The 3Arena is the location of tonight’s event, the bill – Megadeth and Disturbed. Megadeth an American thrash metal juggernaut, one of the “Big Four” are infamous for their technical riffs, unwavering and intense rhythm and the snarl of the legend that is Mr Dave Mustaine.
Following his departure from Metallica, Mustaine formed Megadeth in 1983 and has gone on to sell over 50 million records worldwide and in a recent interview Mustaine disclosed that he has sold 40/50 million with the recordings he was involved in with Metallica. Megadeth have also won a Grammy Award and have multiple Platinum albums. Following his departure from Metallica, Mustaine created a legendary thrash band who I’ve had the pleasure of seeing live, numerous times over the years.
There is a lot of buzz amongst the Irish fans online excited to see Megadeth return to our shores ahead of the upcoming release of their new album – some fans surmise the album may be called “The End is Near”, due to the tag line on the official video, but this has yet to be confirmed. Recently it was announced the thrash Titans would also be special guests on Iron Maiden’s, “Run For Your Lives” World Tour in 2026. More recently, Megadeth have announced a final global Farewell Tour following the release of their newest opus. The current Megadeth line up consists of, Dave Mustaine (vocals, guitar), James LoMenzo (bass), Teemu Mantysaari (guitar), and Kirk Verbeuren (drums). LoMenzo has played in various bands over the years including White Lion and Black Label Society. Mantysaari has played in other bands such as Wintersun and Imperanon. Verbeuren has been a member of bands such as Soilwork and Aborted.
As we enter the 3Arena the energy and atmosphere is electric there is a real mix in age and gender which is always a great sight to behold. Megadeth t-shirts can be seen throughout the metal gathering. The queue at the Merch stall is thick with eager metal heads enthusiastically waiting to pick up items of their heroes. The chat and excitement is palpable and then the darkness descends the 3Arena and the intro to ‘Hangar 18’ explodes through the venue.
The crowd swells and roars of approval are deafening and then Mustaine starts to sing. All at once, we the rockers of Ireland are unified in mutual respect for not only Megadeth the band but especially Mr Dave Mustaine. The smiles on faces, the singing along word for word and overall sense of comradery was something else. Once we get over the initial shock that we are in the presence of one of the greatest thrash bands ever circle pits begin to open throughout the arena.
The lads then launch into ‘Skin o’ My Teeth’ The band are cohesive, smiling and moving about the stage in a coordinated fashion. The blazing guitar solos, the thumping bass and the pounding drums are literally metal music to our ears. Next up the searing ‘Dystopia’, Mustaine’s figure holds such reverence from the crowd and commands respect without demanding it.
He lets his musical prowess and persona do the talking. No thrills, bells and whistles just pure and unadulterated metal. ‘Sweating Bullets’ was the song of the night for me. I had Goosebumps listening to the crowd chant along with the band and then increase the decibels to shout “Sweating Bullets”. Verbeuren is a machine on the drums leading up to Mustaine’s solo which is methodical and precise – pure perfection.
The lads deliver ‘Trust’, and the metal-tastic new single ‘Tipping Point’ from the upcoming album – Mantysaari’s guitar intro and solo’s are exquisite. It’s a cracking tune and classic Megadeth. Mustaine was humble and also delighted when he saw how many fans were here to see the band for the first time. We sang along to ‘Tornado of Souls’, as if we ourselves were amalgamated with Megadeth. LoMenzo takes to the extended middle stage to play the infamous thundering bass intro to ‘Peace Sells’ and the circle pits go mental. Mustaine sings with such scorn and the crowd sing along with such force and exuberance.
Then as if it couldn’t get any better the incomparable Vic Rattlehead joins the lads on stage to rock out! In typical Irish fashion the crowd chant along to the melody whilst then singing aloud the chorus of ‘Symphony of Destruction’. The floor is bouncing as we sing along with such vigour. Prior to the final song of the night Mustaine attempts to address the ecstatic Irish crowd and is nearly deafened by shouts on “come on Dave” and “ole ole ole ole”. Dave thanks the crowd for the welcome reception especially to their new song Tipping Point.
Megadeth then launch into ‘Holy Wars… The Punishment Due’, the 3Arena’s foundations must be shaking with the sheer level of high energy and moshing right now. Mustaine introduces the members of Megadeth prior to the song ending and brings LoMenzo and Mantysaari alongside him to play the end of the song unified and united.
The final cheers are ear-splitting and more than deserved. We do not take gigs like this for granted, seeing the absolute legend that is Dave Mustaine, with 42 years of bringing metal to the masses, the only thing that stops this ‘Foreclosure of a Dream’ is that we know we get a chance to see Dave and the lads Headline a final farewell tour next year and we cannot wait!!
Disturbed originated in Chicago in 1994 and ‘The Sickness’ wasthe band’s debut studio album which was released 25yrs ago in March 2000. The band consist of David Draiman (vocals) Dan Donegan (guitar) Irish connection Mike Wengren, (drums), Jon Moyer (bass). ‘The Sickness’ was a commercial success on release and Disturbed continued with great success with the following ‘Believe’, ‘Thousand Fists’ ‘Indestructible’ and ‘Asylum’ studio albums all charting at Number 1 on the Billboard charts.
