Two heavy metal bands took fans on a deadly trip of destruction, frustration and paranoia Saturday night. All was well.
At 7:30 p.m. sharp, Suicidal Tendencies took to the stage and prepared the crowd of 10,000 for the killer show with a holocaust of tunes like "Church of Suicide," "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today" and "Nobody Hears."Bassist Robert Trujillo ripped out furious bass lines while drummer Jimmy DeGrasso and guitarists Rocky George and Mike Clark assaulted the crowd with speedy chords and stylized solos. Lead singer "Cyco" Mike Muir, suffering from a head cold, introduced each song with raging monologues filled with paranoia and frustration - a showman to the end.
"Rational thoughts get you nowhere," Muir screamed as the band launched into "Monopoly of Sorrow," a song of neurotic depression from the album "Art Of Rebellion."
Clark stood motionless as his fingers flew up and down his fret board during each solo. Fans shook their fists and cheered in approval. They were ready for the deadly set from Megadeth.
When the house lights dimmed, stage lights revealed a jail cell. Megadeth strutted on stage and plowed through a pile of songs like "By the Skin of My Teeth," "Tornado Assault" and "Countdown to Extinction."
Bassist David Ellefson and drummer Nick Menza threw out steady, driving beats as guitarist Marty Friedman and lead singer/
guitarist Dave Mustaine took turns gunning down the front row with lethal leads and growling vocals.
Synchronized head banging, tight pauses and Mustaine's arrogant, standing slouch added to the complex arrangements of other hits like "Ashes In Your Mouth" and "Sweating Bullets."
Fluorescent lightning bolts, peace signs and strobes lashed out at the audience and highlighted Mustaine's cynical lyrics.
The band eased its attack as Mustaine brushed his blonde mane of hair back over his shoulders and introduced the band's trademark, "In My Darkest Hour." Megadeth blasted through two encores that included "Symphony of Destruction," "Peace Sells, But Who's Buying" and a remake of the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K."
The lethal combination of Suicidal Tendencies and Megadeth brought the crowd to its feet and had it screaming for more. It was a show not many will forget.