesty’ and ‘Covering Fire’ are scorchers from their what I consider a now classic album. The four piece are real tight live and I hope to see a headline show soon.

Children of Bodom have headlined in the US before, but I guess on a tour with Megadeth, and ties to the 80s, Suicidal gets the direct support this time around. Or, has there been a decline in popularity for Bodom in recent years which caused their downgrade? Whatever the case, the Fins still banged out six of eight melodic death metal thrashers to keep up being sandwiched between Havok and Suicidal. ‘Morrigan’ (off the latest album “I Worship Chaos”), and ‘Angels Don’t Kill’ slowed things down with moments of melody provided by guitarist Alexi and keyboardist Janne Wirman. The boys sounded good, and the crowd were into em…but I gotta say, when Suicidal follows, you really gotta bring it. And no fault of their own, Bodom are heavy and lively on stage in their own way, but Suicidal stole their thunder.

Suicidal Tendencies have not been the most active band since the 90s, on and off, until 2013 and the album “13”, but did put out a string of successful albums in the 80s - “Join the Army” (1987), “How Will I Laugh Tomorrow…” (1988), and Lights...Camera...Revolution! (1990). I saw them as support for Slayer in 2014, and then witnessed how many fans they still had and were excited about their return. Tonight, it was evident they will be headlining next time around. First off, Suicidal are one of the most energetic bands I have ever seen live. Not only is their crossover hybrid of hardcore/punk/thrash metal aggressive, but both guitarists, bass player, and especially singer Mike Muir (lone original member) never stopped moving around. Literally, the only time Muir stopped running around was when he spoke to the crowd with positive words between songs. Other than that, he’s full on, on the move, head banging, swinging arms, just rocking out.

O, and did I mention Dave Lombardo (ex Slayer) is on drums? Yeah, as soon as Dave played the beginning to ‘You Can't Bring Me Down’, and the rhythm kicked in, I knew these guys were gonna just wreck Terminal 5, and they did. Singles ‘Trip To The Brain’, ‘Institutionalized’, and ‘I Saw Your Mommy’ still resonate with fans so much the mosh pit looked like L'Amours. Closing with ‘Pledge Your Allegiance’ celebrates the name of the band calling for fans to chant “ST” and an obvious demand for their sooner than later return to the stage.

Megadeth - Out in support of new album “Dystopia”, Dave Mustaine, with long time bassist Dave Ellefson, are now joined by the talents of Angra guitarist Kiko Loureiro and Chris Adler (Lamb of God) on drums, with Tony Laureano on select dates when Chris’ schedule conflicts. For this tour, the stage keeps with the theme of the new album, reflecting the steel structures and drones. A giant screen behind the drum kit, with two more on both sides of the drum riser encased in cylindrical structures (which billowed smoke), played various images fitting for each song. I know Kiko’s work from his band Angra so it was a given going into the show he could, and would, handle all the leads and solos like a champ. Kiko is also is a great presence on stage, dresses and looks good, playing to the crowd with his facial expressions and posturing. And given the aggression in Lamb of God’s music, Adler is a no brainer for Megadeth. So not a step has been lost in the live translation.

In past years, Mustaine for the most part always mixed up the setlist with songs from all periods, and several albums. For this tour the focus is understandably on the new album( five), and then the usual classics ‘Peace Sells’, ‘Hanger 18’, ‘Holy Wars’, ‘Trust’, ‘Symphony of Destruction’. But here is also where the problem lies…nine albums were skipped. And five from “Rust In Peace” too? Enough of ‘Wake Up Dead’ and ‘In My Darkest Hour’, switch em out for ‘Devil’s Island’ and ‘Hook In Mouth’. Lose ‘She Wolf’ its not even that good, and I’m tired of ‘Dawn Patrol’ and ‘Poison Was the Cure’. Throw in three from other albums, so many good tunes to be hearing the same old all the time. But, outside of my setlist complaints, the new songs come across well live and gel with the back catalogue. I, and I think most fans, would like to see Dave be more adventurous with the setlist. The crowd is going to come regardless, so mix it up.

Megadeth setlist:
Hangar 18
The Threat Is Real
Wake Up Dead
In My Darkest Hour
Post American World
Dawn Patrol
Poison Was the Cure
She-Wolf
Dystopia
Sweating Bullets
Fatal Illusion
Trust
Tornado of Souls
Poisonous Shadows
Symphony of Destruction
Peace Sells
Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

Suicidal Tendencies setlist:
You Can't Bring Me Down
Freedumb
Trip at the Brain
Institutionalized
I Saw Your Mommy
Cyco Vision
Pledge Your Allegiance

Children of Bodom setlist:
Sixpounder
In Your Face
Morrigan
Needled 24/7
Hate Me!
I Worship Chaos
Angels Don't Kill
Downfall