Reno, NV (7/18/26) – Iconic thrash metal band Megadeth unleashed metal mayhem on the largest stage in North America. The Ziegfeld Stage at the Grand Theatre, housed within Grand Sierra Resort in Reno,
Nevada was the scene of the annihilating assault. Though the masses were plenty, due to the at
capacity crowd, where each bore witness, there were absolutely no complainants.
There was a energetic buzz within the packed theatre where the sold-out crowd anxiously
waited for the thrash giants to take the stage. The crowd was stacked with metal fans of all
ages, with even several youngsters riding the rail beside some incredibly proud dads.
There would be no supporting act on this tour stop, so most everyone was aware of the 8pm
show time. At one second after 8 o’clock, that energetic buzz became even more kinetic. As the
huge video screens on either side of the stage began to show live video of the rock thirsty concert goers, the entire crowd erupted in cheers.
Finally, at around 8:15, the house lights went out as Dave Mustaine took the stage, to the
sound of thunderous applause. Megadeth kicked off the scorching 15 song set with ‘Tipping Point’, from the band’s 17th and final studio album.
With Dave Mustaine and Teemu Mäntysaari absolutely shredding on guitar, James Lomenzo’s
thunderous bass, and Dirk Verbeuren beating the holy hell out of the skins, the band brazenly
besieged the ravenous metal crowd with ‘Hangar 18’ and ‘Skin O’ My Teeth” before Mustaine graciously greeted us. Mustaine’s vocals were incredibly strong yet graveled from over four decades of metal
mayhem. A fact that I feel worked incredibly well in favor of the songs performed. The band was razor sharp instrumentally, with all four members in top form.
Mixing in a handful of tracks from the new self-titled album, such as the aforementioned
‘Tipping Point’, ‘I Don’t Care’, ‘Puppet Parade’, and ‘Let there Be Shred’, the remaining set
consisted of many Megadeth classics such as ‘Sweating Bullets’, ‘Symphony of Destruction’, and
‘Peace Sells’. The legendary Vic Rattlehead even made an appearance to join Mustaine at the mic during ‘Peace Sells’.
Megadeth ended the show with the iconic closer, ‘Holy Wars’, to thunderous applause. In what
I viewed as an incredibly classy move, the entire band came together, joined arms, and bowed
to the crowd. Then, each one threw out their remaining guitar picks, wrist bands, and even drumsticks to the ever-loyal fans, affectionally known as “Droogies”.
Although the stage lighting was phenomenal, Megadeth did not rely on a spectacularly
bedazzled light show. Their intent was obvious. To let the music do the work and be the primary focus.
I can honestly say that out of the 13 concerts I’ve attended so far this year, Megadeth has been
my favorite performance. While opinions are divided amongst online fans and concert goers at
this show, as to whether this performance was part of the Megadeth farewell tour or not. I can only hope that this is not my last opportunity to see this legendary band.
“The final curtain falls, a quiet end to it all
Now it’s just memories in my mind
Just fading lights and names, if I ever play again
Then let this last note never die
Never die
They gave me gold, they gave me a name
But every deal was signed in blood and flames
So here’s my last will, my final testament, my sneer
I came, I ruled, now I disappear”
If those lyrics from ‘The Last Note’ are any indication of Mustaine’s future plans. After decades
giving us some fantastic metal madness, it’s my hope that he’s able to ‘Rust in Peace’
Setlist
‘Tipping Point’
“Hangar 18’
‘Skin O’ My Teeth’
‘I Don’t Care’
‘Sweating Bullets’
‘She-Wolf’
‘Puppet Parade’
‘Poison’
‘Mechanix’
‘Ride’
‘Let There Be Shred’
‘Tornado’
‘Peace Sells’
‘Symphony’
‘Holy Wars’
Do not altar photos
Copyright: Chris Couture Photography
