Heaven and Hell
So everything worked out that I could not only leave work early on Thursday to go see possibly the greatest show ever (from what I’ve been hearing), but I was also able to get Friday off, so a nice 3 day weekend ahead.
Everything started off pretty well, but thanks to me and Bill’s navigating skills, we ended up lost in Milton before finding our way to Lowell and the Tsongas Arena. Unfortunately, we missed Machine Head (I would have liked to see them and hear the new stuff live), but from what I’ve read, we didn’t miss much as they only played 4 songs and I’ve heard the sound is not good at all during their set.
We got there just as the Machine Head crew was taking down the stage. Angela and I were on the floor in the general admission area and Bill and Ryan took the tickets for the seats. I don’t know where they were, but they said the seats were decent, so it was all good.
Megadeth absolutely floored me. Dave and company came blasting out of the gates with Sleepwalker from the new album and immediately followed it with Take No Prisoners. This band had new energy and they threw it at us all night long. The last time I saw Megadeth was when they headlined Gigantour last summer, and though they were good then, they were much better last night. The more I see of Glenn Drover the more impressed I am. All the solos were played perfectly last night by Dave and Glenn and the majority of the set list was older material. Sean had a pretty sweet drum kit and I think James Lomenzo fits the band much better than James McDonough did. Also, I believe we got the best set list that Megadeth has thrown out on the tour so far:
Heaven and Hell had to be the heaviest band I’ve ever heard live. I still maintain that Ministry at Wacken Open Air 2006 was the loudest band I’ve ever heard live, but nothing was heavier than Heaven and Hell last night. Wow. Dio and the boys opened with E5150 followed by After All (The Dead) and never let up, even though the majority of the songs were the slower, mid-tempo doom masterpieces the band is known for. Dio still has it after all these years and Iommi and Geezer haven’t lost it. I’ve seen Sabbath with Ozzy twice at Ozzfest over the years, and while they’re always great, I think last night was the best I’ve seen both Iommi and Geezer. Geezer is a monster on the bass and what can be said about Iommi that hasn’t already. The man is a guitar legend. I didn’t know too much about Vinnie Appice, but man the dude can play. And his drum set was awesome…the side drums would shake and look like they would fall over every time he hit them.
I’m still not sure if it was the greatest show I’ve ever seen, but it was definitely one of the best. I think Heaven and Hell (the song) may have been the highlight of the evening…one of my absolute favorite songs and they played an extended version of it. Pure magic. I know Megadeth said they would be back, here’s hoping Dio and the boys decide to record some more new material and keep touring, as the new songs sounded amazing live as well.
Heaven and Hell Set List:
Everything started off pretty well, but thanks to me and Bill’s navigating skills, we ended up lost in Milton before finding our way to Lowell and the Tsongas Arena. Unfortunately, we missed Machine Head (I would have liked to see them and hear the new stuff live), but from what I’ve read, we didn’t miss much as they only played 4 songs and I’ve heard the sound is not good at all during their set.
We got there just as the Machine Head crew was taking down the stage. Angela and I were on the floor in the general admission area and Bill and Ryan took the tickets for the seats. I don’t know where they were, but they said the seats were decent, so it was all good.
Megadeth absolutely floored me. Dave and company came blasting out of the gates with Sleepwalker from the new album and immediately followed it with Take No Prisoners. This band had new energy and they threw it at us all night long. The last time I saw Megadeth was when they headlined Gigantour last summer, and though they were good then, they were much better last night. The more I see of Glenn Drover the more impressed I am. All the solos were played perfectly last night by Dave and Glenn and the majority of the set list was older material. Sean had a pretty sweet drum kit and I think James Lomenzo fits the band much better than James McDonough did. Also, I believe we got the best set list that Megadeth has thrown out on the tour so far:
- Sleepwalker
- Take No Prisoners
- Kick The Chair
- Wake Up Dead
- Tornado of Souls
- Washington is Next!
- Hangar 18
- Peace Sells
- Encore:
- Symphony of Destruction
- Holy Wars/Mechanix/…The Punishment Due
Heaven and Hell had to be the heaviest band I’ve ever heard live. I still maintain that Ministry at Wacken Open Air 2006 was the loudest band I’ve ever heard live, but nothing was heavier than Heaven and Hell last night. Wow. Dio and the boys opened with E5150 followed by After All (The Dead) and never let up, even though the majority of the songs were the slower, mid-tempo doom masterpieces the band is known for. Dio still has it after all these years and Iommi and Geezer haven’t lost it. I’ve seen Sabbath with Ozzy twice at Ozzfest over the years, and while they’re always great, I think last night was the best I’ve seen both Iommi and Geezer. Geezer is a monster on the bass and what can be said about Iommi that hasn’t already. The man is a guitar legend. I didn’t know too much about Vinnie Appice, but man the dude can play. And his drum set was awesome…the side drums would shake and look like they would fall over every time he hit them.
I’m still not sure if it was the greatest show I’ve ever seen, but it was definitely one of the best. I think Heaven and Hell (the song) may have been the highlight of the evening…one of my absolute favorite songs and they played an extended version of it. Pure magic. I know Megadeth said they would be back, here’s hoping Dio and the boys decide to record some more new material and keep touring, as the new songs sounded amazing live as well.
Heaven and Hell Set List:
- E5150
- After All (The Dead)
- The Mob Rules
- Children of the Sea
- Lady Evil
- I
- Sign of the Southern Cross
- Voodoo
- The Devil Cried
- Appice Solo
- Computer God
- Falling Off the Edge of the World
- Shadow of the Wind
- Iommi Solo/Die Young
- Heaven and Hell
- Encore:
- Neon Nights