GIGANTOUR 2008 Featuring MEGADETH

With In Flames, Children of Bodom and Job for a Cowboy

May 4^th, 2008

Time Warner Cable Amphitheater

Cleveland, Ohio

Although the weather was cold outside and there was still a bit of old man winter in the air, there was no shortage of heat inside Time Warner Cable Amphitheater as “GIGANTOUR 2008” took the stage.

Deemed “the brainchild” of Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine, “GIGANTOUR” is to thrash metal what air is to life, something you can’t live without.  With a more intense lineup than at last year’s tour, Megadeth put together the show of all shows.  With a lineup of talented bands such as “In Flames”, “Children of Bodom” and “Job for a Cowboy” you know your ears are in for a treat and a bit of pain from the amplified to the n-th degree speaker system.

“Sleepwalker” off the latest Megadeth LP was the opening song and from there the band never looked back.  Although the spotlight was on Mustaine most of the night, you couldn’t help but notice the shredding guitar playing of the newest member of the band, ‘Chris Broderick’.  Don’t get me wrong, Mustaine plays guitar like there’s not tomorrow, and after a scare with some nerve problems he had that could have left him unable to play guitar, he seems to have a renewed spirit and plays with so much more authority.

The fans weren’t going to be shorted on the songs they hold dearly to their metal hearts as Mustaine and company played classics such as “Take No Prisoners”, “Hangar 18” and probably the best song of the night, “Symphony of Destruction”.

Now, everyone thinks their still a kid when they go to concerts, but this crowd was filled with older Megadeth fans as well as newer, younger fans.  It’s funny to watch the older fans stand by the side as the mosh-pit was in full force.  I watched as an older gentleman tried to hang in the mosh-pit but then threw up his hands, grabbed a beer and said F-it. 

It’s good to see that the generation gap was closed by the tour, both young and old enjoyed what these guys threw out…think about it, it was 18 years ago when “Rust in Peace” was released…anyone who was 18 at the time is now 36.  Sure they still enjoy the music, but they’re letting their kids do the mosh-pit thing instead of them.

I didn’t see any sign that the band was getting older…just better with time.

MDN