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Retirement sells . . . but not without San Antonio buying one more visit from Megadeth

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Retirement sells . . . but not without San Antonio buying one more visit from Megadeth

For as long as thrash metal has existed, metalheads should undoubtedly be able to agree that one of the main reasons for its influence and allure has been the presence of Dave Mustaine.

Fired from Metallica more than 40 years ago merely led to his formation of Megadeth, a band that took no prisoners and took no shit from the outset and continues to do so in its final days.

Making a long-awaited return to the Alamo City on Tuesday night as direct support to Iron Maiden along with openers Anthrax before 50,000-plus at the Alamodome, the Megadeth frontman brought his latest edition of the band that has included drummer Dirk Verbeuren and bassist James Lomenzo for several years and was rounded out in 2023 by Finnish guitarist Teemu Mantysaari.

Mustaine has been the ultimate example of the type of perseverance metal helps many push through when it comes to the rigors of life. He has battled stenosis that has affected his neck and spine. He went through a bout with throat cancer.

His latest malady is called Dupuytren’s contracture, or “Viking’s Disease,” a condition that affects the feeling and shape of his fingers.

So yeah, while no one would wish any of those issues on their enemies, they’re especially not so ideal for a vocalist and guitarist.

Consequently, Mustaine confirmed shortly after the release of Megadeth’s self-titled 17th studio album earlier this year that this would be the final record and tour run.

But first, he had an audience to entertain at the dome.

Verbeuren took to the stage, acknowledged the fans, and surprisingly began the pounding drum sounds to the rarely played classic “Devil’s Island.” The rest of the band came out — and Mustaine promptly struggled mightily on vocals.

His patented snarl was there. So was his incredible guitar playing. But the abundance of health issues visibly reared their ugly head from the vantage point in the photo pit right in front of Mustaine, at least for the first three songs.

Upon leaving the photo pit, these eyes locked onto shaking of the head reactions from some in the front row that occurred even through second song and fellow 1986 classic “The Conjuring,” another surprise Mustaine inserted into the set after having said he would never play it again due to his Christian beliefs.

Mustaine’s vocal work appeared to improve halfway through the set from a vantage point in Section D on the floor as he and the band tore through “Sweating Bullets,” “Tornado of Souls” and the lone offering from the new album, the record’s ripping opener “Tipping Point.”

Mustaine even subbed in a regular electric guitar for his customary Jackson Flying-V for a couple of songs before ending with the familiar trifecta of “Symphony of Destruction,” “Peace Sells . . . But Who’s Buying” and “Holy Wars . . . The Punishment Due” that are always an invitation for maximum headbanging and, potentially down the road, one’s own stenosis diagnosis.

Mantysaari, who replaced Kiko Loureiro three years ago, has been an incredible complement to Mustaine on guitar. Verbeuren, formerly of Soilwork, has been in the band for a decade, with the 2016 River City Rockfest here being one of the first gigs he played in Megadeth. Lomenzo, meanwhile, has contributed bass to many artists after initially hitting the metal scene throughout White Lion’s late-’80s commercial success.

Mustaine confirmed to the audience the “rumors are true” he’d retire the band after this tour and album run. He certainly doesn’t owe fans anymore of his blood, sweat and tears throughout a legendary career. What a shame it would be if his final San Antonio showing didn’t come in headlining fashion.

For now, one potential last visit will go into the history books and memory banks, for better or worse. But it will also be for all those who appreciate Megadeth’s tenure and contribution not only as a member of the Big 4, but to heavy metal. Period.

With no prisoners taken.

SETLIST: Devil’s Island, The Conjuring, Take No Prisoners, Sweating Bullets, Tipping Point, Tornado of Souls, Symphony of Destruction, Peace Sells . . . But Who’s Buying, Holy Wars . . . The Punishment Due

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Anthrax caught in a blur while moshing on Iron Maiden tour

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Anthrax caught in a blur while moshing on Iron Maiden tour

There aren’t many bands that have been around for 42 years that would agree to play a five-song set for only 30 minutes.

But Anthrax isn’t your ordinary band. They’re also smart enough not to say no to Iron Maiden and its “Run For Your Lives” tour.

So the veteran thrashers from New York agreed to play a mere six dates in September opening for the lads from Britain and Megadeth. One of those dates was fortunate enough to be in the Alamo City on Tuesday night before an estimated 50,000 fans at the Alamodome that was packed to the rafters.

But even vocalist Joey Belladonna, rhythm guitarist Scott Ian, bassist Frank Bello and lead guitarist Jon Donais were thrown a curveball when original drummer Charlie Benante was said to have woken up with “debilitating vertigo” and unable to play.

A mad scramble ensued to enable Anthrax to avoid cancelling its appearance. Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren took action by calling San Antonio resident and current Raven and former Fear Factory backstopper Mike Heller, who luckily answered the phone.

Without knowing any Anthrax songs (surprisingly), only being given 4 1/2 hours notice and being directed to the wrong place to park — and only meeting with the band members an hour before hitting the stage — Heller turned into Mighty Mouse on his own by saving the day as Anthrax kicked off a loud, memorable, headbanging night for the ages.

Despite releasing their first album in 10 years only 11 days prior, Anthrax could not perform any tunes from Cursum Perficio given that Heller had to chart even their most well-known classics. And given their short allotted 40 minutes of stage time that turned into 30, it’s not clear whether Anthrax would’ve performed at least first single “It’s for the Kids” even if Benante had answered the call.

No matter.

Heller stepped in, and Anthrax moshed things up as only they know how with five of their tunes from the 1985-90 era (setlist below).

