PREMIERE! HDNet TV Concert Series: Sunday, November 2nd 8:00 PM ET - Megadeth "Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego" - "Pioneers of the American thrash metal genre, Megadeth has become one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all time. Watch as they perform to a raucous hometown crowd at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California on the 2008 Gigantour tour. Dave Mustaine and Megadeth push the limit, playing faster and heavier than ever in the ultimate Megadeth experience." Repeats Mon., Nov. 3rd 2:30 AM ET. MORE
Preview "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" from the "Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego" concert HERE
Megadeth will tour as special guests to Judas Priest on the "Priest Feast" tour of the UK this coming Feb 2009 with Testament opening the show. UK shows from Feb 13 - 21 are now announced on the Killing Road page. Pre-sales go on sale at 9 AM UK Time Wednesday, Oct 1st to all MegaFanClub members and registered Live Nation members. Public on sales go on sale this Friday, Oct 3rd at 9 AM UK Time. [MORE]
SPECIAL 2-DISC SET! Megadeth leads the charge in this relentless heavy metal onslaught! The fast and furious Gigantour is the ultimate hard-rocking force. Captured here the top bands from the 2005 tour show why this was the best metal bill of the year PLUS you get into all the offstage action in a special bonus disc! Featuring songs by Megadeth ("She Wolf," "A Tout le Monde," "Kick the Chair"), Dream Theater ("Glass Prison," "Panic Attack") and much more!! Buy it at a new low price [HERE]
A review of the Gigantour 2 DVD has been posted in the 'Heavy Metal Addiction' section at wordpress.com: "Audio and visual are professionally well done, the band’s are all in top form, and the performances are brutal, headbanging, and amazing. Some of the bands on the tour I was only a casual fan of (Arch Enemy, Opeth, Lamb Of God) but now I will pay a lot more attention to them. Into Eternity and Overkill were already bands I enjoyed but seeing a bit of live stuff has me looking forward to their next tours. Megadeth never disappoints... ..I’ve seen them live many times and they always put in a solid show. If you want to see some different bands, some heavy bands, some bands that are huge in the Metal scene then go pick up Gigantour 2 DVD." [MORE]
Todd Newton for BigMusicGeek.com has posted this review of the 'Gigantour 2' DVD: "...I know what you’re probably thinking. So what does all of this really prove? Quite a lot, actually. With the tour’s latest Platinum-encrusted incarnation now easily surpassing the once-mighty Ozzfest as the perennial Summer Heavy Metal tour de force, the majority--if not all--of the decidedly ferocious wares contained herein effectively serve as an idealistic multimedia showcase for what can only be described as some of the genre’s most undeniably entertaining (and in the case of Megadeth and Overkill enduring) acts." [MORE]
Full Metal Jackie of Metal Edge TV recently conducted an interview with Dave Mustaine. Dave talks about Gigantour, the bands of Gigantour, The Live Line, playing Dean guitars, and more! Watch the chat in two parts [HERE]
Amy Ebersole for The Daily Aztec has posted a review of Gigantour in San Diego this past Tuesday (May 20): "An ensemble of tattooed, black T-shirted fans flooded into Cox Arena for the fourth annual Gigantour headed by the pioneers of thrash metal, Megadeth. ...Lights, camera, action - the DVD filming was a placebo for energy as ecstatic fans threw up hand horns while the camera probed the audience and a vivacious anthill of swarming, sweaty bodies in the mosh pit." [HERE]
A consistent innovator in music and technology, Dave Mustaine will be the first musician to utilize a fan-centric video widget to keep in touch with fans while on the road. Fans are able to video message directly with the band online, and with their cell phones - creating a highly personalized experience. Each week of five will offer a different theme of interactions including one week where bands can upload videos of their own renditions of their favorite Megadeth songs for comments and critiques! To get started, register [HERE]
Larry Rodgers for The Airzona Republic reports: "Dave Mustaine, front man of the '80s-spawned metal band Megadeth, spent a decade in Scottsdale before moving his family to his native San Diego. Despite making a move that many Arizonans would envy as temperatures rise, Mustaine says he occasionally longs for the desert." Read the entire article [HERE]
One lucky winner will receive flights and accommodations to attend the Dave Mustaine - Guitar Center Sessions in Los Angeles, plus a signed Dave Mustaine signature series DEAN guitar and a chance to win a private guitar lesson with Dave Mustaine. All you have to do is enter right [HERE]
Metal Injection conducted an interview with Chris Broderick at the Megadeth's Worcester stop of the Gigantour. Chris talked in depth about the time he got the call to join Megadeth, some of his favorite Megadeth songs, his early influences and guitar playing as well as some of the bands he listens to when on the road. Watch the video [HERE]
An audio interview with Dave Mustaine conducted by Eddie Trunk for the Trunk Report from April, previous to Gigantour kicking off in North America is available online. Dave talks about the diversity of Gigantour, Chris Broderick joining the band, the name "Gigantour", Led Zeppelin, and more! Check out the streaming audio [HERE]
Megadeth is working with the non-partisan organization HeadCount to register voters and encourage political participation among people of all ages. To volunteer for HeadCount and help staff voter registration booths at concerts (on the Megadeth tour or for other bands), or to register to vote, visit www.headcount.org. HeadCount has set a goal of registering 100,000 voters in 2008, ensuring that people from all walks of life are represented at the polls. Megadeth is proud to be among many artists supporting this important cause. [MORE]
Rob Williams for Canada.com recently conducted an interview with Dave Mustaine: "Dave Mustaine is one of music's most opinionated political critics/animals. Over the course of 25 years as leader of thrash metal outfit Megadeth, the outspoken Californian has taken aim at everything from religious fundamentalism to globalization to America's national and foreign policies." [MORE]
Listen all weekend long for your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Gigantour featuring Megadeth on Tuesday, May 20th at Cox Arena. One lucky grand prize winner will get to have "breakfast" with some of the bands and 9 of their closest friends at 4pm the day of the show. PLUS, they'll win a guitar autographed by Dave Mustaine! It's the Gigantour weekend from Rock 105.3, USA Discounters and Cricket Wireless! [MORE]
When Gothenburg, Sweden melodic death metal pioneers In Flames came to New York as part of Gigantour 2008, Guitar World's MetalKult had a chance to sit down with guitarists Björn Gelotte and Jesper Strömblad for an exclusive riff lesson. Over the next two weeks MetalKult will be airing six lessons in which the pair demonstrate how to play a selection of new and classic tracks from In Flames' nine-album catalog. View part one [HERE]
Mike Ross for the Edmonton Sun has posted a review about Gigantour in Edmonton last night (May 12): "...Instead, it was wholesome, empowering, healthy heavy metal music served up to 4,500 black T-shirt-clad metalheads, though it was still loud and contained many, many utterances of the word "motherf---er." Supported by four furious metal bands - Children of Bodom, In Flames, High on Fire and Job for a Cowboy - Gigantour was just as intense a show as any concert by any of the heathen atheist rockers, if there are any left. Topping a long night of metal, Megadeth came out all guns a-blazing and didn't let up." [MORE]
David Schmeichel for the Winnipeg Sun has posted a review about Gigantour in Winnipeg this past Saturday night (May 10): "Let's have a round of goat-horn salutes for Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine, whose show at the Convention Centre Saturday night was a master-course in rock 'n' roll economy. Playing Winnipeg for the second time in just over a year, Mustaine and Megadeth proved you don't need flashy stage setups, pyrotechnics or even a venue with halfway decent acoustics to send thousands of metal fans home happy -- just a catalogue of proven winners, a couple new cuts for the kids, and one of the genre's most accomplished guitarists working the strings from centre stage." [MORE]
Francois Marchand for the Edmonton Journal recently conducted an interview with Dave Mustaine. "Gigantour, which started in the summer of 2005, has quickly become Mustaine's way to bring new bands into the spotlight. "The only way I could see that I could do something with any credibility was to use the experience and the help and the strength that I've acquired and accumulated along the way and pass that on to some of the younger bands," he says." [MORE]
Chat live with Chris Broderick today, Saturday, May 10 at 7:00 PM Central Time/00:00 GMT (May 11th) at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. Don't miss this one! The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
Dave Mustaine opens up to Iann Robinson of Nonelouder.com in an exclusive 10 minute video interview. "Nonelouder is proud to present an in depth interview with one of the most influential people in the heavy music world. Check out Dave's opinion on digital music, modern bands, politics, how to write songs and much-much more." Watch the interview [HERE]
Chat live with drummer Jon Rice of Job For A Cowboy today, May 9 at 5:00 PM Central Time/22:00 GMT at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
Dave Mustaine answered questions from the hosts and fans live in studio during an appearance on the April 29, 2008 edition of MusiquePlus' "Plus Sur Commande" in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Watch the 10-minute clip [HERE]
Dave Mustaine will call in to KCAL's "The Moshpit" this Saturday night, May 10 at 10PM PDT to chat with host Mike Z. about Gigantour's upcoming May 21 So Cal appearance, hockey, new guitarist Chris Broderick, and other metallic topics. Listeners in Riverside/San Bernadino, California can tune into 96.7 FM on their dials. Others can stream live at kcalfm.com
Eden Munro of Vue Weekly recently conducted an interview with Dave Mustaine. "It’s not hard to believe that Mustaine is more than willing to speak his mind when he has something to say-during our conversation, he riffs more in 15 minutes than many people do in 45, covering plenty of topics along the way. Still, as pointed as his statement might sound, he hasn’t kept Megadeth alive for the last 25 years by firing off random attacks on people." [MORE]
CBuckshot of Woozyfly.com's show called Buckshot's Bonanza conducted an interview last week with bassist James LoMenzo. James discussed Megadeth's schedule and told stories about the first couple of weeks of the Gigantour, the difference between playing in Megadeth and Black Label Society, working with Dave Mustaine and Zakk Wylde, writing new jams on the tour bus and the new LoMenzo Hyper Drive disortion pedal coming out in June. Watch the nine-minute interview [HERE]
Chat live with bassist Henkka Blacksmith of Children Of Bodom Today, May 7 at 5:00 PM Central Time/22:00 GMT at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
John Soeder for Ceveland.com recently conducted an interview with Dave Mustaine: "Dave Mustaine, who started Megadeth after leaving Metallica 25 years ago, had a scare in 2002 when an injured nerve in his arm left him unable to play guitar. Now fully recovered, Mustaine and his revamped thrash-metal group are headlining Gigantour's third North American trek, including a stop Sunday at the Time Warner Cable Amphitheater in Cleveland. The Megadeth frontman checked in from the road last week for a phone interview." [MORE]
Swedish metallers In Flames have posted behind-the-scenes footage from this year's Gigantour. Watch the one-minute clip [HERE]
Chat live with drummer Jon Rice of Job For A Cowboy Friday, May 9 at 5:00 PM Central Time/22:00 GMT at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
Ben Ratliff for The New York Times recently posted a review of Gigantour at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. "Dave Mustaine, the guitarist, singer and leader of the metal band Megadeth, has written a lot of songs with two guitars in mind, and he’s been through 10 or so other guitarists during the band’s 25 years. The newest, Chris Broderick, formerly of Jag Panzer and Nevermore, is on tour with the band for the third installment of Gigantour, the no-nonsense, five-band metal caravan with Megadeth as the headline act [MORE]
Chat live with bassist Henkka Blacksmith of Children Of Bodom Wednesday, May 7 at 5:00 PM Central Time/22:00 GMT at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
Melanie (Sass) Falina for UnratedMagazine.com recently conducted in interview with James LoMenzo. "It's been a long and winding road for rock bassist James Lomenzo. Having gained his first substantial recognition in the 1980's with the band White Lion, he's since worked with an array of colorful and extreme musicians -- people like Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, Slash, and David Lee Roth. In 2006 Lomenzo's rock and roll journey led him to thrash-masters Megadeth; and now almost two years later he still couldn't be happier." Read the interview [HERE]
Shawn Drover has told The Flint Journal that giving younger bands the opportunity to open for his act is one of Gigantour's goals. "It's cool, too, because my ear is really low to the ground in terms of metal bands, young bands, new bands, older bands, whatever," Shawn said in an interview with The Flint Journal. [MORE]
In response to sports writer Mike Wise's column in the Washington Post about the fans of the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team that read "women and children could be security for Megadeth," well-known hockey enthusiast Dave Mustaine and the rest of the band sent a couple of videotaped messages of support. Watch the clips [HERE]
Chat live with guitarist Ravi Bhadriraju of Job For A Cowboy today, Thursday May 1 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time/20:00 GMT at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
Shawn Drover was one of the featured guests on CHOM 97.7 FM's "The Metal File" with Mike Metal this past Friday night, April 25. Shawn talks about the current success of Gigantour across North America and more! You can now listen to the interview in streaming audio [HERE]
In response to a Washington Post column about the Philadelphia Flyers fans that read "women and children could be security for Megadeth," Dave Mustaine sent a videotaped message of support wearing a jersey of the Flyers captain, Jason Smith. Megadeth and the Philadelphia Flyers have joined up to give fans of both the team and the band a special playoff treat - a free downloadable iron-on so you can make your own Megadeth Security shirts. The Flyers continue their playoff run on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadians.
