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Live Reviews : Megadeth & Children of Bodom @ Eatons Hill, Brisbane 21/10/2015

By on October 22, 2015

Images: Rebecca Reid
Words: Jake Patton

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I read a quote the other day posted on guitar virtuoso Paul Wardingham’s Facebook page that stated “Speed is a by-product of accuracy”. Why am I bringing this up? Well I guess it’s because if speed is a by-product of accuracy, then from the outset, then tonight’s show being a bullseye was destined to create a whirlwind. I like speed in my music, and with two titans of metal, one thrash metal powerhouse individually having sold over 50 million records worldwide, and the Melodic Death Metal kings that have been the guiding light for Finnish metal over the past 20 years, joining forces under the one roof for a show, I couldn’t have been in a better place.

For me, Children of Bodom was the band that started my obsession with metal. From that moment the 2003 teenage version of me heard one of those glaringly outrageous runs from frontman Alexi Laiho, it became obvious I would have a close affinity with this band. I must admit, it’s been a bit of a tenuous relationship, as I get excited for each new album, however, for me, nothing has created that magic since that time. I’ve had the privilege of seeing the band 8-9 times in the past, including overseas at Wacken Open Air, and I can wholeheartedly confirm that tonight has easily been their best performance that I have seen.

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There was just something about the way that they performed on stage. It could have been the confidence of Alexi at the front, leading by example with his flawless arpeggio’s, or harmonic sweeps that brought an air of excitement to the performance. Or possibly, Janne Wirman who played probably the most reserved show that I have seen him play, but you can never truly value exactly what the key maestro adds to each performance going just off his energy levels, and tonight was another great example whereby his keys, feeding off Alexi’s leads, created the perfect ‘Bodom experience’. Bassist Henkka Seppälä shows all the characteristics of an enigmatic stage presence, capturing the crowds gaze and holding it while singing with them, and while Roope Latvala will be sorely missed by a lot of fans, the newest touring member of the band Antti Wirman is certainly a suitable replacement for the guitarist, able to seamlessly join in and look like he has been a part of the band for years. Finally, Jaska Raatikanainen can only be described as ‘the happiest drummer in the world’, as each glance up to his drum riser saw the man sporting the largest grin in the world.

In terms of their setlist, Bodom hit the right mixture of songs, with old and new hits amongst them. Probably the only issue for me was the set duration of 40 minutes, which for me didn’t do them justice and meant that after 10 songs they had to finish up.

From the moment that Children of Bodom left the stage, the Megadeth chants started, and carried on for the next 30 minutes until the lights dropped and plunged the venue into darkness while the introduction video began playing in the background.

I must admit that I had been excited to see Megadeth for a very long time now. It was a show that has been a long time coming, and quite frankly, was well overdue. Bassist Dave Ellefson’s spoken word tour earlier this year whet many appetites, including my own, and it was great that those who attended didn’t have to wait much longer to see the band finally make its long awaited return.

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Initially there were a few minor sound issues, and with Dave being the perfectionist he is, took the time out to comfortably assured the fans that he was going to pause the show for a few minutes to try and rectify the problems. Say what you will about Dave Mustaine, but his commitment to the fans, to what they have paid to watch, and not accepting anything less than perfect is so very admirable. Throughout the show there were also a few sneers and gestures towards the side of stage from Dave, which I am going to assume were directed towards his guitar technician (who he subsequently fired after the show), but in general, I didn’t feel the depth of the sound issues which people reported to have affected the show.

After so many lineup changes, you could be forgiven for saying that ‘this lineup of Megadeth is the best’, but in all honesty, Ellefson has never looked more comfortable than when he is behind his Jackson bass playing for the band, and newest band members Chirs Adler, and Kiko Loureiro, look like they have been playing with these guys for the last thirty years. They both look so comfortable on stage and perform the songs with the feeling that is required for them. While not necessarily replicating it perfectly, I loved the fact that Kiko added his own flair to the solo of ‘Tornado of Souls’ amongst others. It’s great that the band gives the latitude to do this and is another reason why I don’t see the Megadeth bandwagon slowing down any time soon.

Megadeth played, the quintessential set of hit after hit off their 30 year-long discography, including personal favourites of mine ‘She-Wolf’ and ‘Tornado of Souls’, and crowd favourites ‘A Tout Le Monde’, ‘Trust’, ‘Skin o’ my Teeth’ and ‘Peace Sells’. You could have played any songs from the back catalogue and the crowd would have been satisfied, but personally for me, the setlist tonight honestly blew me away. Finally, closing of ‘Holy Wars’ was the perfect way to top off a brilliant night.

Tonight wasn’t a show, it wasn’t just another gig, it was a masterclass. To see bands at the top of their game for over a quarter of a century is one thing, but to see bands excel at their craft after that period of time, when others have risen and fallen in the meantime, is truly monumental. If the main indicator of a successful show is the majority of your crowd coming out hoarse, exhausted, and drenched in their own, and others sweat – then tonight was a great success for both bands.

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