Heller wrote on his social media pages the day after in part:

“So I woke up today thinking that I was gonna spend a nice day with my cats and my drumpad… then out of absolutely nowhere at 2:00pm I get a call from my buddy Dirk Verbeuren… he asks me if I’m in town tonight, and if I might know any Anthrax songs, and if I can fill in for Charlie Benante at 6:30pm tonight on the Maiden/Megadeth/ Anthrax tour…. Well… I didn’t know any Anthrax songs on the drums, but I quickly charted two out, raced down to the Alamodome… sat in traffic and got thrown to the wrong place to park, finally got inside, sat down with the guys in Anthrax for less than an hour… charted the other songs as they told me how the versions they play live are different from the album… and then went on stage in front of 56,000 people or whatever, and did my best... Holy crap! How the HELL did I get here?!?!”

“I still have no idea what happened! Next time, I hope I get more than a few hours to try to learn the songs… and hopefully I would actually be able to move the drums into a comfortable playing position for me… but this is a night I will never forget!” (see 42-photo gallery).

As Ian told the crowd immediately after opening track “Caught in a Mosh:”

“Before we go any further . . . Charlie was puking his guts out this morning.”

But when push came to shove, Anthrax delivered the goods as they so often do. It’s virtually a given they’ll be back nearby on a headlining run once things settle down.

Until then, “My journey has come to an end” may or may not be taken literally from Anthrax’s point of view. Between now and then, however, it’s perfectly acceptable to be caught in a mosh anytime Anthrax is in the vicinity.

SETLIST: Caught in a Mosh, Madhouse, Antisocial, Got the Time, Indians

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Germany's 'ramming stone' rams Alamodome with explosively fun Zeit

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Germany's 'ramming stone' rams Alamodome with explosively fun Zeit

Unlike other storied metal artists from their homeland, witnessing a Rammstein live-music spectacle can’t help but beg the question: what is the allure to American fans of a band that sings nearly all of its songs in German?

Popular sing-alongs such as “Du Hast” may have something to do with it. So too could be unorthodox costumes. How about a keyboardist who plays while walking on a treadmill?

The most explosive show in metal, complete with a flamethrower lighting up the stage triggered by a bloodied-chef vocalist, certainly plays a major part. It’s an attraction that must be seen to be believed from the group whose name translates to “ramming stone.”

But all of that combined still could thank Rammstein’s 2 1/2 decades of controversial yet catchy music for causing approximately 40,000 metalheads to partake in the group’s first San Antonio visit in 10 years last Saturday night at the Alamodome.

So what if the lyrics aren’t in English!

While this must be what it feels like for fans in other nations to sit through their favorite artists singing in a language secondary to their own, at least English is the universal language. Nevertheless, in metal speak, headbanging and tossing them thar horns skyward is as universal as it gets no matter the words on the other end.

That’s what helped make Rammstein’s latest visit one for the memory books.

Touring in support of Zeit — “time” — the German band that has not once altered its original six-pack lineup since forming in 1994 put on another dazzling display of part rock show, part apocalyptic meltdown (see 67-photo slideshow below).

Preceded by French pianists Duo Abelard performing Rammstein songs instrumentally (no media photography was approved for its performance), Rammstein would begin the show with an announcement prior to its entrance beckoning “the band respectfully asks that you do not film the show.” Of couse, that plea would fall mostly on deaf ears.

And so Rammstein began its fiery journey appearing one at a time. Drummer Christoph Schneider, bassist Oliver Riedel, keyboardist Christian “Flake” Lorenz and guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe set the stage for vocalist Till Lindemann. As the methodical proceedings of Zeit’s opening track “Armee der Tristen” filled the dome, a singular sound-off of pyro that could only be described as bombastic set its own stage for the next 2 1/2 hours.

Unfortunately, media members were forced to miss 5 1/2 songs beginning with third offering “Links 2 3 4” while sorting through instructions and waivers in the bowels of the Alamodome for the permitted photography that was to come halfway through the set. Thanks to some of those who ignored the no-video request, it was discovered post-show that some of the action missed included a baby carriage being set on fire and Lindemann donning a contraption that had flames bursting out of his chest.

And those were just appetizers. The largest fire of the night came courtesy of Lindemann’s flamethrower during “Mein Teil” as the singer dressed as a chef with a blood-soaked hat and apron who “cooked” Lorenz while the latter was standing in a pot.

Other fan favorites such as “Du Riechst So Gut,” “Engel,” “Sonne” and “Sehnsucht” helped soothe this writer’s brief disappointment in the band leaving out the 2002 Vin Diesel-led “XXX” movie hit “Feuer Frei,” “Amerika” and “Mutter” — though Rammstein did play four tunes from the album of the latter’s name. Considering this night marked the third consecutive September the band and the Alamo City attempted to make this show happen due to Covid-19, the third time was definitely the charm, particularly for those who’d been holding onto tickets since 2020. Heck, the occasion was so big, Landers and Kruspe even shared a kiss at one point, to loud approval.

With apologies to German brethren Scorpions (in town tonight at Freeman Coliseum), Accept (headlining the 1920 San Antonio nightclub at The Espee Pavilion on Tuesday, Oct. 4), Udo Dirkschneider, Kreator, Doro Pesch and Helloween, any video circulating from this show in spite of Rammstein’s pre-show request can be blamed on a simple formula: everything is bigger in Texas + Rammstein always puts on a huge production = one of the loudest gigs in recent memory.

It’s why some exited the dome claiming they couldn’t hear what their significant other was trying to tell them, even once outside in the quiet hazy summer night.

And it helped explain that the task of answering why American metalheads are fascinated by a band whose only usage of English was in the form of “San Antonio” and “you’ve got a pussy. I’ve got a dick. So what’s the problem? Let’s do it . . . quick” ultimately gave way to just going with the flow — and headbanging with the pyro.

Danke schon, Rammstein.

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