To craft your very own Megadeth Security T-shirt at home, CLICK HERE for the print out. Flyers fans and Megadeth fans alike - wear it proud!
Dave Mustaine is appearing on the live to air television show at MusiquePlus in Montreal called "Plus Sur Commande" tomorrow, Tuesday, April 29th, which is broadcast from 5:00-6:00pm (EST) daily. Fans are welcome to attend and need to arrive at the MusiquePlus studios at 4:50pm (EST) to be allowed in. Dave will be live in studio at 5:30-6:00pm (EST) answering questions from the hosts and the studio audience. All requests from fans to be in attendance can send an email to: publicpsc@musiqueplus.com. The MusiquePlus studios are located at: 355 Sainte Catherine St. Ouest Montreal,QC.
Shawn Drover checks in today from Quebec City: "Crossing the border yesterday into Quebec, I could not help but to have a big smile on my face - Coming back home to Canada is always a thrill for me, but this time even more so, probably for several reasons, but I just dig the overall vibe here in my homeland - something that I miss more with each passing year. (And the Pizza in Montreal RULES!!!!!!!) ...Tonight is the start of 4 Canadian shows here in Quebec City - for those of you who may not know this, the Province of Quebec is insane for metal, which makes me all the more excited to play for them" [MORE]
The 10th annual New England Metal and Hardcore Festival began Friday (April 25), as Gigantour partnered with the homegrown festival. According to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the multi-band package created by Dave Mustaine was supposed to be in Worcester on another date, but all agreed it made sense to bring the metal together. Gigantour kicks off the Canadian leg of the North America trek tomorrow night in Quebec City. Tour detalis are [HERE]
Chat live with Shawn Drover today, Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 PM Eastern Time/22:30 GMT at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
Jeff Kerby of KNAC.COM recently conducted an interview with Dave Mustaine. "While discussions about Mustaine’s personality and demeanor rage on, what really isn’t up for debate is Dave’s production over the last several years. During this time, Megadeth has released albums, DVD’s and even created and headlined Gigantour numerous times. The fact is that whether you love him or hate him, it would be difficult for anyone not to acknowledge the scarcity of individuals in rock who possess Mustaine’s presence and tenacity--he seemingly creates a reaction wherever he goes in whatever he does. Face it, despite the rough edges; the rock world would be a lot less eventful without him in it..." Read the interview [HERE]
Chat live with James LoMenzo tomorrow, Thursday, April 24 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time/22:00 GMT at the Gigantour chat room! The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. Also take note that there will be a chat with Shawn Drover this coming Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 EasternTime/22:30 GMT! Don't miss these chats from the guys out on Gigantour! The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
The 'GIGANTOUR 2' DVD and CD officially hits the stores today! "GIGANTOUR 2 features over an hour of blistering performances by iconic and influential heavy metal pioneers MEGADETH--who have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide in a career now spanning 25 years--along with Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, The Smashup, and Into Eternity. Recorded in DTS 5.1 surround sound, the DVD version also features a behind the scenes look at the 2006 tour, while both the DVD and CD offer a hidden bonus track--MEGADETH's ever-relevant "Peace Sells."" Pick yours up today or buy it online [HERE]
Anders Friden of In Flames has posted an update from Atlanta, GA: "Just wanted to check in and let you know Gigantour has been a lot of fun so far. Great shows, and it has been nice to meet several of you coming out to the show. Want to give special thanks again to Megadeth for the hospitality, especially last night in Louisville, KY." MORE
"Sick and tired of tired of never winning swag from your favorite artists and groups? Look no further! Image Entertainment and www.BigMusicGeek.com, Your Online Music Authority, want to give you the chance to win a freakin’ sweet Gigantour 2 CD. That’s right! Five lucky headbangers (i.e. hopefully you) will win over an hour of blistering performances by iconic and influential Heavy Metal pioneers Megadeth along with a full-throttle barrage of sweat-soaked tracks from Anthrax, Arch Enemy, Into Eternity, Lamb Of God, Opeth, Overkill, and The Smashup." Enter to win [HERE]
The ENTIRE band will be chatting with Jesterhead Colonists exclusively on Monday, April 21st at 3:00pm EST. They will be checking in with the Colony to talk about Gigantour, and anything else you may want to ask them. Don't miss this opportunity to catch up with ALL of IN FLAMES! You must be an active Jesterhead Colonist to participate in the chat. Join the Colony now! [HERE]
Michael Alan Goldberg has published this article for HoustonPress.com: "Out on the road with the Gigantour, Oakland metal behemoth High on Fire - singer-guitarist Matt Pike, drummer Des Kensel and bassist Jeff Matz - continue to melt faces with songs from their latest disc, Death Is This Communion. On the phone two days before the tour launch, the affable Kensel noted when asked if he typically reads reviews of his band's albums, "I'll be the first to admit I have a short attention span - that's probably why I play drums," but was more than game to review some Communion reviews" [MORE]
Jerry Rojas for BlogCritics.org has published a review of Gigantour at the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas: "Overall: I completely agree with my friend in that if you call yourself a fan of heavy metal, you should mark this show as a must-see. This is a great lineup that is stripped of the unnecessary side shows and brings plenty of metal goodness." [MORE]
Dave Mustaine called in during the Cindy Scull and Robert Miguel morning show on Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas' 93.3 The Bone to promote his Gigantour stop at the Nokia Theater. Dave dispelled rumors that he was diagnosed with over 50 varieties of parasites and worms by his doctor (the story was originally reported in December of 2007 by the Associated Press), and he weighed in on his recent divorce, the trials of parenting, and stock trading. Hear the entire interview on Cindy and Robert's MySpace page [HERE]
Megadeth is working with the non-partisan organization HeadCount to register voters and encourage political participation among people of all ages. To volunteer for HeadCount and help staff voter registration booths at concerts (on the Megadeth tour or for other bands), or to register to vote, visit www.headcount.org. HeadCount has set a goal of registering 100,000 voters in 2008, ensuring that people from all walks of life are represented at the polls. Megadeth is proud to be among many artists supporting this important cause. Read more [HERE]
Simon McCormack of Albuquerque's Alibi.com recently conducted an interview with James LoMenzo. "By the time Megadeth bassist James Lomenzo joined the band’s lineup in 2006, he’d built a 30-year career of rock with artists like David Lee Roth and bands like White Lion and Black Label Society. "I’ve played with pretty much everybody, so there’s not much that’s gonna scare me," Lomenzo asserts" Lomenzo talked with the Alibi about Megadeth’s place in history, what bands have caught his ear lately and how he makes sure his rock ’n’ roll flame stays lit. [HERE]
The third installment of the North American Gigantour officially launched last night (Saturday, April 12) in Denver, Colorado with headliner Megadeth, Swedish metal band In Flames, Finland's Children Of Bodom, Arizona's modern extreme act Job For A Cowboy and Oakland, CA heavy power trio High On Fire. The 29-date trek will criss-cross North America and is scheduled to wrap May 22 in Phoenix, Arizona. Tour details and tickets are [HERE]
James LoMenzo has posted an update on the Megadeth Forums: "As for Megadeth? We've just finished doing a few days, setting up the production here at the Fillmore in Colorado and everything is humming (in a good way). The staff here at the Filmore has been really great to out crew and ourselves (many thanks) and the band is of course is completely stoked. We're really excited to be coming back with Gigantour again and for you American and Canadian fans, to finally check out our good friend Chris Broderick as our newest addition to the Megadeth lineup. You've already heard and read about it so come on out and check him out on this tour... great guitar player!" [MORE]
Dave Mustaine recently spoke to Mitchell Peters for Billboard.biz about launching Gigantour, the benefit of a package tour, dealing with hecklers and Megadeth's future album plans. About picking bands for Gigantour, Dave explains: "I don't necessarily always locate them, but when it comes down to the final approval, that's mine ... Our ultimate goal was to have bands that have guitar players in them that were guitarists that do solos. So we got this together and we wanted it to be a guitar player's festival -- positive and encouraging for kids to go to so they're safe. Their mom's aren't going to say, "You know what? This isn't cool for you to go to. You have to wait until you're older." Any age can come to these concerts." [MORE]
Daniel Svensson from In Flames was interviewed for this week's "Tinitus" radio show, airing tonight (Wednesday, April 9) between 20.00 CET (8:00 p.m.) and 22.00 CET (10:00 p.m.) on Norway's P3. "Tinitus" is Norway's most popular metal show with an average of over 60,000 listeners per week (1.5 percent of the country's population!). To tune into P3 via the Internet, follow the instructions that are posted on the "Tinitus" MySpace page [HERE]
Win the ultimate Gigantour 2008 experience "Dinner with Dave Mustaine". The Canadian branch of Roadrunner Records is offering fans an opportunity to win a dinner with Dave as a grand prize which will include tickets to the show, autographed swag and more! Runner up prizes are also up for grabs. Enter the contest [MORE]
Chad Bowar of About Heavy Metal recently conducted an interview with In Flames guitarist Björn Gelotte. About Gigantour: "Yes, we're really looking forward to it. Two of the bands we've never toured with, Job For A Cowboy and High On Fire. Children Of Bodom we've toured with several times and know those guys really well. Megadeth has had some highly influential albums for me guitar-wise. Some of their songs are as good as it's ever going to get. It's going to be a great tour." [MORE]
Check out Dave Mustaine's wide-reaching and hard-hitting interview on JamBase.com. Dennis Cook for JamBase writes: "Patriot, epic shredder, cultural commentator and balls-to-the-wall rocker, Dave Mustaine, the man behind the quarter century and counting metal institution Megadeth, is all these things and a good deal more. While some folks talk about freedom, Mustaine hammers away at it in a way that'd make the founding fathers grin. Like his music or not, there's something undeniably and wonderfully American about Mustaine. He speaks his mind, often coming at things from a place of deep compassion, but also never giving a flying damn if what he says puts your panties in a twist." [HERE]
"Sick and tired of tired of never winning swag from your favorite artists and groups? Look no further! Image Entertainment and www.BigMusicGeek.com, Your Online Music Authority, want to give you the chance to win a freakin’ sweet Gigantour 2 CD. That’s right! Five lucky headbangers (i.e. hopefully you) will win over an hour of blistering performances by iconic and influential Heavy Metal pioneers Megadeth along with a full-throttle barrage of sweat-soaked tracks from Anthrax, Arch Enemy, Into Eternity, Lamb Of God, Opeth, Overkill, and The Smashup." Enter to win [HERE]
Add another Canadian city to the list of dates sold out on the Gigantour 2008 North American tour! Calgary, Alberta is now officially sold out. Tickets are selling steadily on the entire tour and if you haven't already, it is suggested that you pick up your tickets now before the next show sells out! You do not want to miss out on seeing Megadeth, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy, and High On Fire live together at Gigantour 2008! Tickets and details are [HERE]