The lads have eight studio albums under their belts with 17 million records sold and The Sickness has earned 5xPlatinum status for its sales alone. As we await the arrival of tonight’s Headliners Disturbed, Huey Lewis and the News ‘Back in Time’ rings throughout the venue.
Then a video projected onto the stage front curtain with a ticking clock, a maniacal face and soundbites begins. The crowd get into position eagerly awaiting the band to take stage. The screen turns white and we can see the band silhouettes behind the screen. When the curtain is risen we can see a huge metal installation with strategically placed led lights and columns. The floor of the stage is filled with dry ice and the lads have assumed their positions with Draiman wearing the instantly recognisable black overalls with the letters DOC on the back.
The lad’s immediately launch into the opening track ‘Voices’ from ‘The Sickness’ album. The thumping bass of Moyer reverberates through the Arena and the lads bound around the stage with Moyer, Donegan and Draiman making great use of the middle centre stage.
‘Stupify’ was a huge hit from the album and the band’s first single and was also featured in a number of movies. The energy is electric as Moyer and Donegan spin and jump about clearly caught up in the moment of playing live and loving what they do.
Clearly yet another fan favourite the metal heads are ecstatic when they hear the opening drum beats of ‘Down with the Sickness’. The audience enthusiastically sing “…demon in me” when prompted by Draiman and the lads. The lads are centre stage entertaining all areas of the crowd and the light installations and pyrotechnics are breath-taking. The circle pits are in full flow throughout the venue.
Draiman addresses the crowd asking “Does it feel like it’s been that long to you” – laughs saying “me too kinda, my body more than my mind I think. Gather yourselves now and join me in primal scream therapy”. The triangle rings throughout the arena then band erupt in to ‘Shout’ (Tears for Fears cover) Moyer joins Wengren at the drum kit to rock out to this classic tune. Prior to the final track of the album ‘Meaning of Life’, an Electric Chair is brought out whilst the stage is in darkness.
Draiman is led out onto the stage in a theatrical manner and secured to the chair with a booming voiceover of “Dead Man Walking” – and Draiman’s crimes against society are read out. Following an electrocution scene, a flat line in green light displays on the back screen, this then changes to a heartbeat and as the music launches the other lads reappear in orange jumpsuits and we see Draiman get out of the chair – head splattered in blood and climb onto the chair to perform ‘Meaning of Life’. The crowd join Draiman in raising their fists into the air as the final song of the album rocks the arena.
The curtain drops and projected onto the screen is a message explaining that there will be a short 25min interval. During this break a montage video of Disturbed both in the studio, snippets of interviews and live footage over the years are on display. This serves as a great distraction as the lads are getting set up for the second Act for those of us who decide to not frequent the bar.
The second Act commenced with ‘I Will Not Break’, and ‘Ten Thousand Fists’, during which the audience thrust their fists up into the air as bolts of fire flew up into the air. Up next, ‘Bad Man’ which was the single released from 2022’s eighth studio album ‘Divisive’. An impressive inflatable demon from the album cover nearly enveloped the stage and the strategically placed lights and pyrotechnics were not affected – in fact they were ramped up to 11! Donegan’s riffs and solo were sizzling on this track. The second cover of the night was ‘Land Of Confusion’ (Genesis) Disturbed are great at recreating classic tunes from various genres. It was remarkable to hear thousands of rockers sing along in melody to “This is the world we live in …Woah”.
The warning siren echoes through the arena as the lads unveil ‘Indestructible’ – Donegan again dazzles with his riffs and solo. The stage crew are busy again setting up for the next track. A beautiful piano and two Timpani drums appear on the stage alongside a number of orchestra members. This could surely mean only one thing … now it’s time for ‘Sound Of Silence’. The atmosphere was highly emotive as Disturbed provided a stunning ambience only proper for this timeless melody. During the crescendo of the song Wengren passionately played the kettle drums as the piano lid continued to exhibited flames – there was clearly no expense spared on this set. Prior to ‘The Light’, Draiman talked about Donegan’s Irish heritage and encouraged the fans to use their torches during the chorus – the arena lit up with arms waving the illuminated mobiles in unison.
Final track of the evening is the anthemic ‘Inside The Fire’, the techno intro and exhilarating pyrotechnics and lights literally light up the 3arena. The crowd mustered their final energy reserves to rock out to the final track of the night and Moyer stomps about the stage never missing a beat whilst Donegan shreds like his life depends on it much to our delight.
As the song ends Draiman introduces the band and asks that “say our name with us now – We are Disturbed – We all are Disturbed”. As the second Act comes to an end the band take a picture with the crowd to capture the unity we all shared. As we file out into the cold Dublin streets the outro playing is ‘Ring of Fire’ by the renowned Jonny Cash which is fitting considering the amount of Pyrotechnics expelled throughout the set. We sing along happy and content – What a powerful night of Metal.
Photography by Eamonn Smyth for MPM
