Thrash
The images of the evening in the photoreport by Michele Aldeghi.
Almost a year after the last concert in Italy, Megadeth return to our area, this time with the stage of “Crush The World Tour”. The band of Dave Mustaine for the occasion she is accompanied by the people of Ferrara Game over. There is strong anticipation for the American group, so much so that the sold out has already been announced several weeks ago. Let’s see if we have found our justifications for our enthusiasm.
Game over
THE Game over they are one of the many Italian groups born in the midst of the thrash revival wave of about fifteen years ago and perhaps still one of the few who, in Italy, tenaciously carry forward a genre that has recently proven to be a bit tarnished (we remember a few bands really significant afterwards Vector And Power Trip). For the occasion, the four hairy thrashers present songs taken from the recent album “Hellframes” released via Scarlet Records and pieces taken from their now extensive discography. We are therefore not in the presence of a first-time band, however this will be a night to remember for them, thanks to an already large audience that they are probably not used to. The sounds immediately seem more than discreet, the band shows a lot of energy right from the start and no awe is perceived, on the contrary the management of the stage is that of seasoned veterans, when it comes to movements and poses. It should be underlined that for the new singer and bassist Leonardo Molinari it is one of the very first dates with the band. That of the Game over is a very classic thrash, which is certainly inspired by the big names of the genre (why not, even today’s headliners), with some vague references to the Slayer here and there (in the most drawn out “Masters Of Control”, for example), but they also have the opportunity to prove themselves heavy with more paced situations (“The Cult”). The pronunciation of English is perhaps a little homemade, but the commitment is very high and the general preparation is also convincing, especially in the exchange of solos between the two guitarists (“Seven Doors To Hell”). From our vantage point, we do not perceive mosh-pit, but i Game over they receive enthusiastic applause at the end of each piece.
The alternation of rhythm speed between one piece and another demonstrates that the setlist has been carefully studied for the occasion and that nothing has been left to chance. Indeed, in the final “Neon Maniacs” thrash-core influences from the good old days are revealed.
THE Game over they put in a good and convincing performance and the goal of seizing the important opportunity to gain some new fans was certainly achieved.
Game Over setlist:
Another Dose Of Thrash
The Cult
Masters Of Control
Call Of The Siren
Path Of Pain
Seven Doors To Hell
Neon Maniacs
Megadeth
Watching Alcatraz fill beyond belief, so much so that the effects of the air conditioning quickly vanished, there are three questions that arise regarding the imminent ascent on stage of Megadeth: it will be integrated properly Teemu Mäntysaariyet another guitarist in the court of Dave Mustaine? What are the vocal conditions of the blond Californian guitarist? Do the most recent pieces, appreciated on albums, stand up to the classics of the past?
We take a seat in the central area, just in front of the mixer (also because it is impossible to move beyond it) and this will perhaps prove to be a good choice, as it is usually the area where the audio situation is best: in fact the sounds immediately seem more discreet and well calibrated (nice for once not to have to complain about acoustics and sound engineers), so much so that we can immediately appreciate the sumptuousness of the rhythmic base, the drums of Dirk Verbeuren and the bass of James LoMenzo they immediately show their muscles and form the foundation for the band’s live performance, with the two guitars that can concentrate on their raids, confident in the energy provided by the aforementioned two. In particular, it is the drummer who impresses: the Belgian (among other things, with a CV as thick as an encyclopedia) in addition to not missing a beat, is a musician of depth and personality. In addition, in fact, to being technically gifted and impeccable in execution, he manages to give his own touch to the rhythm of the pieces and we are not afraid to say that he was from the times of the late Nick Menza that the role of the hide beater didn’t excite us so much Megadeth. In addition to the sounds, the lights are also particularly effective and beautifully highlight the musicians on stage, without tiring or annoying the eyes of the spectators. After the initial “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!“, title track of the latest studio work, used as a warm-up, the band pulls out a scary hat-trick: “Wake Up Dead”, “In My Darkest Hour” And “Hangar 18” which – a cliché – alone is worth the price of the ticket. The audience is easily won over and the band could live on their income until the end of the concert. But that’s not all, the positive notes offered by the lineup are paired with a Dave Mustaine in good shape, both physically and vocally: Megadave he is fresh, lucid, active, splendidly concentrated on the performance, not too talkative (everything is normal, it has never been!), but not at all tired by the years and recent ailments. To use an expression in vogue among young people, we think of a frontman who is “really well received”. Certainly the complex construction of the verses of “Hook In Mouth” is difficult to interpret even for those who wrote it, but it doesn’t matter, the surprise is stronger in listening to a historical piece that is not necessarily a classic. But there is more,”Rust In Peace” And “Countdown To Extinction” are abundantly plundered, to the detriment of the entire post-2000 phase essentially. And therefore space for pieces like “Sweating Bullets” followed closely by “Dawn Patrol” which also acts as an instrumental break (the voice in the background is recorded) to let you catch your breath Mustaine (it’s actually a bass/drums solo), where Lomenzo can show off. He too, certainly inferior in historical importance to David Ellefson, but equally solid in his role. And, always keeping the focus on the musicians, Teemu Mäntysaari he seems calmly at ease in his burning task, not at all intimidated by the situation and perfectly integrated: during “Trust”, for example, we first see him interacting choreographically with the bassist, only to then break away and throw himself headlong into the solo.
It was said before a Mustaine historically not too talkative. True, he also finds time to make a service announcement in relation to the lost wallet in the moshpit and for a touching moment of reflection, thinking about the last years of difficulty, the “setbacks”, between illnesses (let’s remember throat cancer diagnosed in 2019), lineup changes, pandemic and recurring thoughts to the fans, with only one thing in mind: the return to the scene and it is the excuse to introduce the bombastic “We’ll Be Back”, first single from the latest album. The new songs obviously don’t move the crowd like the more historic ones, but they don’t clash at all, demonstrating how Ours, after two solid albums like “Dystopia” and the aforementioned “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” are in excellent shape, in terms of ideas and compositions. Moreover, if we analyze the band’s discography of the last twenty years, the only real misstep can be identified in “Super Collider” of 2013.
We are approaching the grand finale: “Peace Sells” is today more relevant than ever and ends with the eternal “Holy Wars…The Punishment Two“, Where Mäntysaari And Lomenzo they approach side by side on stage a Mustainehelping to provide an image of great unity.
What else to add? Applause to the spectators for the order and correctness in a suffocating context and an absolutely positive response to the three initial questions. Long live mega…Death!
Megadeth setilist:
The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!
Wake Up Dead
In My Darkest Hour
Hangar 18
Dread and the Fugitive Mind
Hook in Mouth
Skin o’ My Teeth
Angry Again
This Was My Life
Sweating Bullets
Dawn Patrol
Poison Was the Cure
Countdown to Extinction
Tornado of Souls
Trust
We’ll Be Back
Symphony of Destruction
Peace Sells
Encore:
Holy Wars…The Punishment Two
Vittorio Cafiero