In Flames will release their ninth studio album before hitting the road with Gigantour. Their new album, A Sense Of Purpose, is slated for an April 1 release through KOCH Records. All 12 tracks can currently be heard on their MySpace. [HERE]
Be sure to catch Dave Mustaine on "Dave Navarro’s SpreadTV" on April 10th for a brand new Season 3. Don’t miss these two guitarist legends on stage together for the very first time! The show will have Dave on for a full hour; 1/2 interview and 1/2 Dave giving Navarro a guitar lesson. An interesting tidbit is that Dave's guitars had not yet made it back from tour in Europe, so at the last minute, Chad Bardon from Mania TV was able to get Gary Harrison, a Dean Distrubtor from Long Beach, to drive up a guitar for Dave to use to give Navarro a lesson! Several photos from the taping have been posted in the Megadeth Gallery. Check the photos out [HERE]
The Official Megadeth Ebay store has reopened! Improvements have been made to the store and Megadeth items are now up on the auction block! This is the official eBay outlet for Megadeth and Dave Mustaine, Shawn Drover, James LoMenzo, and soon to debut, Chris Broderick memorbelia merchandise. Here you will find rare autographed merchandise, collectibles, recordings, artwork, gear, and items used by Megadeth. The store is located [HERE]
The first Gigantour show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, NY is now sold out! Tickets are still available for the 2nd show. Hurry and get yours today! "The third installment of GIGANTOUR--the acclaimed traveling heavy music festival launched in 2005 by MUSTAINE--will kick off April 12 in Denver, CO with headliner MEGADETH, Scandinavian death metal band IN FLAMES, Finland's CHILDREN OF BODOM, Arizona's modern extreme JOB FOR A COWBOY and Oakland, CA heavy power trio HIGH ON FIRE all confirmed. The 29-date trek will criss-cross North America and wraps May 22 in Phoenix , AZ." Details and tickets are [HERE]
Dave Mustaine will be guest hosting a special edition of CHAOS with Full Metal Jackie this Sunday, March 30th from 10pm-Midnight PST on Indie 103.1 FM Los Angeles/Orange County. The show will focus on Gigantour playing music from past & current Gigantour artists! CHAOS with Full Metal Jackie also streams online at www.indie1031.com [MORE]
Jesterhead is proud to be offering the opportunity for Colonists to meet IN FLAMES at ALL upcoming shows in the US & Canada on Gigantour 2008! You must be an active Jesterhead Colonist to participate. For more details join the Colony NOW! [HERE]
Daniel Svensson and Peter Iwers will be chatting with Jesterhead Colonists exclusively on Thursday, March 27th at 22:00 CET (Central European Time). They will be checking in with the Colony to talk about Gigantour, and anything else you may want to ask them. Don't miss it! You must be an active Jesterhead Colonist to participate. Join the Colony NOW! [HERE]
Dave Mustaine has posted an update on the Gigantour Forums. The following exerpts are from his post: "...and you can see why I am even more excited about this year, than any Gigantour to date. ...Drum roll: yes it is true . . . the Official Megadeth Ebay store has reopened and our new Storekeeper is a lady named Kellie Payne. ...we are going to be leaving on April 8th for Denver to start the tour and going to end it in Venezuela" [MORE]
Dave Mustaine will guest on guitarist Dave Navarro's (The Panic Channel, ex-Jane's Addiction) online TV show on ManiaTV.com called "Spread TV" sometime in April. The exact broadcast date will be announced soon. To watch the program live or on demand, go [HERE]
Dave Mustaine has posted this update on the Megadeth Forums: "Droogies! What a wild tour this one ended up being for the last few weeks. Thank God we are through it, but plan on reading about some really intense moments when I get a chance to post what happened at the end of the tour. We have some killer footage too of our greetings when we arrived in India at the concert. Hell you have prolly seen it already, but I am just getting out of the cocoon from the 12.5 hours jetlag." [MORE]
The Gigantour show at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg is now sold out! This is the third sold out show on the North American tour and more will follow soon. So a heads up to everyone who may be holding off on buying their tickets, by looking at the current ticket sales stats, we can tell you that certain other Canadian dates in particular may very well be next on the list to sell out! Grab your tickets now before it's too late. You do not want to miss out on seeing Megadeth, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy, and High On Fire live together at Gigantour 2008! [MORE]
In Flames will take part in an online chat this Wednesday, March 19 at 1:00 p.m. (Swedish time) at the web site of the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter. [HERE]
Audio samples of all 12 tracks that are set to appear on "A Sense Of Purpose", the new album from Swedish metallers IN FLAMES, are available for streaming [HERE]
The first two sold out shows on Gigantour North America 2008 have now been posted to the Killing Road. Quebec City, Quebec and Edmonton, Alberta are the first two cities to sell out on the tour! Canadian fans have stepped up to the plate again as they did recently with selling out the VIP packages for Edmonton and Calgary. (Shawn ought to be proud, eh?!). Also fyi, Montreal was first to sell out on the Blackmail The Universe tour of North America with Regina following second. [MORE]
Phil Davies for eGigs.co.uk recently posted this review online about Gigantour in Birmingham, UK. "Then the place erupts. Megadeth stride onto the stage to the entire venue in overdrive. Never men to hang around, they launch straight into it. Understandably, a lot of tonight's set is made up of songs from their 2007 release, United Abominations. With good solid tracks Such as 'Washington is next' and 'Burnt Ice', the new material seems like classic Megadeth, but with a more personal touch." [MORE]
New music from Children Of Bodom and In Flames will be premiered this Sunday (March 9) on Indie 103.1 FM's specialty heavy metal program "Chaos with Full Metal Jackie". To listen to the show live via the Internet, go to this location. The program also airs on KNAC.COM Monday nights between 7 and 9 p.m. PST (and again on Sunday mornings between 7 and 9 a.m.).
Meet Megadeth on Gigantour in North America this spring! Deluxe VIP packages are now available to the general public. Packages include concert ticket, meet & greet with Megadeth, autograph session, signed Gigantour 2008 collectable 8X10, photo with the band, VIP laminate, and more! Spaces are limited to 40 packages per show! Purchase your package [HERE]
Megadeth VIP Package - Gigantour North America
* One General Admission Standing Ticket
* Exclusive Meet and Greet with Megadeth
* Autograph session (includes signed Gigantour 2008 collectable 8X10)
* Personal Photograph with the band
* Official Megadeth Meet and Greet VIP Laminate
* Set of Special Megadeth Guitar Picks
* Exclusive Megadeth Bandana
*Please note:
This unique meet and greet experience is your opportunity to interact directly with Megadeth.
Meet and greet instructions will be emailed to each confirmed guest (1) weeks prior to show date.
You may bring one extra item only to be signed. No shoes, cigarettes, alcohol or drug related products or paraphernalia, bootleg items of any kind, will be allowed.
No fan cameras will be permitted. Our professional photographer will be there to take your pic with the band.
All tickets will be sent via regular mail. Official laminate, guitar picks, bandana and 8X10 collectible will be distributed at the meet and greet session.
Space is limited to 40 packages per show.
"Heavy Metal Championship 2007" - Megadeth and Dave Mustaine take five top spots in Japan's Burrn! magazine's Readers' Poll for the year of 2007 in the following categories:
* Best Live Performance In Japan (Megadeth)
* Shining Star (Dave Mustaine)
* Best Album Cover ("United Abominations")
* Best DVD ("That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires")
* Best Tune ("Washington Is Next!")
Megadeth and Mustaine also took second spots in the "Best Group", "Guitarist" and "Songwriter" categories. See the magazine page scans [HERE]
Win the ultimate Gigantour 2008 experience "Dinner with Dave Mustaine". The Canadian branch of Roadrunner Records is offering fans an opportunity to win a dinner with Dave as a grand prize which will include tickets to the show, autographed swag and more! Runner up prizes are also up for grabs. Enter the contest [MORE]
Melanie Falina for UnratedMagazine.com reviews the new 'Gigantour 2' DVD: "When Megadeth's frontman Dave Mustaine put together the first Gigantour we all rocked along in awe. Nothing against our Prince of Heavy Metal Darkness - Mr. Osbourne and his Ozz Fest - but Dave Mustaine hand picking the bands to bring on board his own brand spanking new touring metal show - how cool is that?Now, as we're bracing for "Round 3" to come to our towns, it's also time to relive last year's festivities on CD. Gearing up for an April 22 nd release, Gigantour 2 is a 14 song sampling of another group of bands whose chops are just as much bark as they are bite." [MORE]
Chris Beaumont for Blogcritics.org reviews the new 'Gigantour 2' DVD. "..Now, the legendary Megadeth takes their place on the stage and closes out this DVD compilation with three songs of pure Megadeth goodness... If you like metal, are curious about the tour, or attended one of the shows, this disk is for you. It is well shot and well recorded and proved the lineup to be considerably stronger than I initially expected." [MORE]
The 6-page cover story on Gigantour in the April issue of Revolver is on sale now! Dave Mustaine talks about Gigantour being a more positive experience: "Gigantour is about celebration. It's one of those festivals where it's about treating the musicians right so they can do their job. When you enjoy what you're doing, it becomes effortless - you forget where you're at. It becomes magical." See the cover and scans of the pages [HERE]
By overwhelming demand, a second show at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City has been added to Gigantour 2008 North America for April 23! Presented by Hot Topic - Gigantour, featuring Megadeth, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy, and High On Fire is set to kick off its six-week trek across the USA and Canada on April 12. Check the tour page for details [HERE]
James Allman of Baconmusic conducted an interview with Job For A Cowboy vocalist Jonny Davy last night (Saturday, February 23), just hours before the band's Gigantour show in Manchester, UK. Watch the eight-minute chat [HERE]
MFC members check out a new video clip posted at the club of James LoMenzo from backstage Sunday, Feb 17 in Norwich, UK . This clip shows James on Skype with his wife after the show in Norwich. James usually Skypes his family every night after the show. Video clip is exclusive to MegaFanClub members! Not a member? Join today!
MFC members check out a new video clip posted at the club of James LoMenzo from backstage Sunday, Feb 17 in Norwich, UK . This clip shows James on Skype with his wife after the show in Norwich. James usually Skypes his family every night after the show. Video clip is exclusive to MegaFanClub members! Not a member? Join today!
MFC members check out a new video clip posted at the club of James LoMenzo from backstage Sunday, Feb 17 in Norwich, UK . This clip shows James on Skype with his wife after the show in Norwich. James usually Skypes his family every night after the show. Video clip is exclusive to MegaFanClub members! Not a member? Join today!
MFC members check out a new video clip posted at the club of James LoMenzo from backstage Sunday, Feb 17 in Norwich, UK . This clip shows James on Skype with his wife after the show in Norwich. James usually Skypes his family every night after the show. Video clip is exclusive to MegaFanClub members! Not a member? Join today!
