Megadeth’s megasonic, face-melting Manila gig: Not Loud Enough!
My ears are still ringing from the thrashing that went on Sunday night, July 29 at the World Trade Center.
As Typhoon Gener wreaked its fury outside, thousands of hardcore metal fans showed up for the Manila concert of thrash metal kings Megadeth.
“I have to apologize to the Philippines why I didn't come here sooner," 51-year-old vocalist David Mustaine growled into the mic.
“Yeah!!!” we all screamed back.
The band then launched into two hours of of heavy, chugging, low-register riffs to fast and double-drum beats and bass lines that literally shook the ground.
Thrash metal like ‘an orgasm’
For those who are not familiar with thrash metal, it is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that dates back to the 70s and 80s when British heavy metal invaded America. It is characterized by train-like guitar riffs, fast and finger-numbing solos (i.e. guitar players call it "shredding") and steady, head-banging rhythm from a bass guitar and drums. Thrash metal has spawned other bands like Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, with Megadeth making The Big Four.
The day before, when the band faced the Manila press and someone asked them how they’d describe thrash metal to a non-metal music fan, Mustaine replied, "Like an orgasm!"
Which may be why, in spite of the rains pouring hard and steady all afternoon, there was a queue at the venue, Hall D of the World Trade Center. Most were guys, a few were women and—surprise—so was actor Dennis Trillo, who once confessed to being a heavy metal fan. A few metalheads even had their photo taken with him, as the music channel Myx interviewed the actor.
The crowd was varied. My brothers, who were in their 20s, were there. Others were closer to Mustaine’s age. And a lot more, like myself, belonged to the age range in between.
Megadeth took the stage past 8 p.m. with Mustaine appearing in white, an ironic choice for the thousands of his black-clad hordes. And yet, on stage, he glowed and growled.
‘I am impressed, Manila!’
During the press conference the previous day, the band agreed that their 1986 album, "Peace Sells, But Who's Buying" was their favorite. It’s withstood the test of time and represents Megadeth as political activist, with lyrics blasting institutionalized violence against the poor and downtrodden, corporate greed, multinationals and those who rely on guns, drugs and money for power.
"I am impressed by Manila," Mustaine told his concert crowd and mentioned that he once had a Filipino girlfriend.
Indeed, the moshpit was a sight—metal fans banging and smashing into one another, with some toppling over. One crashed near our side of the floor and after we picked him up, he quickly re-joined the throng of trashers. They collided. They went in circles. They jumped. The screamed. They raised their fists and flashed devil horns.
Dave's own horde—Chris Broderick (lead and rhythm guitar), David Ellefson (bass) and Shawn Drover (drums)—were more than impressive. They delivered the goods. In between songs, Ellefson cheered the crowd with his supersonic bass. The volumes were up, but I think it wasn't loud enough!
The new and classic
New songs were played from the album “Th1rt3en,” which is Mustaine's ode to the age when he first picked up the guitar, which—you guessed it—was when he was 13. But it is also the band's 13th album, which Mustaine describes on the band's website as the "culmination of my work over the 13 records I recorded."
But the band also played the classic "Symphony of Destruction," which got fans jumping again and "Hangar 18," which is big reminder of Mustaine's twin-guitar compositions, which to this day is a testament to his legendary guitar playing.
Having sold 30 million albums worldwide, the band continues to impress metal fans here and abroad. Founded back in 1983 in Los Angeles, California, this band has gone through changes with Mustaine still holding the "axe" of destruction.
Mega-storm of thrashing
When Mustaine faced the Manila press the day before, he said that after being kicked out Metallica, he and his former bandmates have made peace.
Also asked how long he would keep on rocking, Mustaine replied, “When I can still stand on the Bruce Springsteen side of the street, I’ll keep on playing. When I start looking like Keith (Richards), it’s time to go home.”
Checking out people's reactions on Twitter and other social networks, it seems that amid the stormy Sunday evening, Megadeth brought with it a mega-storm of thrashing and music. And we metalheads enjoyed it. Just check out David Ellefson's own video of the Manila tour.
The Megadeth concert in Manila was organized by Pulp Live World and co-presented by Colt45. (With additional reports from Tony Maghirang).
Here’s the Manila set list:
Never Dead
Head Crusher
Hangar 18
Trust
In My Darkest Hour
She Wolf
Dawn Patrol
Poison Was the Cure
Sweating Bullets
A Tout Le Monde
Angry Again
Guns, Drug & Money
Whose Life is it Anyways?
Public Enemy No. 1
Symphony of Destruction
Peace Sells
Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
