Words and Photos by Jose Serrato
Megadeth brought their Destroy All Enemies tour to The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, TX for an unforgettable night for old and new North Texas metalheads. The Pavilion was completely open this night as they were expecting a huge crowd for the legendary metal band. This summer night was not just about the headliners. Main support, Mudvayne, and opening act, All That Remains, set the stage for a complete night of intense metal.
All That Remains kicked things off with a tight, energetic set that got the crowd going early. Frontman Phil Labonte brought an intensity that grabbed the crowd by the collar and made them match his energy. Their setlist included fan-favorites like “This Calling” and “Two Weeks,” and their sound was on point to get the crowd ready for the rest of the night.
Mudvayne have been making a huge comeback the past couple years and there’s no sign of them slowing down. I think I can speak for thousands of metal fans and say we’re here for it. The Peoria, Illinois boys kicked off their set with the track that started their career in 2000. The song “Dig” propelled the band to the top of the metal world and a perfect song to get the crowd on their feet with their metal horns in the air.
Like most metal bands from the past 30 years, Mudvayne had a connection to the DFW area through Arlington’s own Pantera. Vinnie Paul played drums in HELLYEAH with Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray up until his passing in 2018. Like most bands that roll through the DFW area, Gray said a few words about the Abbott brothers. Gray mentioned this is now the third Mudvayne show in a row that placed them in North Texas on Dimebag Darrell’s birthday and it’s no coincidence. Mudvayne crushed through a set that gave the fans songs like “Death Blooms,” “Internal Primates Forever” and “Happy?”
For the past 40 years, Megadeth have been busting eardrums across the world with 16 studio albums. As the only original member, Dave Mustaine has elevated his band to the top of the metal world and becoming part of the Big 4 along with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax. With two hard hitting acts before them, the crowd was primed and ready for the legendary band to hit the stage.
Megadeth opened their set with “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” and continued to hammer through classics like “Dread and the Fugitive Mind,” “Hanger 18,” and “Sweating Bullets.” Mustaine’s iconic snarls and commanding stage presence were in full force, electrifying the crowd. Highlights included “Symphony of Destruction,” which had the entire venue singing along, and the explosive closer “Holy Wars… The Punishment.” The blending of their classic thrash sound with newer material left all the metalheads fulfilled, but still wanting more. The precision and intensity has not faded in the past four decades.