Chat live with Dave Mustaine from Newcastle, UK on Wednesday, Feb 20 at 5:30 PM (Newcastle local time) at the Gigantour chat room! That is 9:30 AM Pacific Time / 12:30 PM Eastern Time / 17:30 GMT. The chat is open to all fans and you must be a registered member of the Gigantour Forums to participate. The Gigantour Chat Room is located [HERE]
A fan who was at the Nottingham show earlier tonight gives his take on the headliners: "The gig was absolutley amazing, the band seemed to enjoy every second of it. Defininate highlights were Take no prisoners, Ashes and Tornado (Chris nailed the solo note for note) I stood with a massive grin on my face during most of the gig (between headbanging) I would gladly recommend to ANYONE to go and see this tour!!!!" Read more reviews [HERE]
Gigantour UK makes its debut today in Norwich, England featuring headliners Megadeth with special guest Job For A Cowboy and UK's own Evile. This run of Megadeth's current European tour takes the band through mostly sold out shows in the UK. Gigantour tickets are still available but only for the Glasgow show. Check the tour page for details [HERE]
Meet Megadeth on Gigantour in North America this spring! Deluxe VIP packages are now available to the general public. Packages include concert ticket, meet & greet with Megadeth, autograph session, signed Gigantour 2008 collectable 8X10, photo with the band, VIP laminate, and more! Spaces are limited to 40 packages per show! Purchase your package [HERE]
Megadeth VIP Package - Gigantour North America
* One General Admission Standing Ticket
* Exclusive Meet and Greet with Megadeth
* Autograph session (includes signed Gigantour 2008 collectable 8X10)
* Personal Photograph with the band
* Official Megadeth Meet and Greet VIP Laminate
* Set of Special Megadeth Guitar Picks
* Exclusive Megadeth Bandana
*Please note:
This unique meet and greet experience is your opportunity to interact directly with Megadeth.
Meet and greet instructions will be emailed to each confirmed guest (1) weeks prior to show date.
You may bring one extra item only to be signed. No shoes, cigarettes, alcohol or drug related products or paraphernalia, bootleg items of any kind, will be allowed.
No fan cameras will be permitted. Our professional photographer will be there to take your pic with the band.
All tickets will be sent via regular mail. Official laminate, guitar picks, bandana and 8X10 collectible will be distributed at the meet and greet session.
Space is limited to 40 packages per show.
G2 Gals: Tracey Wiedeman, Rachel Heitzer, Jenny Neace, Evie Carrano
Evie Carrano, from Chicago, was a Local Masseuse, a Tour Masseuse, a Cotton Tech (merch person), a Band Assistant, and much, much more. She had just recently finished her first gig as a Tour Manager. Evie toured with Lamb Of God on Gigantour 2006. Gigantour and Megadeth Jr. Manager, Tracey Wiedeman had these words to say: "Evie was one of those kind and caring souls that are sometimes hard to find in the music industry. She was smart, funny & genuine and every time Evie walked into a room she always brought a soothing peace with her no matter how hectic things may have been." Evie succumbed to leukemia Tuesday night, surrounded by her loving family. Our condolences to Evie's family, she will be missed.
Headbanger's Blog has posted a 30-minute audio interview with Dave Mustaine about how Chris Broderick entered the band, how he chose the bands for this year’s Gigantour, the recent resurrection of thrash metal, the disappointing absence of strong Presidential candidates and why you should fork out the cash for a pot of his delicious custom coffee. Check it out [HERE]
Bassist Henkka Blacksmith of Children Of Bodom has posted the following message at the Gigantour Forums: "I m so excited about the tour! Looking forward...2more months only.." [MORE]
'GIGANTOUR 2' CD AND DVD
FEATURING MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD, AND MORE
SET FOR APRIL 22 RELEASE ON IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
AS MEGADETH GEARS UP FOR 2008 EDITION
OF METAL FESTIVAL TOUR
The second coming of MEGADETH 's acclaimed traveling metal festival GIGANTOUR arrives on both DVD and CD April 22 via Image Entertainment--just ten days after GIGANTOUR's latest incarnation begins its North American invasion April 12 in Denver. Conceived in 2005 by MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE , GIGANTOUR-- proclaimed "the mother of all shred fests" by Revolver magazine-resurrects metal's focus on stellar musicianship.
The GIGANTOUR 2 DVD and CD follow Image Entertainment's fall 2006 release of the debut GIGANTOUR CD and DVD which featured unforgettable performances by MEGADETH , Dream Theater, Fear Factory, Anthrax (CD only), Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex.
GIGANTOUR 2 features over an hour of blistering performances by iconic and influential heavy metal pioneers MEGADETH--who have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide in a career now spanning 25 years--along with Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, The Smashup, and Into Eternity. Recorded in DTS 5.1 surround sound, the DVD version also features a behind the scenes look at the 2006 tour, while both the DVD and CD offer a hidden bonus track--MEGADETH's ever-relevant "Peace Sells."
"Mr. Mustaine was one of speed-metal's originators, and his double-time riffs are propulsive," wrote Ben Ratliff of The New York Times in a review of the 2006 GIGANTOUR. "Bending over his guitar, long blond tresses hanging down, he gives his solos the direct feeling of wrestling with the music as he plays it, with some chaos and aggression."
"Megadeth might be counting its history in decades now, but one would never have gathered that from their career-spanning set," concurred Paul Andersen of the L.A. Daily News . "Mustaine and crew played with a passion and intensity that fed directly from the adoring crowd, and throughout their 90-minute set, no one sat, as this was a day--and night--that demanded movement."
The release of the GIGANTOUR 2 DVD and CD coincides with this year's Earth Day--perfect, really, since MUSTAINE has said, with a laugh, about GIGANTOUR's mission of emphasizing true musicianship and virtuosity: " I think that in a small way, we are cleaning up the environment of crappy bands."
Meanwhile, in February MEGADETH heads to Europe--where recently announced new guitarist CHRIS BRODERICK (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) will make his debut with the band alongside MUSTAINE, drummer SHAWN DROVER , and bassist JAMES LOMENZO --before returning for this year's GIGANTOUR.
The 29-date North American trek kicks off April 12 at The Fillmore in Denver and criss-crosses the U.S. and Canada until its May 22 finale at the Mesa Amphitheatre in Phoenix . Joining MEGADETH on this year's tour are Scandinavian death metal band In Flames, Finland's Children of Bodom, Arizona's modern extreme Job for a Cowboy, and Oakland, CA heavy power trio High on Fire.
For more information, go to www.gigantour.com , www.megadeth.com , and www.image-entertainment.com .
The DVD and CD track listings are below.
DVD:
1. THE SMASHUP Effigy 2. SANCTITY Beneath the Machine 3. INTO ETERNITY Severe Emotional Distress 4. OVERKILL Necroshine 5. OVERKILL Rotten to the Core 6. ARCH ENEMY We Will Rise 7. ARCH ENEMY Nemesis 8. OPETH The Leper Affinity 9. LAMB OF GOD Vigil 10. LAMB OF GOD Now You've Got Something to Die For 11. MEGADETH Take No Prisoners 12. MEGADETH The Scorpion 13. MEGADETH Washington is Next!
CD:
1. THE SMASH UP: Rachel's Day 2. SANCTITY: Zeppo 3. INTO ETERNITY: Timeless Winter 4. OVERKILL: Thanks for Nothing 5. OVERKILL: Long Time Dying 6. ARCH ENEMY: Nemesis 7. ARCH ENEMY: We Will Rise 8. OPETH: Window Pane 9. LAMB OF GOD: Vigil 10. LAMB OF GOD: Red Neck 11. LAMB OF GOD: Something To Die For 12. MEGADETH: Take No Prisoners 13. MEGADETH: The Scorpion 14. MEGADETH: Washington Is Next!
About Image Entertainment:
Image Entertainment, Inc. is a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America , with approximately 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 250 exclusive CD titles in domestic release and approximately 450 programs internationally via sublicense agreements. For many of its titles, the Company has exclusive audio and broadcast rights and, through its subsidiary Egami Media, Inc., has digital download rights to approximately 2,000 video programs and over 300 audio programs containing more than 4,500 tracks. The Company is headquartered in Chatsworth , California . For more information about Image Entertainment, Inc., please go to www.image-entertainment.com.
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The 'GIGANTOUR 2' DVD and CD are both now available for pre-order at Amazon.com! Join Megadeth as they return to unleash the second coming of GIGANTOUR on their 2006 world tour! Featuring a lineup of metal's pioneers, prepare yourself for a night of sonic mayhem.
Gigantour 2 features today's top metal bands: Megadeth, Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Over Kill, Into Eternity, The Smashup, and Sanctity! The disc - which was recorded in 2006 during the second installment of the traveling festival features the following track list:
01. THE SMASHUP - Rachel's Day
02. SANCTITY - Zeppo
03. INTO ETERNITY - Timeless Winter
04. OVERKILL - Thanks For Nothing
05. OVERKILL - Long Time Dying
06. ARCH ENEMY - Nemisis
07. ARCH ENEMY - We Will Rise / Bridge
08. OPETH - Window Pane
09. LAMB OF GOD - Vigil
10. LAMB OF GOD - Red Neck
11. LAMB OF GOD - Something To Die For
12. MEGADETH - Take No Prisoners
13. MEGADETH - The Scorpion
14. MEGADETH - Washington Is Next
In a 2006 interview, Dave Mustaine stated that Gigantour is a celebration of headbanging rock at its best.
"It's all about musicianship and people who are positive," said Dave, who started the festival tour in 2005. "We want people out there who aren't afraid to do a guitar solo, and with the guys from Lamb Of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy and the other bands, we have a great new generation of guitar players out there."
'GIGANTOUR 2' is set to hit stores on April 22nd via Image-Entertainment. Pre-order the DVD and CD at Amazon.com today!
Glendale, AZ extreme metal powerhouse Job For A Cowboy will take part in the North American and United Kingdom editions of Gigantour alongside thrash metal legends Megadeth.
Job For A Cowboy will provide direct support to Megadeth on the UK Gigantour run, set to launch February 17 in Norwich, UK. The week-long trek will conclude with a February 24 performance at London's Brixton Academy. Job For A Cowboy will then join Megadeth, Swedish metal titans In Flames, Finnish thrashers Children Of Bodom and Oakland, CA power trio High On Fire as part of the North American Gigantour, set to launch April 12 in Denver, CO.
Commented Job For A Cowboy guitarist Ravi Bhadriraju: "It is an honor to be selected as part of such a great tour. Bands like High On Fire, Children Of Bodom, In Flames and Megadeth are all respected in their own genres and every band has something great to offer. Every band is going to put on a show. Every band will eat you alive. Get your popcorn ready!"
Job For A Cowboy will kick off a U.S. tour in support of "Genesis" beginning January 24 in Fresno, CA. Support on the three-week run will be provided by The Red Chord and Skeletonwitch.
