Megadeth Kicks off World Tour in Dallas, TX
Photo by: John Thornbrugh
On February 20,, 2016, Megadeth kicked off their 2016 world tour in support of their 15th studio album, Dystopia, in Dallas, Texas, at the South Side Ballroom. As we pulled up to the location in the heart of downtown Dallas, a giant Gilley’s Dallas sign could be seen looming over what was once a warehouse but now houses some of the best music rolling through area. I have to say, the South Side Ballroom has to be the coolest place I have seen a live show, and I have seen a couple. Before Megadeth took to the stage, Havok and Children of Bodom got the capacity crowd warmed up (keep an eye out for a separate review).
Photo by: John Thornbrugh
As the lights came up and Megadeth took to the stage, the crowd went insane and not even a chord had been struck, but when the opening of “Hanger 18” ripped through the audience, another level of insanity set in as it was real now. Megadeth had taken the stage and was about to take us on a 16 song history lesson of the band. Yes, they only played one song off of Dystopia which was “Fatal Illusion”, and honestly, I was okay with that. I had posted the set list on Twitter before the show started, and of course there were the handful of critics that were not happy with the set list because there were not enough new tracks being played live. Hell, there are a few billion folks out there in the world, we can’t all be happy, but the ones in attendance seemed to be just fine with old school tunes that were drop kicking us in the face.
Photo by: John Thornbrugh
From start to finish Dave, (he said I could call him that when I met him Friday night) sounded great. There had been a few things posted about his vocals on the new album – how he sounded a little gruff – but live, man, he sounded fantastic. Not only did Dave sound great, so did the rest of the band. Chris Adler (Lamb of God) seemed to slide right in to the drum kit and take over. Oh and just a tip, if you are thinking to yourself you don’t want to carry around that Chris Adler signed drum head and that you will get it after the show, you won’t; they will be sold out, and you will be kicking yourself. Trust me; I know. I had that thought and was shit out of luck when I went to go buy one. Closing out the night was a quintuplet of Megadeth hits. I am not going to tell you what they were (not like I did not post the set list or anything) but it kicked off with “A Tout Le Monde” and ended with “Holy Wars”. So, get your asses out there and see these guys on this tour; don’t be that person who has to hear about it from all their friends
Ace Sims – RockRevolt Contributor
