Concert Review: Gigantour w/ Megadeth, Dream Theater, Fear Factory, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Life of Agony, Nevermore, Symphony X

This was my most anticipated concert of the summer, and was it well worth the wait. I was completely drained after 7 hours of music. Dave Mustaine has done a great job at putting together this metal tour, one would hope that this could become a yearly package. More economical than Ozzfest, yet still delivering the goods in providing a strong metal show with a mix of young and old bands.

I got there about 4:40 for the advertised 5:00 start. As I picked up my ticket at will call, I heard music emanating from inside. I asked if the show started, they said yes. Turns out they started at 4:30 with Dry Kill Logic. So, I had already missed 1 of the 8 bands. I had been looking forward to see Dry Kill Logic again as they have been doing strong work lately. Well, there were still 7 bands to go. Oh yeah, Bobaflex didn't play this show at all, despite them being there, I had seen one of their vans parked outside.

I got inside and made my way towards the stage. At 5:00 the next band started, Symphony X. This was one of my anticipated acts, I had heard about them, good things too. Their 20 minute set did not disappoint. Although I was not familiar with their music, their technically precise brand of metal fell on friendly ears. Their playing was powerful, intricate, and tight. Now what I am about to say (write?) may not be accurate, but I am going to say it anyway. The music reminded me of Dream Theater in that they both have a progressive metal style which lets everyone shine, and can simultaneously be heavy and musically intricate. I will definitely be looking into more of their music.
Set List:
Inferno
Wicked
Sea of Lies
Of Sins And Shadows

The focus shifted to stage left for the next band. I was wondering how they were going to arrange the stage for so many bands. They had the drum kits doubled up on each side of the stage, one band would play om the right, the next on the left, so while one band played, they would get the opposite side set for the next band. It was a rather efficient setup, allowed to only have brief intermissions between bands.

Next was a band that I was highly anticipating, I had never seen them live, but have been a fan of their music for awhile. Nevermore took the stage and had my attention for the seemingly quick 25 minutes that they were on stage. Their brand of dark edged metal was great, they performed a tight set, which I really wish was longer. Also, despite being a fan of their music, I only know two albums, and neither one were represented here (Dreaming Neon Black, Dead Heart in a Dead World). On the other side, it gave me a chance to hear some other material, including two songs from their latest release, Godless Endeavor, and their set closer "Enemies of Reality." Ripping guitars, powerful vocals were the order of the evening. I really hope to get the chance to see these guys again.
Set List:
Seven Tongues of God
Never Purify
Born
Final Product
Enemies of Reality

The crowd shifted to stage left and we were face to face with Life of Agony. I remember listening to these guys many years ago, never could be considered a fan, but some of that old stuff was pretty good, this performance, however, did not do much for me. It wasn't awful, or anywhere near the worst I've ever seen, but it just left me flat. It wasn't for any lack of effort on their part. They were full of energy and did their best to tear it down. I didn't even realize who it was at first, it didn't really sound like the band that I used to know. Well, there was still a lot of music to come.
Set List:
Don’t Bother
This Time
Day He Died
Through
Love to Let You Down
Rivers

We made the final shift across the stage for The Dillinger Escape Plan. Sadly, another band that did not terribly impress me. They were a little too hardcore for me, a little to much much noise and too little technique. Although, I think that the lead guitarist had the ability, but was too busy acting like a fish out of water, jumping and twitching and knocking over his equipment. They probably put on the most active set of the night, between the guitarists antics and the singer's penchant for climbing on the equipment and swinging mic stands around. I actually feared a couple of times that he was going to let the stand fly out into the crowd. Again, I could tell they were playing their hearts out, but the music just wasn't for me.
Set List:
Panasonic Youth
43% Burnt
The Mullet Burden
Baby's First Coffin
When Good Dogs Do Bad Things
Setting Fire To Sleeping Giants
Sunshine The Werewolf

Now, the stage was cleared of the equipment setup on the left and right of the stage, opening up most of the stage floor. This made room for the gear of the main opening act, the last chance to get warmed up before our double main event. The crowd seemed primed enough already, but hey, this is a metal show and you can never have enough metal.