Job For A Cowboy's video for their song "Altered from Catechization" can be viewed below
Tickets for select cities on the Gigantour North American tour go on sale today to the general public. Remaining cities go on sale Saturday and Sunday. Pre-sales are still available at the MegaFanClub. Deluxe meet & greet packages are also available at the ticket links. Check the tour page for all details [HERE]
Ticket presales for Gigantour 2008 North America go on sale today at 10:00 AM local times exclusivley to MegaFanClub members. Details have been e-mailed out to all MFC members and can also been found once logged in at the fan club website. Presale continues through the week. Tickets go on sale to the general public this weekend. Meet & greet packages will be available to fan club members this week. Stay tuned for details. Not a member? Join today [HERE]
Dave Mustaine has big news for metal fans: Gigantour is back, and Megadeth has a new guitarist! Gigantour 2008 North America kicks off April 12 in Denver, CO with headliner Megadeth, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy, and High On Fire. The 29-date trek will criss-cross North America and wraps May 22 in Phoenix, AZ. In other Megadeth news, the group has officially welcomed new guitarist Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) to the band after parting ways with Glen Drover. Read the official press release HERE
MegaFanClub members are going to have first dibs on some very limited deluxe meet & greet packages for the North American Gigantour coming early this week!! Presales for tickets alone are all so going on sale exclusively to MFC members on Tuesday! Stay tuned for details! Not a member? Join today! [HERE]
The UK run of Megadeth's tour this spring has been rebranded under the Gigantour banner. Gigantour UK will make its debut in Norwich on Feb 17th and finish up in London on Feb 24th. Scheduled for the main support is special guest Job For A Cowboy, and thanks to the support of TheLiveLine.com, fans' votes helped to put UK's own Evile into the opening spot on the tour. Tour details and tickets are [HERE]
The lineup for this year's Gigantour is now officially announced. The tour is scheduled to kick off mid-April and run through end of May with the lineup as follows: Megadeth, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy, and High On Fire. Tour dates to be revealed soon. Dave Mustaine: "The breaking news is we are going to have five bands this year, instead of eight. The decision to drop it down from eight bands to five was based on timing, set lengths, stage sizes, unions, and most importantly allowing 'us' - the musicians - to deliver to 'you' - the fans - the best shows we can."
Dave Mustaine wishes everyone a Happy New Year. "As we near the end of 2007 and my lovely Droogs down under celebrate 2008 already, we back here at the Mustaine House are reflecting on the last year. They are all laughing and joking and I have snuck off to make the last post of this year." Read the rest of Dave's new year's message [HERE]
Dave Mustaine has posted this update at the MegaFanClub, Megadeth, and Gigantour Forums: "We are one step closer to releasing Phase 2 of "TheLiveLine.com" site and this week we are going to introducing you to some of our new features and our new established artists. I have been talking to some of my close friends and we are going to have a few more people for you to talk to at "TheLiveLine.com" Read Dave's entire post [HERE]
Dave Mustaine has posted an update at the Gigantour Forums: "The breaking news is we are going to have five bands this year, instead of 8. The decision to drop it down from 8 bands to 5 was based on timing, set lengths, stage sizes, unions, and most importantly allowing "us" - the musicians to deliver to "you" - the fans the best shows we can. Besides it is easier to remember 5 bands and crews worth of names than 8." Read Dave's entire post [HERE]
"Droogies!
Far and wide, thank you all for you fabulous support at the concerts and other various get-togethers. We wrapped up 2007 in one of the warmest and kindest countries to host heavy metal concerts.
You may wonder why the title, but that is one of my "pick-me-up" sissy-pop songs and it just came on as i was packing my suitcase.
Anyway . . .
I look forward to a long relationship with the Aussies, if not with just Gigantour, but definitely Megadeth too.
I enjoyed seeing some of the last runs airport friends, except hair-toucher.
I am going to reflect on a very up and down year over the holidays and get myself prepare to come back even stronger next year.
There will be updates and a new number to call me on soon, so stay tuned.
Until we speak again, thanks to Bring Me The Horizon, Lacuna Coil, Devil Driver, and Static - X.
It is time to try to sleep for 3 hours and then shower and head for home. Wish us all safe travels." MORE
Chat live with vocalist Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil Sunday Nov 18 4:30PM BRISBANE TIME (06:30 GMT Sun Nov 18) in the Gigantour chat room! Chat room is located [HERE]
Australia's littlest metal fan, 8 year old Jaidyn, had won a contest last month to meet Megadeth on GIGANTOUR. The contest was put on by FasterLouder.com.au and Megadeth to discover Australia’s biggest metal fans.
Jaidyn and his parents, Paul and Cassandra (pictured above with Megadeth in Melbourne on Nov 13) shared some of their experience and thanks to Megadeth after the show: "We cant express how thrilled Jaidyn was to have his shirt signed, photo taken with the band and then be asked to go on stage. To add to this further he was then given drumsticks from Shawn and acknowledgement by the band as they waited to come on stage. It was certainly a night he will never forget and is only now realizing the enormity of what he received."
Previously posted: "Who was metal enough for Gigantour? Australia's littlest metal fan, that's who! For those not in the know, Megadeth enlisted the help of FasterLouder.com.au to discover Australia’s biggest metal fans. Entrants from all over Australia submitted their photo to FasterLouder and Dave Mustaine chose the winner - 8 year old "Rattlehead" who must be the biggest little metal fan in the land"
Chat live with vocalist/guitarist Wayne Static and bassist Tony Campos of Static-X Friday, Nov 16 4:30PM SYDNEY TIME (05:30 GMT Nov 16) in the Gigantour chat room! Chat room is located [HERE]
Chat live with Dave Mustaine from Sydney, Australia at the Gigantour Chat Room Thursday, November 15 at 1PM Sydney time (02:00 GMT Nov 15). Dave will join us from mid tour GIGANTOUR OZ. The tour has a stop for two shows in Sydney before wrapping up the trek across OZ in Brisbane on Sunday night. To participate in the chat you must be registered at the Gigantour Forums. All fans are welcome. Forums/Chat are located [HERE]
Dave Mustaine is inviting 12 fan club members with movie cameras to come to the Sydney Gigantour shows [Nov 15 and 16] each day and film the whole day including the duet of "A Tout Le Monde", with Christina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil. To show his appreciation he is offering the member and a mate a free ticket and a backstage pass to that show. MFC members, e-mail megafanclub@megadeth.com if you are interested. Fans chosen will be picked on a first come - first serve basis. Not a member? Join now and take part in this incredible opportunity! [MORE]
Last night in Melbourne, Australia (Nov 13 Melbourne time), members of the band RATT; Warren DeMartini and John Corabi joined Megadeth on stage to sing "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying". Also joining in were Tony Campos from Static-X, Dez Fafara of DevilDriver, and more from the bands of Gigantour. Gigantour OZ is in full swing right now with the final show ending in Brisbane on Sunday, November 18. [MORE]
Chat live with guitarist Chris Migliore and drummer Criz Mozzati of Lacuna Coil Tues, Nov 13 5PM MELBOURNE TIME (06:00 GMT Nov 13) in the Gigantour chat room! Chat room is located [HERE]
"I wanted to tell you about my experience in Perth, Australia and the concert. I loved the fans, I liked the show, and I hated the security... [MORE]
An audio clip of Megadeth performing "A Tout Le Monde" in Perth, Australia on Nov 10 with guest, Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil is now available for download in the Gigantour.com media section. Cristina joined Megadeth on stage at the Perth show to sing the duet with Dave Mustaine. Check it out! [HERE]
One day, one community, one cause. Myspace bands are coming together to help the people of Darfur, and to send a strong message to the world that this crisis must end now. Show your support and go to a ROCK FOR DARFUR show on November 10. Megadeth is a part of it and will be playing to a sold out show today in Perth marking the first show of the Gigantour OZ 2007 tour! Read more about Rock For Darfur [MORE]
GIGANTOUR OZ 2007 kicks off to a sold out show tomorrow in Perth, Australia! GIGANTOUR Australia is a festival trek across the land-down-under with Megadeth headlining accompanied by Static-X, DevilDriver, Lacuna Coil, and Bring Me The Horizon. Tickets and details are [HERE]
Lacuna Coil has confirmed the following in-store signing sessions while in Australia:
Nov. 13 - JB Hi-Fi (206 Bourke St.) Melbourne at 2:00 p.m.
Nov. 15 - JB Hi-Fi (The Galleries Victoria, 500 George St,) Sydney at 2:00 p.m.
Shawn Drover has posted this update on the Megadeth Forums: "Man, we had such a great time onstage last night in Osaka, so much so that we played an extra 20 minutes for ya I want to personally thank all involved with Mr.Udo for making our stay in Japan one to remember for a long time, as well as thanking the fans for enjoying this trip as much as we did!!!!!!!! I am getting ready to board the plane here in Hong Kong to Perth, so just a super quick post to our friends in Australia - SEE YOU SOON!!!!!" MORE
James LoMenzo has posted this update on the Megadetrh Forums: "The boys and I were on the train last night from Nagoya to Osaka reminiscing about last years Aussie Gigantour and what a great time we had... the shows, the great bands, the crowds... so, in the midst of this killer run here in Japan, we're becoming more and more excited to bring the show to all you lovely people in Australia... "Gigantour '07"... We're on the way... hope to see all our Aussie friends!" MORE
Megadeth's lead guitarist Glen Drover has posted an update at the Megadeth Forums: "Just a quick hello to you and to let you know how excited I am to get back to the land of OZ and Gigantour!!! We have such a killer line-up this year and I have not seen any of these bands in a live situation yet, so of course I am looking forward to that as well as seeing all of you attending these shows. Get ready, because we are going to musically destroy :)" MORE
This just in... GIGANTOUR on November 10 in Perth, Australia is now SOLD OUT! Tickets are still available for Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Check tour dates, get tickets, and more details HERE
Dez Fafara of DevilDriver, and Andrea Ferro of Lacuna Coil have each posted Halloween wishes to all GIGANTOUR fans on the GIGANTOUR Forums.
Dez: "Happy Halloween everyone ! I wait all year for this ! Heres whats up in DevilDriver world. WAITING to return DOWN UNDER ! Im looking forward to seeing everyone ! Gonna be good hanging with Dave ,and Lacuna coil....NO doubt they will help me brush up on my Italian ! Listening to the new DOWN record,Going back to the pumpkin carving......have a great day ,see ya all real soon !"
Andrea: "Hello everyone, happy Halloween!!! Have a wicked night, party hard and take good care of yourself. See ya soon in Oz (can't believe we're finally comin' for real...), trick or treat?
Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had a wife and couldn't keep her.
He put her in a pumpkin shell
And there he kept her, very well"
PerthNow reports: "32 BANDS. 4 continents. 1 Massive global charity event and Megadeth are a part of it, playing in Perth on November 10. This one-day philanthropic concert-event was created by MySpace to generate awareness and raise funds for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. It sees the world’s biggest music names uniting to make a positive impact on the Darfur crisis." Megadeth www.myspace.com/megadeth - City: Perth - Venue: Metro City, 146 Roe St, Northbridge, WA 6003 - Event: Gigantour.
This massive global event will see concerts take place across four continents and showcase bands passionate about promoting peace in the troubled African region.
Fans can show their support for the cause by attending one of the local concerts taking place.
Read more of this article HERE
Vocalist, Cristina Scabbia and guitarist, Cristiano Migliore of Lacuna Coil have each posted in the Journals section of the site. Cristina: "And of course, there's also a chance that I just might be performing "A Tout Le Monde (Set me free)" with Dave..." MORE
HeavyMetalSource.com conducted an interview with Bring Me THe Horizon on October 14 in Worcester, Massachusetts at the Palladium. Watch the 10-minute clip HERE
Bring Me the Horizon are five young British lads with a penchant for the heavy. Their astonishingly good debut mini album, ‘This is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made For’, is essentially an 18 minute, mid nineties breakdown; four tracks of intense raging chugging and squealing, stop/starting and severe ‘core riffing. Nary a second hand euro thrash riff to be found, nary a melodic sung chorus, all things about this genre that irritate are devoid (well save for ball splittingly tight pants and backwards hair-cuts). Then they played shows……and kids moshed……and they kept playing shows……and kids kept moshing……
See them on Gigantour 2007 in Australia this November!
Well the gods, AKA Dave Mustaine have spoken and the winner of our Metal Enough for Gigantour has been revealed and it's none other than a eight year old fan named ‘Rattlehead'.
