Live Review: Megadeth, Children Of Bodom

Signs looked good for opening act Children Of Bodom as the restless Metro City crowd started an early chant of "Bodom, Bodom" and it wasn’t long before the waiting masses were rewarded.

The man of a thousand Flying Vs, Alexi Laiho, along with his Finnish countrymen, treated Perth to their own brand of melodic death-metal. They kept it simple for an opening act, playing a mix of old favourites and a couple of songs off their new album I Worship Chaos.  Strong visuals complemented a strong and technically brilliant set.

Dave Mustaine needs no introductions (mostly because he’ll do that himself) and that's how Megadeth starts their set with the brilliant Hanger 18. Clever use of visuals via three video screens enhanced the sonic sledgehammer that battered the packed venue as the American quartet tore through a set of favourites which included Wake Up Dead, Sweating Bullets and Public Enemy No 1.

Bass player (and the other Dave) Dave Ellesfon and drummer Chris Adler showcased their chops with Dawn Patrol. Drum and Bass never sounded so good, although bizarrely Mustaine’s vocals were supplied via backing track with the two musicians having the stage to themselves. Guitarist Kiko Loureiro and Mustaine soon appeared and the band was back together to continue the trash onslaught that included a cover of the Thin Lizzy classic Cold Sweat, although not having been blessed with the best vocal range Mustaine really did the song justice.

Megadeth mascot Vic Rattlehead made an appearance for Peace Sells but unlike that other legendary heavy metal mascot Eddie, Vic didn’t interact with the band but threw up horns and fists to the audience for a few minutes before leaving the stage. It was hard to see what the point was. It’s a bit of a strange leftover from the '80s that is probably best left there.

Fatal Illusion from the upcoming album Dystopia gave us a taste of things to come, and what’s coming sounds very good indeed, the track receiving more than the polite applause usually reserved for untested live premieres. The introduction of the night’s closing track, Holy Wars, gave us a glimpse into Mustaine's highly polarising political views, but given it was a tiny glimpse, the music did the talking.

The lights came up, the dust settled and the bruised, battered and sweaty mosh pit mass (as well as everyone else in the packed venue) were left in no doubt. Megadeth are still a metal force to be reckoned with.