September 13 2024 by Ryan O’Malley
Though it may not be as prominent on radio stations as it was in the 80’s and 90’s, metal music, more specifically thrash metal, is still alive and kicking 40-some years after its introduction to the masses. One of those bands – also a part of “The Big Four” of thrash metal – Megadeth, are in the midst of a Summer tour titled “Destroy All Enemies” that recently touched down at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, N.Y. on September 13.
Also on the bill for the trek is All That Remains, another modern metal act, and Mudvayne, the classic makeup-wearing metal outfit from Peoria, Illinois. Unfortunately, due to numerous traffic issues reaching the venue, All That Remains set was just wrapping up upon arrival so no review of their performance could be given. Which leads us to Mudvayne. While their stage show is run off pure intensity, it’s a bit overshadowed by the bands appearance. Lead guitarist Greg Tribbett is adorned with a dreadlock mask that looks like a cross between Predator and a gas mask; bassist Ryan Martinie had wide bell-bottom jeans and makeup that made him look like a demented version of The Nun from “The Conjuring” movies; drummer Matthew McDonough had some white makeup on but was flanked by his kit making it almost impossible to see his face; touring guitarist Marcus Rafferty wore makeup that had numerous “X” symbols in it making it appear as though they were scratched into his face; and singer Chad Gray’s makeup looked to be a better fit for Insane Clown Posse rather than a thrash metal band.
Check out the full gallery of photos from this night by Ryan O’Malley here.
Aside from their appearance, Mudvayne served as a great way to hype the crowd due to their raw intensity, but musically, there were many hiccups. Gray does a fine job of working the crowd, but vocally, he just seemed to be off key on several numbers including “Silenced.” Most of their set from Bethel was their louder, screaming-based metal which seemed to be where the most vocal issues were. However, when Mudvayne would bring out more melodic material, like “Fall Into Sleep,” or “World So Cold,” Gray sounded in fine shape and his voice was a perfect complement to the music. Having been formed in Peoria in 1996, Gray’s voice has aged in the ensuing 28 years which may have been a contributing factor when diving into some of their back catalogue. Mudvayne capped off their performance with the song that first broke them into the national scene, 2000’s “Dig.”
Not Falling
Silenced
Internal Primates Forever
Fall Into Sleep
-1
Death Blooms
Dull Boy
Nothing to Gein
World So Cold
Happy?
Dig
Taking the stage just after 9pm, a curtain dropped and Megadeth – guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, guitarist Teemu Mantysaari, bassist James LoMenzo and drummer Dirk Verbeuren – ripped into a ferocious version of “The Sick, The Dying…and the Dead!” the title track from their 2022 album. The show fell on Mustaine’s 63rd birthday so the focus, like most shows, was on him and his Gibson V-shaped guitar. Along with having complex rhythms, Megadeth is also known for its two guitar sound and Mustaine and Mantysaari were brilliant together often trading solos with one another, like their epic playing on one of their more well-known songs, “Hangar 18.”
If someone were to call Mustaine a great singer, it would be met with some skepticism. However, Mustaine’s rough, snarling voice is a huge part of the Megadeth sound, and at Bethel it was in fine form including on the tour debut of “Soldier On!,” which was a tour debut. It’s not uncommon to hear sing alongs at a Megadeth show, but they do happen like in the case of “Sweating Bullets,” a driving number that starts off with Mustaine exclaiming “Hello, me. Meet the real me.” A slow, driving “Trust” proved to be a set highlight complete with some flawless soloing and great crowd participation. The band chose to end the set proper with arguably its most well-known song, the metal anthem “Symphony of Destruction.”
It’s common practice for a band to return to the stage for an encore, and Megadeth is no exception and returned with rollicking versions of “Mechanix,” and “Peace Sells” before exiting the stage for a second time. What is a surprise is the band doing two encores on this tour and they walked out for one final number, the thumping “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due” which brought their fiery set to a close. Having amassed numerous accolades, awards, and even a Grammy Award throughout the last four decades, Megadeth has solidified its place on the Mount Rushmore of thrash metal. The fact that they’re still making new music and touring in 2024 gives everyone hope that no matter how the charts or radio stations feel, thrash metal is still a part of the American musical landscape and will carry on for years to come.
The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!
Dread and the Fugitive Mind
Angry Again
Hangar 18
Soldier On!
(Tour Debut)
She-Wolf
Sweating Bullets
Liar
Washington Is Next!
Trust
Tornado of Souls
We’ll Be Back
Symphony of Destruction
Mechanix
Peace Sells
Encore:
Holy Wars… The Punishment Due
Check out the full gallery of photos from this night by Ryan O’Malley here.
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