For those not in the know, Megadeth enlisted the help of FasterLouder.com.au to discover Australia's biggest metal fans. Entrants from all over Australia submitted their photo to fasterlouder.com.au and Dave Mustaine chose the winner - young Rattlehead who must be the biggest little metal fan in the land.
The prize allows Rattlehead to hang out with the band before the show, get his pic taken with the band and receive a prize pack of merch.
Rattlehead was first introduced to Megadeth by his father and cites his fave Megadeth album as Youthanasia .
The event will mark the first concert he's ever attended and thanks to the crew at Gigantour his whole family will be along for the ride. The whole family are true metal fans - next year they the entire clan will be scooting off to see Iron Maiden...
When asked how does it feel to be named Australia's biggest metal fan? he said "I was like woooooooooaah, I didn' t know where to look and I could hardly speak".
His message to Megadeth.... "You guys Rock and I can't wait to see you rock on stage at Gigantour".
Read more at FasterLouder.com.au
MEGADETH PACK GUITAR LEGEND SLASH OFF TO DRIVING SCHOOL AND ANNOUNCE 2ND & FINAL SYDNEY SHOW
The top hat wearing Velvet Revolver guitar hero and Guns & Roses founder Slash approached Megadeth 's bass player James Lomenzo at a Portland hotel lobby last week and blamed Megadeth for his driving woes. "I love the new album ( United Abominations ) so much that every time I drive I've got it crankin' in my car... I've gotten two speeding tickets thanks to you jerks and now I've got to go to fucking traffic school!" A nervous Lomenzo duly apologised for the inconvenience caused but stopped short of promising the band's next album will not be as amazing as this one!
In other great but not-quite-as-amusing Megadeth news, the band have announced a 2 nd and final Sydney show on Friday November 16 at Big Top, Luna Park. Megadeth will once again be ably supported by the all-star Gigantour line-up of Static X , Devildriver , Lacuna Coil and Bring Me The Horizon . The band's Perth and Adelaide shows are also expected to sell out within days.
Lomenzo will narrowly avoid crossing paths with Slash who will roll into town a couple of weeks later with supergroup Velvet Revolver .
MEGADETH / STATIC X / DEVILDRIVER / LACUNA COIL / BRING ME THE HORIZON...this is GIGANTOUR.
TICKETS FOR THE SECOND AND FINAL GIGANTOUR SYDNEY SHOW ARE ON SALE NOW
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER PERTH , METRO CITY - 18+
Moshtix www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 GET TIX (438 849), Amplifier, Galaxy, Mills, Planet (Mt Lawley), Jumbo & Rockeby
MONDAY 12 NOVEMBER ADELAIDE , THEBARTON THEATRE - Licensed All Ages
Venuetix www.venuetix.com.au , 08 8225 8888
TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER MELBOURNE , FESTIVAL HALL - All Ages Licensed & Unlicensed areas available
Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au 0r 136 100 & Festival Hall Box Office 03 9329 9699
THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER SYDNEY , LUNA PARK BIG TOP - 18+
Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 & www.bigtopsydney.com or 1300 BIG TOP
Second and final show on sale now!
FRIDAY 16 NOVEMBER SYDNEY , LUNA PARK BIG TOP- 18+
Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 & www.bigtopsydney.com or 1300 BIG TOP
SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER BRISBANE, RIVERSTAGE - Licensed All Ages
Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100, Rockinghorse, Skinnys, Music Mania, Moshpit Music, Kill The Music.
Britain's Bring Me The Horizon has now been added to three dates on Australia's GIGANTOUR. Nov 13 in Melbourne, Nov 15 in Sydney, and Nov 18 in Brisbane.
Vocalist Oli Sykes: "We can't wait to get out to the Australia. We've done loads of touring this year, going to new places and meeting new people and it's been great. I actually used to live in Australia, but haven't been back for years. To be able to return to tour with Megadeth is a dream come true."
In the seemingly short span of three years since their formation, Bring Me The Horizon has "accomplished more in that time than most bands do in 10," according to a press release. "In 2006, Bring Me The Horizon was the recipient of a Kerrang! award for 'Best British Newcomer' and held steady on MySpace's top 100 list of most played bands. Bring Me The Horizon was only one of two U.K. acts to chart in the MySpace top 100 (the other being Coldplay). In addition, they've toured with bands such as Bleeding Trough and Killswitch Engage and performed a show-stealing set at the U.K.'s Download Festival."
The group's debut album, "Count Your Blessings", was released in North America on August 14 via Earache Records.
Check out the band's myspage page at www.myspace.com/bmth
Dave Mustaine has posted this message at the Megadeth Forums:
"Droogies!
Well, now that Gigantour NA and OZ is over, looking back this year was just as much fun for me as last year, and the bands were hot this year, even if they had been out before on other tours recently. Remember this tour is about a sense of community between the bands and that spills over to all of the fans. Of course there will always be someone who doesn’t quite grasp the mindset of Gigantour and I will just have to pay special attention to them, to remind them what it is that the "bands and fans" are doing here.
I had a solid touring staff this year, and excluding a few bumps and one enormous pot hole, we had another successful trip around the continent. I look forward to hearing some stories about what Gigantour meant for you this year, as opposed to last year.
Now, into faraway lands; like Japan! What an amazing performance the Japanese promoter did with Loud Rock and the Gigantour Day. I could see us having one day of Loud Park being Gigantour Day every year. And the bands they picked for the weekend were really cool too! Sadly, I couldn’t see any of them on the second day, except in the hotels or nearby shops, restaurants, or the one guy that is always asking for the underwear vending machines.
And last, but certainly not least, is our Australian Droogies! Representing!!!
I saw a lot of the fans and Droogies from last year and thankfully got away with out seeing another that creeps me out a little bit, and overall the audience has grown to almost double the size of last year! Y’all must reproduce faster down there than we do up here. :D
I have already started talking to Gigantour’s Australian Representation about next years Gigantour.2007.OZ, and was, as it were, able to meet up with someone that G.2007.OZ were interested in for Gigantour next year in Australia as the headliner, since he was passing through and we all met up for dinner and seafood.
After tomorrow night, I will be returning home to prepare the few last touches on the new record and to finish writing two new songs. I wrote them with the help of my boys out on the road, and all of the ups and very few downs of this last tour, there is going to be a bunch of little spicing ups of parts.
This is going to be the year of the Droogie! I can feel it. :D
Angela Gossow of ARCH ENEMY recently posted on her myspace page:
"If you wanna know how to play the blues, get yourself a woman..
Well, I am both. Woman and ..end-of-tour..-bluesy.. Terrible.
My Mac broke down (the battery gave out, a serial defect) and I was offline for about 10 days. Thus the ..silence...
Loud Park festival in Japan was crazy and apparently we are in the top 3 of ..most popular band.. according to the festival..s forum. This is wonderful news. They know how to make you work there. A big room full of media, journalists and industry people. And you have to do ..The Round... All bands have to. I was totally talked out hours BEFORE the show. You got one day there and they know how to milk it. I had nothing left to say for days. I didn..t need to, the next day we embarked on a 23 hours flight marathon to Perth, Australia. We had a day off there, which I spent as a motionless carcass in bed. I was obviously wide awake the whole following night. Jetlag at its best. Love it. Perth is very beautiful at night. It is spring season there and the air is heavy with salty and flowery scents. I sat down at the beach in the moonlight and felt eternity. Maybe it was just the jetlag though. Or the space cookies. Anyway, the stars were closer to earth than anywhere else.
The Australian shows were nothing short of amazing. Perth and Adelaide were sold out. Aussie metal fans are lunatics. Fucking great. The air was melting hot in the clubs. Packed and sweaty. That..s how we like it. We sweat blood. At least that..s how the stuff looked like dripping from the ceiling. And I love Danko Jones.
We joined forces with Gigantour again for Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Me and Michael had painfully missed the Drover brothers and drinking at least 5 bottles of wine per night whilst discussing ..real.. heavy metal, a.k.a. Merciful Fate and Carcass. Genital Grinder!
I was seriously impressed by Soulfly! Max is so humble, almost shy and very, very nice. And a brilliant frontman. He has always been, I saw him back in the day with Sepultura. Beneath The Remains.. Joe Nunez is an animal on drums and Marc Rizzo throws in the odd flamenco/metal hybrid solo on his doubleneck axe. And you gotta love the trio-tribal drums. Hope to meet Soulfly again sooner than later on tour. Wonderful people.
Melbourne was the last show. After 8 weeks on the road it felt unreal. Not good. We all jumped onstage for ..Peace Sells... Dave gave a little speech after Megadeth..s set and said a couple of very nice things about us. Giving the fact we are some of the biggest Megadeth fans roaming this planet it truly touched our hearts. We are walking away from this tour with memories and impressions we will surely recall until we die. Some things money can..t buy.
My love and gratitude goes out to EVERYBODY who has been on this tour. We have had a great time with all the bands and got immediate help from the crew people whenever needed. Megadeth..s tourmanager Tracey had an eye on everybody..s wellbeing .. thank you so much for taking us out in Australia! The same goes for Mr. Dave Mustaine himself, who was caring and supportive all the way! Thank you so much!
The next morning we had to jump from the top of the golden Gigantour mountain to the bottomless abyss of 24 hour flying, straight into dark, cold, stormy Sweden. I had the roughest landing ever. The plane was swinging from left to right like a drunken sailor.
Piles of mail, bills and dirty clothes waiting for us. And the kids. They are the only ..sunshine.. we get here atm. It is depressing. Time to write some lyrics.
Skolt! Angela"
Live pictures can be found here:
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/gallery/gigantour_2006/
http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/photos2/061022-gigantour?page=3
http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2006/10/0407.cfm
"This year as I reflect on the tour wondering what to write and not be boring, the one thing that continues to come to mind is the one and only Mr. Dave Mustaine." More
The TalkingMetal.com podcast features an interview with LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton at the 2006 GIGANTOUR stop in Homdel, New Jersey. More
Gigantour Australia - Brisbane 21st October 2006 - Riverstage by Australian Sandman
Caliban - I reckon Caliban are the German Slipknot, but they were pretty boring compared to the rest of the bands, but managed to make their faithful go crazy during there 25-35 minute set. Towards the end they divided up the thrash pit, half on the left, half on the right, and said "Sont move until I say so." Once he started the song he said "FIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!" and the divided pit came back together that was amazing to see.
Arch Enemy - That chick can really scream, she got everybody in the half full (at the time) Riverstage moving, me and my mate Lisa were standing at the front of the grass bank before the thrash pit, and with a little persuasion from the guitarist (he moved his hand as if to say "come in") we were in the pit by the end.
Soulfly - One word sums up soulfly... WOW! Soulfly were absolutley amazing throughout, me and Lisa were right up the front by the barrier a bit to the left of the stage, infront of us were 3 rows of 3 amps (9), and above us were about a stack of 10 amps hanging from the stage roof/ceiling (whatever).
Megadeth - Then at 9pm (or around) was time for the mighty deth. Beforehand people going mad trying to rush to the toilet, beer tent, merchandise tent etc in the half hour before deth. The familiar plane flying over intro only meant one thing. BLACKMAIL THE UNIVERSE!!!
Even from the first few notes of Blackmail The Universe, you could tell that this show was going to be a special one, involving some old and new 'deth tunes. Dave mentioned early in the show that they would play a new song, which got a good reception.
Read more HERE
MEGADETH by Rod Yates -
When Dave Mustaine makes a joke at your expense, it’s difficult to know whether it’s a case of his infamously biting tongue lashing out indiscriminately, or simply just a cutting form of endearment. Given that he’s cracking funnies literally a few seconds after the first "Hello", the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
"Is this Yod Rates?" comes the first question, before he’s even identified himself. (Not that he’d need to - the trademark, nasal Mustaine sneer betrays the owner of the voice immediately.)
