Megadeth @ The Paramount

By Seth M

Sure, NonPoint and Fear Factory were on the bill and had good crowd reception, but there was no question everyone at The Paramount on Tuesday, December 3^rd was there for the return of Megadeth.

Yes, Megadeth had been to The Paramount before ~ back in November 2012 on the Countdown to Extinction Tour. As great as that tour was, though, this show totally blew it away: opening with “Hanger 18,” “Wake Up Dead,” and then  right into “In My Darkest Hour,” there was no question this night was a dream for Long Island (NY) metalheads who had come out totally fired up, just like the band.

Megadeth has always been an incredibly technical band and although over the years they’ve had their share of guitar virtuosos, the dueling guitars of Dave Mustaine and Chris Broderick are incomparable, period. Of course add in the pounding backbone of Dave Ellefson and Shawn Drower and you’re going to get your ass kicked. This night was no different and as they continued to try to beat the crowd into submission, Long Island fought back and fought back hard.

The Paramount was nearly sold out, which means over 1500 singing, moshing and crowd surfing maniacs were there to witness this 13 song, high energy set list.

Hangar 18

Wake Up Dead

In My Darkest Hour

Tornado of Souls

Sweating Bullets

Set the World Afire

A Tout Le Monde

Kingmaker

Trust

She-Wolf

Symphony of Destruction

Peace Sells

Encore:

Holy Wars… The Punishment Due

It ‘s truly amazing that after 30 years Dave Mustaine’s Megadeth can come into a venue with the energy they do and still draw this kind of crowd and reaction. Granted, they aren’t playing arenas or stadiums, but they are playing kick-ass 75 minute sets in more intimate venues that cater to their diehard fans who never let them down (and vice versa) regardless of the city and town.  As the show ended, I heard a 40+ year old guy say something to his buddy, “No need to go to the gym this week.”  So there you have it people, forget the gym and go sweat some bullets with Megadeth.