Review: Megadeth shows they can still thrash in Pittsburgh concert

Megadeth earned its spot in the “Big Four” of thrash metal in the mid 1980s, and they showed they still have what it takes more than 40 years later.

Founded in 1983 by Dave Mustaine, Megadeth put on a display of nearly unending guitar ferocity Wednesday when their Destroy All Enemies tour visited Stage AE in Pittsburgh.

The career-spanning set hit nine of the group’s 16 studio albums, as the thrash icons delivered an old-school metal show, with an emphasis on the music over flashy videos or pyro. A massive banner featuring Vic Rattlehead (the band’s mascot) in a Lincoln Monument pose served as the backdrop, with lights accentuating the show. (Although a spotlight issue led to some consternation from Mustaine later in the set.)

Megadeth hit the older classics like “Hangar 18” and “Holy Wars … The Punishment Due,” as well as mid-career gems like a heavier “Symphony of Destruction,” “Trust” and “Sweating Bullets.” They also added two tracks from their most recent album, “The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead!”

Guitarist Teemu Mantysaari, who joined the band in 2023, smoothly handled the guitar solos made famous by Chris Poland, Marty Friedman and more over the years. Dirk Verbeuren provided an enthusiastic and joyful presence on drums, shooting his hand up in the air before exaggerated snare hits. On bass, James Lomenzo capably held down the bottom end, spotlighted on “Countdown to Extinction” and “Peace Sells” (the iconic bass line featured by MTV News back in the day).

Mustaine was never going to win any awards for his singing, but his snarl and unique vocal delivery always made it instantly recognizable. A bout with throat cancer in 2019 didn’t help either, saying earlier this year his “voice had been ruined.” His vocals — and those of LoMenzo and Mantysaari on backup — seemed a little lower in the mix Wednesday. The crowd pitched in on the higher section on the chorus of “Sweating Bullets,” too.

More from @Megadeth in Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/txAxHoqmAq

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) September 19, 2024

Highlights of the show included “Hangar 18,” with Mustaine and Mantysaari trading solo after solo, as well as the pair performing simultaneous solos on “Kick the Chair” and “Countdown to Extinction.” Mustaine would frequently move to the back of the stage while Mantysaari was shredding, allowing the Finnish phenom to take the spotlight. “Tornado of Souls” features what’s considered to be one of Megadeth’s toughest solos, and Mantysaari nailed it.

Vic Rattlehead made an appearance on stage during “Peace Sells,” mugging with the band members as they ripped through the song.

It appears “Mechanix” was a casualty of the spotlight issues earlier in the show, so with the show wrapping up, Mustaine had a quick question: “Feel like a little ‘Rust in Peace’?”

With that, they launched into their final song of “Holy Wars … The Punishment Due.” Near the end, LoMenzo and Mantysaari stood atop the drum riser, allowing Mustaine to take the spotlight as he handled the blistering solo.

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Mudvayne, a progressive metal band that reunited in 2021 after an 11-year hiatus, delivered an hour of early 2000s heaviness (they haven’t released a new album since 2009).

Singer Chad Gray, whose distinctive voice seems inches away from a destroyed throat, prowled the stage, as did energetic bassist Ryan Martinie. The band, all in a variety of face paints, included guitar tech Marcus Rafferty, who was filling in for Greg Tribbett, who had to step away from the tour on Monday.

With face paint that looked like he took a bullet to the forehead and fake blood running down his arms, Gray led the band through its more well-known songs like “Not Falling,” “World So Cold” and “Happy?” before closing with fan favorite “Dig.”

More from @Mudvayne at @Stage_AE pic.twitter.com/14gPGcESaa

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) September 19, 2024

All That Remains, a veteran metalcore band out of Massachusetts, opened the show with a set cut short by technical difficulties, although they did manage to squeeze in their new track “Divine.”

.@ATRhq at @Stage_AE pic.twitter.com/I7VAHoDNXt

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) September 18, 2024