In Our Darkest Hours...

MEGADETH

still gets up close, personal, real hot and sweaty!

Despite the tragedies that have effected us all, Megadeth delivered on a promise continuing to add club and theater dates to their North American tour, providing their die-hard fans with the chance to get up close and in their face as they speed through almost 2 full hours of material.  And as an added to bonus to all, the set changes every night, since the band has allowed their fans to choose the songs.  According to their Web site, the fan who's list is selected for the evening even gets to be a roadie for a day. 

The Pittsburgh performance included a good representation of the band’s history, while making it clear that material from The World Needs a Hero (Sanctuary) has allowed the band to make a well anticipated return to their roots with predictable inclusions like the lengthy duet of "Return to Hangar" and "Hangar 18" and an ironic and appropriate rendition of "Holy Wars," as well as new material like "1000 Times Goodbye" and "Kill the King."

It is not often that you actually see a crowd so involved in a performance, shouting everything from "USA" to the title of what was next on the list, and ah yes, with some moshing and some music from Megadeth, the pit is back.  And favorites like "Peace Sells...," "Symphony of Destruction," and "Hook in Mouth" were reason enough to spark the aggression (and fun).

The band was sure to include other familiar songs like "A Tout Le Monde," "Sweating Bullets," and "Tornado of Souls" before calling it a day, but they unfortunately left out two of their most recent singles, "Moto Psycho" and "Crush 'Em."  For more info be sure to read our interview with Al Pitrelli and visit www.megadeth.com.

        ICED EARTH
A power metal band actually playing Pittsburgh?  Thanks to Dave Mustaine, Iced Earth had the opportunity to finally visit Pittsburgh and attempt to conquer the cavernous pit of sound known as M.  A dying dance club, M offers sound techs the task of making a great band sound like they are playing in a sewer.  Iced Earth of course was bit by the sound gremlins, but the band bit right back with a tight set that saw them cover their impressive catalog in 7 songs.  "Burning Times" lead off the set that was greeted by a strange occurrence beforehand.  The crowd was chanting “Iced Earth, Iced Earth” just like the people do in Europe at concerts.  This is the first time I can remember an opening band getting such great treatment in this town.   “Vengeance Is Mine” (from Dark Saga) ripped through the crowd that was eager to respond to vocalist Matthew Barlow’s hand gestures for the chorus. 

As I have mentioned in the CD review for “Horror Show”, Iced Earth has ascended to top of the United States heavy metal throne and cast the wretched carcass of the once mighty Metallica to the Nu Metal crowd.  No better example of this is apparent than the haunting “Ghost Of Freedom” which promises to become their own “Fade To Black”.   “Vengeance Is Mine” and “Ghost Of Freedom” (dedicated to those in service to America) are certainly relevant in these troubled times.  Also from “Horror Show”, the crowd was treated to the sinister tracks “Damien” and “Dracula”.  Reaching back to their 2^nd CD, “Night Of The Stormrider”, Iced Earth took us on a journey along the river Styx with “Travel In Stygian” which was met with boisterous approval.  Finishing up with “Coming Curse”, Iced Earth certainly won over some Megadeth fans who were not familiar with the bands material. 

A 35 minute set surely did not seem long enough (especially if you own the “Alive In Athens” 2 or 3 CD set) but Mr. Schaffer and company will be most welcome in area once they headline their own tour across the United States. 

Setlist:

Burning Times
Damien
Vengeance Is Mine
Dracula
Travel in Stygian
Ghost of Freedom
Coming Curse

Visit Iced Earth at their homepage:  http://www.icedearth.com.
 

.
Click here to search our catalog

e-mail us ( music@tprs.com ) for availability.