Holy shit... the punishment due. Is this really the last time we are seeing Megadeth? Through countless lineup changes, one breakup and enough personnel shuffles to populate several bands, Dave Mustaine's creation has remained one of heavy metal's permanent fixtures. Headlining tours, package bills, opening slots, festivals... Megadeth was always there. Deth and taxes, as they say. But now Mustaine is preparing to retire the band, and this Hellfest appearance may well be the final French chapter in one of thrash metal's defining stories. If that prospect doesn't stir some emotions, you might be as cold and heartless as... Mustaine himself.
Because Dave Mustaine is not exactly in the business of making friends. You do not write riffs like these, lyrics this venomous or songs this aggressive by being a particularly cuddly individual. The man has spent forty years turning resentment, frustration and righteous indignation into heavy metal gold, and taking prisoners has never been part of the equation. At Hellfest, Megadeth demonstrates exactly what it has always done best: fast, sharp, hook (in mouth)-laden thrash delivered with absolute conviction. The expected classics are all present, joined by several selections from the excellent farewell album Megadeth. There are gnarly riffs, dazzling guitar duels and enough incandescent solos to light up the entire Loire region.
The crowd responds accordingly. Hellfest's traditional barrage of crowd surfers continues unabated, air guitars multiply by the thousands and neck muscles are tested as if it were still 1986. For ninety minutes, everyone gathers to celebrate the life and deth of a metal institution. And I don't mind saying, we stepped up. We were glorious. We've been great. But, they've been Megadeth.
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TesseracT @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Point Mort @ Warzone (Photo)
Queensrÿche @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Stoned Jesus @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Bloodywood @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Accept @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Sepultura @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Helloween @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Opeth @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Iron Maiden @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
DAY FOUR
Scour @ Temple Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Eyehategod @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Six Feet Under @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Corrosion Of Conformity @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Possessed @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Agnostic Front @ Warzone - (Photos, setlist)
Acid Bath @Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Marduk @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Napalm Death @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Down @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)