The metal gods graced the Bayou City for the second time in as many weeks with the coming of Megadeth’s Destroy All Enemies Tour. With their most recent studio release dropping nearly two years ago, the elder statesmen of thrash metal embarked on this tour seemingly just for fun, and (as you’ll see from the photos to follow) fun it was.
Helmed by founder/guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, Megadeth has been tearing a path across the metal scene for more than 40 years as part of the Big 4 of Thrash Metal alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. Known for complex riffs and political lyrics, Megadeth has become one of the top selling metal bands of all time.
Kicking off the show was metalcore band All That Remains, whose short but intense set brought the already swelling crowd to the barricade and inspired the first crowdsurfers of the night.
Shortly after 7:30, Mudvayne took the stage, opening up with the ever-popular “Dig.” Covered in their trademark stage makeup, Mudvayne never fails to put on a great show. Vocalist Chad Gray left everything out on the stage, while the rest of the band stalked the scene with almost venomous swagger. Closing out their set with another classic, “Happy?”, Mudvayne left the crowd restlessly anticipating the headlining act of the night.
Finally at five past 9:00, the eagerly awaited Megadeth took the stage. The venue erupted as the first notes for “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” rang out into the air. Hands were thrown in the air, cheers were thrown at the stage from deep within the crowd, and yet more crowdsurfers found their way over the rail.
The band continued with a setlist full of greatest hits, including “Peace Sells,” “Tornado of Souls” and “Hangar 18,” ultimately playing seventeen songs off of nine different albums. Mustaine, ever sporting his trademark mane of red hair, thrashed through riff after riff of face melting metal as the band played on.
Megadeth closed out the show with “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” off of their classic album Rust in Peace, capping off a night of screaming guitars, heart-pumping drums and earth-shaking bass riffs.
I'm a Houston-based concert and automotive photographer. I've been a music fan my whole life, and previously was the director for Coog Radio, the University of Houston's student radio station. I listen to a bit of everything, from blues to rock to EDM, but predominantly metal. Some favorites include Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. When I'm not behind the camera, you can catch me skating, going to car events, and buying too many coffee table books.
