99 Ways To 'Deth

MANILA, Philippines - The heavy metal faithful have been waiting for decades and holding their breath in excitement as thrash metal legends Megadeth arrive and deliver symphonies of destruction via a nearly two-hour spectacle tomorrow, July 29, at the World Trade Center Hall D in Pasay City.

Expect chugging guitar riffs, anthemic choruses, hyper-sped drumbeats and basically, two decades-worth of heavy metal classics for Filipino fans. There is no louder or more eagerly awaited event this 2012 than this one.

 Formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, by guitarist/chief songwriter Dave Mustaine, Megadeth is considered as one of the pioneering bands of the American Thrash Metal movement worldwide. It was part of the so-called “Big Four” with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, responsible for creating and popularizing the genre, and influencing countless bands in their wake. Combining their formative influences from British Heavy Metal with the street-smart lyrical and physical toughness of punk and hardcore, thrash metal musicians developed and refined by the genre through technical virtuosity and aggression, mainly as a direct reaction to the then-fledgling glam rock scene of the decade. 

For most fans of thrash metal, Megadeth was — and still is — the finest and most technically proficient of the four. Mustaine is credited as one of the best guitar players in the genre, having also influenced the playing styles of the guitarists of Slayer and Metallica. He has contributed tricks and styles of playing exclusive to the genre like heavily palm-muted riffs, the effective use of the tritone and chromatic passages in both the rhythm and lead guitar work, and of course, “the spider chord,” a playing style which enabled rhythm guitarists to shift cleanly from one power chord to another, without the squeaks and noise. Ask any serious guitar player and he or she will readily declare Mustaine is among the greats.

Mustaine has also worked with an impressive roster of musicians through the years — the late Dimebag Darrell (of Pantera and Damageplan) and Kerry King of Slayer, guitarists Chris Poland, Marty Friedman and Al Pitrelli, as well as drummers Nick Menza and Vinnie Colaiuta. Already considered legends, each of the musicians’ “time in ‘Deth” brought a unique character to the band, especially the lead guitar players as opposed to original guitarist Chris Poland’s sharply-toned lead guitar breaks.

A lot of Megadeth fans will agree that during Friedman’s tenure — his addition of exotic scales and unorthodox lead phrasing coupled with Mustaine’s mastery of thrash metal guitar — it was the best years of the group. That it was when Megadeth’s quest for world domination had been achieved.

Surprisingly, no line-up change nor musical trends could stop or slow down the juggernaut that was Megadeth. Even after the departure of key members Friedman and drummer Menza, the band continued on releasing soon-to-be classic material, churning out single-after-single into the millennium, including Moto Psycho (from 2001’s The World Needs A Hero), Die Dead Enough (2004’s The System Has Failed) and Washington Is Next (2007’s United Abominations.) Sure, live audiences wanted the hits like Symphony of Destruction, Hangar 18 and Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying, but vintage fans couldn’t deny that the newer singles were just as relentless and still influencing newer generations of “’Deth Heads.”

Currently, Megadeth’s roster can be considered as a heavy metal super group of sorts, as original bassist Dave Ellefson, drummer Shawn Drover and guitarist extraordinaire Chris Broderick have proven themselves to be the most potent line-up yet, as evident on the last two Megadeth albums, 2009’s Endgame and 2011’s Thirteen.

Megadeth is the band no serious listener will want to miss, and no self-respecting metal-head can do without. Tickets are available at all SM Tickets outlets.

Meanwhile, co-presenter Colt 45 gives lucky fans the chance to slash P1,000 off Mega–GOLDEN-deth ticket holders. After collecting 10 crowns of Colt 45 Beer, fans only need to bring them to SM Tickets branches at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall or SM North Edsa, and can demand for a P1,000 off of their Gold Ticket purchase.

JB Music also has its own special promo that will enable a lucky few to watch Megadeth live for free. Any purchase of a Dean Guitar (the brand exclusively used by Dave Mustaine) or a Jackson guitar will entitle any buyer who brings his receipt to JB Music’s main office (located at 1906-1909 Prestige Tower, Emerald Ave., Ortigas, Pasig City, between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to a free pass.