Greenville, SC (5/4/22) – After missing out last year due to various Covid issues the Metal Tour of The Year finally made its return. Featuring Megadeth and Lamb Of God the event also brings along Trivium and In Flames. Fans of heavy metal filled the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC with a sea of black as they headbanged with their fists of metal horns in the air. The crowd was mixed with long time fans to newcomers experiencing their first metal show. The excitement of the night only continued to grow as each band would deliver hard hitting performances.
Hailing from Sweden the band In Flames would open the night. For all the early arrivers this would be a special treat. Frontman Anders Fridén worked the crowd encouraging circle pits and crowd surfing. Christopher Broderick would be a familiar face to many as a former member of Megadeth pulling guitar duties. The set would take a step back to the bands first album with “Behind Space” as they worked their way to songs like “Call My Name” and “I Am Above” form their latest album “I, The Mask.” Closing out a ripping set would be one of the groups better known songs “Take This Life.”
Touring in support of their latest album, “In The Court of The Dragon” the group Trivium was up next. The Grammy nominated group from Florida has a 23yr history and showed no signs of slowing down. Matt Heafy gave a powerful vocal performance as he shared guitar duties with Corey Beaulieu. Taking the crowd on a musical experience “Beyond Oblivion” the band would also deliver songs such as “Feast of Fire” and “In Waves.” Paolo Gregoletto (Bass) and Alex Bent (Drums) backed gave the foundation to some amazing guitar riffs and solos.
Led by the high flying frontman Randy Blythe (this guy is wild on stage) co-headliners Lamb of God came out with a fury. There was no soft introduction or easing into this set, just straight to the in your face delivery of mayhem. “Memento Mori” was first out of the gate. Mark Morton and Willie Adler blazed through their blistering fret board work as John Campbell (Bass) and Art Cruz (Drums) provided the gut punching backbone. “Walk With Me In Hell” heated up the crowd as flames arose from the stage. Security staff was kept busy with crowd surfers making their way over the barriers. “Redneck” would send fans into the biggest circle pit of the night as it closed out an hour long set.
After a much needed break for set change Megadeth took to the stage. Watching one of the “big four” deliver their “Symphony of Destruction” up close is truly an experience. Dave Mustaine approached center stage and took to handling business. This man has powered through throat cancer and still commands an audience like no other. From one song to the next Megadeth pleased the ears of those in attendance as the bands mascot Vic prowled the stage. Overlooking the sea of mosh pits Mustaine and band gave the arena a set list of their classic songs such as “Trust,” “Dystopia,” “Hangar 18,” “Sweating Bullets” and more. With such an extensive catalog to pull from the show had something for every fan to dig into. Adding to the bands work will be a new album, “The Sick, The Dying and The Dead” slated for a summer release. Just in time to possibly hear some new music on the groups next upcoming tour with Five Finger Death Punch.
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Copyright Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography
