As someone born and raised on the north side of Chicago, I’d like to state for the record that I HATE driving out to Joliet. For those from outside the Chicagoland area, you probably best know Joliet as the town in which we first met Jake Blues of The Blues Brothers. That movie, by the way, is awesome. The drive out there from the city? Not so much. It’s only a little over an hour or so in good traffic (which never happens), but it feels like an eternity. But sometimes a show comes through that neck of the woods that I simply can’t deny, such as the one that came through last Thursday, Kings of Thrash.
Let’s look at the premise of this band, shall we? A band comprised of former Megadeth members playing not one, but two classic albums in one night. When you consider that both albums have been virtually ignored by a certain somebody who’s currently going out under the Megadeth moniker, the show becomes even more of a draw. Soon enough, an hour+ drive to the middle of nowhere becomes more appealing to a city boy such as myself. Comprised of bassist David Ellefson and guitarist Jeff Young (half of the So Far, So Good…So What! lineup) and newcomers Chaz Leon on guitars/vocals and Fred Aching on drums, Kings of Thrash are giving Megadeth fans the show of their dreams.
The evening began with the band performing Megadeth’s third opus, So Far, So Good…So What! In various banter leading up to the set, I can’t tell you how many fellow fans told me this was “their favorite” or “the best Megadeth album”. It really felt like vindication, because despite going platinum and receiving substantial MTV airplay, SFSG…SW! has gotten lost in the shuffle over time, sandwiched between Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying? and Rust in Peace. Tonight, it was back in the forefront, in all its vast, epic, “Megadeth is more than a thrash band” glory. For this album play, the band was remarkably tight, paying close attention to every little nuance.
Thrashing cuts like “Set the World Afire”, “Liar”, and “Hook in Mouth” raged harder than ever, while “Mary Jane” and “In My Darkest Hour” stood out as musical clinics, the latter causing the biggest singalong of the night. Corporate rock radio may have forgotten about this one, but the fans sure haven’t. During SFSG…SW!, I began to notice the musical traits of each band member. David Ellefson still holds down the rhythm remarkably, especially alongside Fred Aching whose drumming comes off as an amalgamation of Gar Samuelson and Nick Menza. Jeff Young can still lay down neck-snapping riffs and intricate Schenker-esque solos, while Chaz Leon’s vocal delivery captures the piss and vinegar of Dave Mustaine circa ’88.
As SFSG…SW! wrapped up, I couldn’t help but wonder how the second album of the night, Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!, would sound. While both efforts are regarded as classic Megadeth, both are sonic opposites. One prides itself on virtuosic musicianship, melodic sweeps, and pseudo-prog arrangements. The other doesn’t. If this band played tight for SFSG…SW!, they had to play loose for Killing. Could they pull it off? Well folks, as soon as the band exploded into the opening “Loved to Death”, my question was answered. Kings of Thrash can be a well oiled machine when they want to be, and switchover to a horde of savage barbarians when they NEED to be.
“Rattlehead”, “Skull Beneath the Skin”, “Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!”: Each song was delivered with unparalleled heaviness and speed, bludgeoning the unsuspecting audience with the power of 80s thrash at its most primal. Or perhaps the audience was suspecting, because by the time the band tore into this album, the pit doubled in size, spiraling out of control as maniacs of all ages thrashed in unison. Again, keep in mind that the idea of ever hearing these songs live, even just a few years ago, was nothing more than a dream. An encore consisting of a faithful cover of Riot’s “Swords and Tequila”, 90s classic “Train of Consequences”, and the immortal “Peace Sells” served as the icing on top of this thrash metal cake.
Kings of Thrash most certainly lived up their name and high expectations. If they wanted to, they could make an entire career off playing these thrashterpiece albums. However, don’t cast these veterans aside as a “legacy act”. With new music on the way, there’s no stopping this mega supergroup. And if this new music sounds anything like the old stuff (and something tells me it will), I’m gonna need a spare neck brace!
Setlist
- “Into the Lungs of Hell”
- “Set the World Afire”
- “Anarchy in the U.K.” (Sex Pistols cover)
- “Mary Jane”
- “502”
- “In My Darkest Hour”
- “Liar”
- “Hook in Mouth”
- “Last Rites” / “Loved to Death”
- “Skull Beneath the Skin”
- “Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!”
- “Looking Down the Cross”
- “Rattlehead”
- “Chosen Ones”
- “Mechanix”
- “These Boots” (Nancy Sinatra cover)
- “Swords and Tequila” (Riot cover)
- “Train of Consequences”
- “Peace Sells”