"Yod Rates?" he asks again. "It says I’m supposed to call you ’cos you’re doing an interview for I’m A Tosser magazine."
Er, no, that must be a typo, Dave.
But the jokes don’t stop there. A humble enquiry as to how he is today, and how the US leg of the Gigantour is going, brings a frighteningly frank response.
"I’m in a place called Shithole," he mutters.
At no point in this brief but pointed discussion has Mustaine let even the slightest chuckle slip from his lips. And so while you’re pretty sure he’s not in an especially bad mood - indeed you expect a degree of cutting sarcasm and attitude - the absence of mirth never really puts you at ease.
Read more HERE
GIGANTOUR has arrived to Australia. First show of three starts tonight in Brisbane. Check the tour page for details.. More
By Tim Colman of The Sydney Morning Herald:
In a country where a former actor can become president, perhaps a heavy metal guitarist isn't a bad choice for commander-in-chief. Dave Mustaine, frontman and only constant member of thrash-metal veterans Megadeth, wouldn't be stuck for ideas if the role were thrust upon him.
"I'd be a really cool president, I guarantee you, man," he says. "We'd have a party for a few days and then American sentiment in the world would go up.
"I'd say, 'We're taking back our soldiers from Germany, Korea, the Philippines and the Middle East. You guys fight your own f---ing battles. And by the way, if you're in the United States right now and you're illegal you've got a 90-day grace period. Get out.' Teachers would get paid a lot of money, so would cops. Politicians would get shit."
American politicians wouldn't be thrilled, but he'd probably be welcomed with open arms by our leader. The guitarist's feelings towards our PM are just as strong as George Dubya's.
"I think what John Howard said - if you don't want to be an Aussie, get the f--- out - is the coolest thing I've ever heard in the world," Mustaine says.
"I don't know how you feel about that, but I thought that was so Aussie."
Read more HERE
Megadeth is rockin' several MySpace categories at the MyRockin Profile Awards. Although final results are not in till the end of the month, Megadeth has broke into the top 10 for Best Friend, Best Blog, Best Band with a Label and Best Design several times this past week and has hovered back and forth on the top 20. And, in the last couple of days, Megadeth started to climb up the top 100 chart for Best Video/Short Film. You can check current results and vote for Megadeth at http://megadeth.myrockinprofile.com
"Back home finally!
We had a great time in North America [on the Gigantour]... did some nice shows, especially Philadelphia, since that was our only headline gig. It felt good to sweat a little and parts of the show was like... magic!
Got to know Dave [Mustaine] a little, and I don't care what anyone says about the guy, he's great! He always treated us and myself with great respect. I specifically enjoyed sipping Guinness with him in Tokyo. I also got to meet Ronnie Dio, there which was a BIG moment for me. We talked for hours and as he went back to his room he hugged me and said 'You're great, kid!' I still can't believe I've hung out with the guy who sang 'Stargazer' and 'Temple of the King'...insane!
Japan overall was fantastic! It was our first trip there, and I was a little nervous that we wouldn't be up to the task. But we did really well...one of my favourite 'short' shows ever... The crowd was fantastic, all 12,000 of them! Had some great sushi and bough a nice bottle of Sake with me for home.
Now I'm back home in Stockholm and it's great, to say the least. The house is a mess and I need to unpack so much stuff and fix the roof! Do the whole 'man' type stuff you know...
We only have two short tours to go until the big hiatus. South America, unfortunately, got cancelled which is a drag (when will it fukkin' happen for us there???). Oh, the London/U.K. show [November 9] will be filmed for a possible DVD so make sure to be there!"
MTV Australia is presenting a four-hour "Metal Marathon" for the upcoming Australian Gigantour tour this Wednesday, October 18 beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Australian EST). The special edition of the "Headbanger's Ball" show will be hosted by Andrew Haug of Triple J's national metal radio program "Full Metal Racket".
There will be a ton of clips shown including MEGADETH, SOULFLY, ARCH ENEMY, and more!
Read more at http://www.mtv.com.au/
Michael Amott of ARCH ENEMY will be making several in-store appearances in Australia to demonstrate Krank amplifiers and ESP guitars. Entry is free and the first 100 people through the door will receive a signed poster. These in-store signings are taking place on the same days as the ARCH ENEMY live performances.
Michael Amott Australian in-store appearances:
October 17 - 1PM - Perth @ Billy Hyde North Perth
October 19 - 1PM - Adelaide @ Billy Hyde John Reynolds
October 21 - 1PM - Brisbane @ Billy Hyde Music Brisbane
October 22 - 12PM - Sydney @ Billy Hyde Music Camperdown
October 24 - 12PM - Melbourne @ Billy Hyde Music Blackburn
"I picked up this DVD primarily to see Dream Theater and Megadeth. I have never been a big fan of the whole thrash metal scene, or any other genre whose concerts feature a mosh pit. I am more a student of the Sabbath, Priest, Maiden inspired school of heavy metal, with a stronger leaning towards the progressive side of the tracks these days. There have been a few obvious exceptions to my thrash metal aversion, most notably Megadeth and Metallica - hell, some of Dream Theater's heavier songs border on this style, but I'd consider them thrash-light compared to some of these other bands dominating the scene.
The bands on Gigantour are obviously more than just thrash metal - you also get elements of prog, death, alternative, speed, and power metal. I only use thrash as the best overall descriptor. Thrash is essentially a marriage of hardcore punk and heavy metal, infused with technical proficiency, and taken to the heaviest of extremes - where traditional heavy metal is more like blues rock on steroids. I have never been a fan of punk, hardcore, or speed metal, so it is no surprise that I find most thrash bands difficult to digest. Some of the performances on this DVD have certainly helped to reinforce my attitude.
The only other band on this tour, besides Dream Theater and Megadeth, that I was somewhat familiar with was Symphony X, as they were once one of the more promising American progressive metal bands on the scene. I guess they still are. Dream Theater and Megadeth were worth the price of this DVD alone for me, but I took it as an opportunity to evaluate some of the other rising and semi-veteran stars on the heavy metal scene. I viewed this DVD in the order it was presented, from opening band up to the headliners." ...Read entire review HERE
As posted at KNAC.COM
Last year, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth fame created provided the U.S. with an all-new and different rock/metal tour that U.S. needed so badly. He named it GIGANTOUR. He had also selected one of the best festival line-ups that any music enthusiast could ask for with such acts as his own, Dream Theater, Anthrax, Fear Factory, Nevermore, Life Of Agony, and so on. One year later, Dave says he's ready to take on the rest of the world with the second installment of Gigantour. I will admit, I was more thrilled about last year's lineup than this year's (though still interested). Yet, who could say no when tickets are available as low as ten bucks, and the main act has changed their set list around at each stop? Hmm...a Saturday evening of pure head banging fun. Perfect! Let's Go!
Me and a friend of mine made our way to the Bank Atlantic Center (now on its third name in less than a decade). At this time, I must give thanks to Dave for not only coming down to Florida period, but for making several stops in the sunshine state. Most rock touring acts, especially in the world of metal, seem to hardly or never visit the southeast region of the U.S. (let alone the southern tip of the country). How acts and/or booking agents seem to think that they cannot make money on tour in the fourth most populated state in the U.S. is beyond me. Megadeth has been one of the few acts to make a stop in my area most of the time. Much appreciate. I also want to make a criticism toward the venue at how in the world they think it's legit to charge $15 bucks for parking. Almost as bad as the Miami Dolphins down here ($20). We both agreed that we park across the street at the mall next time. Anyway, while waiting in line for about twenty minutes and heading up the elevator, we heard who I presumed was the Smashup starting things off. Later, I was able to confirm it was them. For what I was able to hear, they sounded pretty good. They basically finished by time we sat down. So, that is all I can really say about them. From the club section we were sitting in, we had a clear view of the entire stage including behind the main stage, and the road crew in plain sight. It was easily to see them working on the different stage setups as each band came and left the stage...
...Megadeth came out the same way they did at last year's Gigantour: A blast of pyro and into "Blackmail The Universe." Much was similar to last year's show. Dave and Co. played a blistering ninety minute set with about eighteen songs total (with no tech. problems at all....sorry Montreal). The band sounded great just like last year. There were a few things different this time around. The obvious being bassist James Lomenzo from recent BLS fame. He fits right into the fold. What was also different was the setlist, for those who saw the first show's setlist posted on Blabbermouth figured it would be the same set, that's not the case. Besides the new song "Washington's Next" (which sounded pretty good...right where the band last left off with The System Has Failed), fans in Ft. Lauderdale got treated to such fan favorites as "Take No Prisoners" (on of my favorites from my favorite Megadeth album R.I.P.), "Devil's Island," "The Mechanix" (glad to hear any song from Killing is My Business....), and big surprise "Liar" (Dave has stated that he put the song into the set the night before because he heard Lamb of God jamming on it. If anything, Florida fans thank you Lamb of God for doing so). The biggest difference, however, would be the two lifting cameras hovering around the arena. During the set, Dave had announced to the audience that this stop on the tour would be one filmed for the next Gigantour. Again, thank you Dave for realizing that there are a good number of die hard, fired up metal fans here.
Altogether, Gigantour was another enjoyable experience. Lots of good music at a fan-friendly price. We can only hope that tours like Gigantour can be a trend here in the U.S. A toast to this year tour, and here's to the next.
Read more HERE
Check out the revised playlist! MEGADETH, SOULFLY, ARCH ENEMY, CALIBAN! GIGANTOUR AUSTRALIA!
Angela Gossow of ARCH ENEMY recently posted on her myspace page:
"Although the Gigantour isn't over yet (we will be meeting up with MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD and OPETH in Japan and Australia again), I got the 'end-of-tour' blues. I had to say goodbye to a lot of wonderful people already. I am sitting in a stupid hotel room at Orlando airport. I feel lonely, I miss the tour bus and always having somebody around. No laughter and music pouring through the aircon whilst I am trying to fall asleep. This room isn't moving. And it is way too big for me. I can't relax here.
I want to be in Japan NOW. And I don't really want to go back to Sweden. I don't miss 'home' anymore. I don't need four rooms, stuffed wardrobes, cupboards and a big TV. I never owned a car anyway. All I need to be well fits into one bag. No drama, no worries, just the road, the bus, the venue, cool people.
The last couple of days were intense. We had the guitar contest winner R. Kelly (yes, this is REALLY his name! Ryan Kelly!) on stage with us in Tampa, Florida. He is 17 years old, from Seattle. And nailed that 'Ravenous' solo without throwing up or fainting on stage. I would have done both simultaneously. This young man has nerves of steel!
The Gigantour crew finally shot the live footage for the upcoming DVD in Sunrise, Florida. We gave it all, so it should turn out killer!
Orlando was the last Gigantour show in the U.S. We have almost a week off now until Loud Park festival, Tokyo. I thought I'd give it all and scream my voice to pieces that night. I really went for it, but didn't succeed. My voice doesn't even have a scratch. I have been absolutely careless with my voice on this tour. Drinking wine and sitting up talking nonsense to 5 in the morning. No voice rest. Fuck all this. My voice is doing better than ever. I hope Melissa [Cross, Angela's vocal coach] isn't reading this.
To everybody I met at the shows/signings, shared dressing rooms, thoughts and drinks with: Thank you for being so nice and patient with me! I have had a wonderful time in the U.S. ... again! I love your friendliness, passion and your wholefoods markets! I will miss you A LOT!"