It was time for another one my highly anticipated acts, outside of the headliners, of course. At approximately 7:20, Fear Factory took to the stage opening with the head crushing, pit inducing anthem, "Edgecrusher." This is the fourth time I have had the pleasure of having my head caved in, but it is the first time I have seen them since Dino left and Christian picked up the guitar. If anything, this version is a little bit more raw, yet just as tight as ever. Burton C. Bell held court, holding us in the palm of his his hand, his raging vocals are among the best in metal. I just wish that they could have played a longer set. At one point they started playing the opening of Pantera's "Walk" in tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell. We also got a peek at the new album coming Tuesday, playing the title track "Transgression." This is definitely a band worth listening to.
Set List:
Edgecrusher
Demanufacture
Acres of Skin
Transgression
Archetype
Replica

Now was the start of the slow burn, they gave us a half hour to wait while the stage was redressed. At 8:30 the musical masters known as Dream Theater took to the stage, opening with "The Root of All Evil." They never let up at that point. This is the fourth time I have seen them, but the first since 1998. This is probably the heaviest I have heard them live. They focused on their heavier material for their 90 minute set. Their slower songs are fantastic as well, but this setting begs for the heavy. They delivered on all counts, they are quite possibly the most technically talented band performing today. Everyone has their moment to shine. This five piece gel so well together and can flat out go. It seemed as if the majority of the crowd was there for them. Dream Theater is a band I will always go see when they come to town, I just wish they would come to town more often.
Set List:
The Root of All Evil
The Glass Prison
Panic Attack
Never Enough
Endless Sacrifice
Caught In A Web
Just Let Me Breathe
Lie
As I Am
Encore:
Pull Me Under/Metropolis

After that 90 minute set, we were given another half hour to catch our breath. The crowd thinned a bit as some of the fans went to buy merch or grab a smoke. That allowed me to get a little closer to the front rail. In eager anticipation of what was to come.

At 10:30 the mastermind of Gigantour came out. It was time for the mighty Megadeth. This was my second time to see them. The last time I saw them was back in 2001, shortly before the Rude Awakening live album was recorded. A lot has changed since then, there was a multi-year hiatus, a drastic lineup change, and a new album. All of which seems to have done Dave Mustaine some good. Their performance was great, although I will admit that I liked the previous lineup that I saw, which included Al Pitrelli and Jimmy Degrasso, and I would have loved to have seen them in their prime with Nick Menza and Marty Friedman. This lineup includes former Iced Earth bass player James Macdonough, and brothers Glen and Shawn Drover on guitar and drums. Their set had a good mix of the new and old tracks, and the crowd ate it up. The show did not go off without a hitch, there were a couple of technical gaffes, including the guitars completely cutting out for a section of "Wake Up Dead." Fortunately, they didn't become too obtrusive. Mustaine was an imposing figure standing at center stage ripping away on his guitar and singing. I have a new found respect for Mustaine, the music he plays is intricate and having to split focus between singing and playing is no easy task. The lights were flashing, the smoke was billowing out, the crowd was screaming, the music was loud, man it was a great time.
Set List:
Blackmail The Universe
Set The World Afire
Skin O' My Teeth
The Scorpion
Wake Up Dead
In My Darkest Hour
Die Dead Enough
She Wolf
Reckoning Day
A Toute Le Monde
Angry Again
Trust
Hangar 18
Sweating Bullets
Tornado Of Souls
Kick The Chair
Peace Sells
Symphony Of Destruction
Encore:
Holy Wars

Now for a few notes about the show. One thing that is a shame, is that the acoustics at the venue, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, are awful. It is like an echo chamber where sound goes to die, all it is good for is the open floor. It took a long while for the place to fill up, and it clearly did not sell out. It also cleared out pretty quick after Megadeth's set ended. I didn't look, but I think many left following Dream Theater. There was some crazy pit action going on during Fear Factory and even some during Dream Theater.

Overall, it was a fantastic night. It was the longest show I've ever been to, clocking in at near 7 hours of almost continuous music. I am so glad that I brought ear plugs! If you have the opportunity to see a stop off Gigantour, don't miss it!

You can see larger versions of the above pictures and more, HERE.

Also at Blogcritics.