Exodus are a band who has defined opposition from their conception having faced a revolving door of line up changes including two untimely deaths of their members. Despite the constant struggles they have faced, they immerge victorious in nearly every instance, thanks largely in part to the bands founder and guitarist Gary Holt who seems to defiantly stare down tribulation in the face until it cowers away. Their inclusion on this tour was a perfect addition as they represent perseverance in the very same manner as Megadeth have demonstrated themselves. Exodus set was short to say the least as usually happens with opening bands but also viciously potent in every aspect of their performance. The band played a healthy dose of fan favorites including the timeless classic “Bonded By Blood” as well as a couple of new gems off their upcoming release Exhibit B: The Human Condition which is slated for release in early May 2010. My only complaint for this set was that the lighting was absolutely atrocious and it was extremely difficult to get any pics not to mention just seeing the band perform.

When speaking of legacy’s, Testament, in keeping with the theme that Megadeth initiated for this jaunt decided to go back to their roots and play the entire first album of The Legacy to the satisfaction of all the truly diehard Testament fans. Catching this performance became a bit of a personal mission for me when I first caught wind that they would be included in the package as over the years I have tried relentlessly to see these guys live and have time and time again run into all sorts of mayhem that subsequently prevented my bearing witness to their remarkable persona. This event was the first time I have ever actually seen the band play and while the lights sucked just as bad as they did for Exodus, I was entranced at the sonic delivery being made from their stage. This is thrash at its very best and although it doesn’t quite make up for all the times I’ve missed out it was definitely a damn good start. I know that the nostalgia of some fans were appeased with the inclusion of The Legacy album but personally I’d of loved to have heard a bit more from albums such as The New Order, Low and my ultimate favorite and the bands most recent offering The Formation of Damnation. Nevertheless they put on a great show and hopefully I will see them again this summer on the American Carnage tour with Slayer and Megadeth. 

You can always tell just how good a band really is when you see their live performance. If they are able to accomplish live what they do on CD then you know you are witnessing something special. Megadeth are absolutely without a doubt such a band. Playing their music to CD perfection you almost question whether or not they are actually performing live. This of course is blatantly obvious with the few improvisations and subtle changes that can only be felt in a live setting, but damn!, these guys are almost machine like in their delivery. The performance I caught was the last night of the tour held to a sold out crowd at the Hollywood Palladium. I noticed it was actually being filmed, hopefully for an upcoming DVD release. It was great hearing a set of classics and new material as well from the band alongside of the main event which of course being the entire Rust In Peace CD included songs never performed before in a live setting such as “Five Magics”, “Poison Was the Cure”, and “Rust in Peace...Polaris” (my personal favorite). New guitarist Chris Broderick (ex-Nevermore/Jag Panzer) was a shred monster and is no doubt my favorite axe slinger since Marty Friedman. Having Mr. Ellefson back in the bass position made this one of the best performances I’ve ever seen by Megadeth. It’s no secret the chemistry has been re-ignited as was evidenced by the killer renditions of “Dawn Patrol” and “Peace Sells”. People, they are just getting started. The lighting was superb for Megadeth’s set.      

-Priest