As reported by 'Edward the Metal'
"At the Orlando, FL GIGANTOUR show, fans of LAMB OF GOD received an unexpected surprise. Near the end of their set, the band stopped to introduce 'a longtime fan,' at which time the male fan came from backstage with his girlfriend. The man seemed to have a hard time collecting his thoughts as he mumbled into the mic that the girl was his life and then dropped to his knees. As he spoke, he remained on his knees for about five seconds whereupon he arose, exclaiming 'I do not get on my knees for anyone! Will you marry me?' The girl said 'Yes', and then exited the stage. The crowd of about two thousand eight hundred was mostly applauding but some seemed disturbed that the set was interrupted. LOG then dedicated 'Something To Die For' to the couple and ended their set shortly thereafter."
Ryan Kelly of Orlando, FL was the winner of the guitar hero contest and played on stage with ARCH ENEMY in Tampa.
"So the guy who won the contest came backstage and we ran through the song a little together and we gave him a pep talk (no beer though - the dude was 17 years old!). When Angela announced on stage that we had a guest in "Ravenous", the audience was excited and so were we! Anyway....the guy actually nailed the solo and I think he a had a good time, we sure did!
Crazy energy on stage tonight - we should do this again sometime!"
Michael Amott
Check out the pics in the Gallery section! More and Ryan's story in the journal section! More
By Justin Donnelly of TheMetalForge.com:
Gigantour, the roaming metal festival conceived and brought to life by Megadeth vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine as an alternative to the rather stale and predictable Ozzfest, was a huge success on it’s first run from July through to September in 2005 (With the line up of Anthrax, Fear Factory, Nevermore, Symphony X, Life Of Agony, Dry Kill Logic, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Bobaflex, Megadeth and Dream Theater), and with its 2006 return run (From September through to October, and featuring Megadeth, Lamb Of God, Opeth, Overkill, Into Eternity, Sanctity and The Smashup), the alternative tour is unanimously being hailed as an even bigger triumph.
Looking beyond the U.S., Mustaine has decided to bring Gigantour down to Australia for three dates, with Swedish melodic death metal act Arch Enemy, metalcore act Caliban and Brazilian tribal/nu-metal giants Soulfly joining headliners Megadeth on the bill.
As Gigantour pulls into Charleston (North Carolina), I caught up with the relaxed and peaceful Dave Mustaine (Who had just finished off nine holes of golf and a hot shower) to discuss the release of Megadeth’s new album, the band’s live album recorded in Argentina, the move from Sanctuary Records to Roadrunner Records and their impending return to Australian shores with Gigantour.
"Gigantour is about the spirit of heavy metal, not just Megadeth. It’s not about Dave Mustaine. It’s not about any one band. It’s about metal. And the fans understand that. Gigantour has been fantastic and beautiful. We’ve seen fans sacrificing cattle and young critters, so everything’s been perfect. And that Gigantour spirit is so dominant in Australia. Australia’s a very hardcore country, with a huge number of metal enthusiasts. They deserve this. It’s been a long time coming for fans down there to have a festival that’s pure metal, without the bullshit. They need the real deal, and you know what? I’m just the kind of guy to help them get it together. We’re getting into partnerships with the promoter down there right now to make Gigantour an annual thing. This is something that’s going to continue on every year now. We only have a couple more shows to go and then we’re heading down your way. The Big Day Out will soon become the small day out motherfuckers."
It’s been eighteen months since they last visited Australian shores (Back in April 2005 on their Blackmail The Universe World Tour), and according to Mustaine, another tour of Australia is well overdue.
"I’ve always found Australia to be quite a misunderstood country. People don’t realise that it has all the beauty and charm of England, but the sex appeal of being at Venice Beach (California). The people there are all healthy and good looking. I also love that mentality your government has, which is ‘Well if you don’t want to be Australian, then get the fuck out!’ Bravo! That’s Dave Mustaine like politics right there. I’m so happy to be coming back, because Australia really is a fantastic country."
Read more HERE
Chat live with Dave Mustaine in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY at 5PM EDT/21:00 GMT More
Hannah McLean of Orlando, FL is the winner of the Ultimate Gigantour Fan contest. Congratulations, Hannah!!
Hannah and her sister Leigh will meet up with the Gigantour video crew in the morning, filmed preparing for the show, be set up with tickets and VIP backstage passes, and will meet MEGADETH at the end of the show! All filmed to be a part of next year's Gigantour DVD!! Details of their experience, and pics will be posted on the site over the next day or two!
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!
Chat live with Angela Gossow of ARCH ENEMY in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY at 3PM EDT/19:00 GMT More
Chat live with vocalist Watt White of THE SMASHUP TODAY 6PM EDT/22:00 GMT More
One lucky fan will be able to play on stage with ARCH ENEMY in Tampa Bay, Florida TOMORROW OCT 6!!... More
Chat live with Tim Roth of INTO ETERNITY TODAY 2PM EDT/18:00 GMT More
ORLANDO, FLORIDA residents: Send in your photo and a short paragraph, fifty words or less telling us why you are the Ultimate Gigantour Fan! If you are chosen, the GIGANTOUR video crew will come to your home to film you getting ready for the show at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando on Oct 8, escort you and a friend to the show, set you up with VIP backstage passes and tickets, and you will meet MEGADETH at the end of the show! All will be filmed to be included on next year's GIGANTOUR 2006 DVD! E-mail your submissions to webmaster@gigantour.com. Winner will be notified Oct 7. Contest open to Orlando, Florida residents only. Good luck!
A review by Dave Wedge of THE BOSTON HERALD:
Dave Mustaine is best known to many as the dude who got booted from Metallica because he drank even more than the rest of the guys in a band once dubbed "Alcoholica."
But since his 1983 firing from the world’s most famous metal band, he’s done pretty well for himself, selling millions of records fronting thrash-metal heroes Megadeth.
He’s continued to have some ups and downs, but at Gigantour at the Bank of America Pavilion Friday night, he proved he’s in top form, burning through an hour’s worth of material from Megadeth’s catalog.
Mustaine is a great metal frontman and an extremely underrated guitar demigod when he’s at his best. Playing a black Flying V, he showed off his impressive chops with ear-shredding solos and monster riffs.
While many young groups immitate and pay homage to ’80s hair bands, Megadeth are a living, breathing testament to the power of pure metal. And they’ve rarely, if ever, sounded better than they did Friday night, ripping into such classics as "Skin O’ My Teeth" and "In My Darkest Hour." New material was equally power-packed, especially "United Abominations," a scathing indictment of the United Nations’ foreign policies.
More than aptly setting the stage for Megadeth were surprise chart darlings Lamb of God, whose latest disc, "Sacrament," opened many eyes in the industry when it debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard chart last month. A punch-to-the-gut metal band in the vein of Pantera, LOG ignited a fretboard frenzy that crushed those packed tightly into the front of the half-full Pavilion.
"Walk With Me Through Hell" from "Sacrament" was unbridled intensity with its intricate breakdowns and pounding groove. With a massive wall of sound behind them and a frantic light show, LOG delivered a nonstop hour-long onslaught.
The crowd was more than happy to oblige vocalist Randy Blythe’s request to erupt into a circle mosh pit that gave credence to New England’s reputation as a hardcore epicenter.
Blythe offered up his take on why his band’s latest disc charted so high, saying, "It shows we don’t want any more Britney Spears. We want some real music." The band then broke into a fist-pumping version of "Now You’ve Got Something to Die For," from 2004’s "Ashes of the Wake."
The speed-core barrage continued before they finished with a vicious one-two punch of the anthemic new single, "Redneck," and "Black Label," from their disc "New American Gospel."
In its second year, the Gigantour, which was started by Mustaine, also included early sets from old-school thrashers Overkill and Swedish metal bands Arch Enemy and Opeth.
Chat live with Shawn Drover of MEGADETH in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room Tuesday, Oct 3 at 5:00PM EDT/21:00 GMT More
Do you have what it takes to play on stage at GIGANTOUR with ARCH ENEMY?! Learn the lead guitar solo for the song 'Ravenous' (the solo at 3:00 - 3:12 in the song), show up at the ESP/Line 6 booth immediately after venue doors open at the Tamp Bay, Florida concert on Oct 6. ARCH ENEMY will pick three finalists then pick a grand prize winner who will be a guest on stage and play the lead solo during the song with ARCH ENEMY! Do not bring your own guitar, guitar and amplification will be provided by ESP and Line 6. Good luck!
A review by Ben Ratliff of THE NEW YORK TIMES:
"UNIONDALE, N.Y., Sept. 28 - Megadeth temporarily dissolved in 2002, after 19 years, when its leader, Dave Mustaine, suffered some nasty nerve damage in his left arm. As he took time off to rehabilitate, he must have noticed that Ozzfest, the metal tour run by Ozzy Osbourne, was doing rather well. Once back in action, he led his own large-bill metal tour, called Gigantour, with Megadeth as headliner.
Now in its second go-round, Gigantour is a funny proposition for Megadeth. It presents the group as a kind of metal apotheosis - even with more successful younger bands on the bill, it’s the one everyone’s really come to see, the band with most power and credibility among the middle-aged and the teenagers. But in a larger context it presents the group as part of a trend, following the path that aging hard-rock bands must take to keep rolling. Slayer has been headlining its own similar tour, called Unholy Alliance; Korn has been doing it with the Family Values tour since 1998.
Tickets for this show were $43 for eight bands - about half the price of an Ozzfest ticket. The theme of Gigantour is guitar expertise: no bands are allowed that haven’t attained a sufficient level of technique. By a certain logic of hard-line metal aesthetics, that’s maintaining quality. You wonder, though, if it’s also reducing the audiences.
On Thursday Gigantour needed only half the capacity of Nassau Coliseum. A crowd of this size would have comfortably filled a medium-sized club: Roseland, or maybe even Irving Plaza. It felt sparser in a hockey stadium, with particle-board laid over the rink. But, whatever. A cold room, bossy security detail, sponsorship by an Xbox game ("Gears of War"), strobe-effect stage lighting and pyrotechnics: this must be metal in 2006.
In Megadeth’s newest lineup Mr. Mustaine mostly plays rhythm guitar, next to the lead guitarist, Glen Drover. Their styles are very different, and when they traded solos, the juxtaposition could be fascinating. Mr. Mustaine was one of speed-metal’s originators, and his double-time riffs are propulsive; bending over his guitar, long blond tresses hanging down, he gives his solos the direct feeling of wrestling with the music as he plays it, with some chaos and aggression. Mr. Drover has a bigger, brighter sound, and his style tends to be more licks-and-scales-oriented, each solo forming perfect and rather dull symmetry; he sounds more abstracted from the product.
The band played songs from across its catalog, many about the shame of not living up to your promises, and suggesting violent retribution of one kind or another. It was a 90-minute immersion in a style that felt old and decorous, sprinting in its verses and ballooning into big-melody choruses.
The supporting lineup could give you a fast education in the music’s last 25 years, including the early thrash-metal band Overkill; the Swedish progressive-metal band Opeth, which gets into sophisticated, dense and gorgeous sonic territory; and the latest metal band to crack the Billboard Top 10, Lamb of God, from Virginia.
Lamb of God occupies another hard-rock position that was first struck shortly after the invention of speed-metal: the equal balance between hardcore punk and metal. It has become the new standard-bearing band for that crossover area, and live, it transmits the idea constantly, musically and otherwise.
The band’s guitar solos were baroque and technique-heavy; meanwhile, its singer Randy Blythe, short-haired and skinny and not your typical metal guy, threw his middle-pitch voice down into the metal growl, making specific between-song appeals both to the hardcore kids and the metalheads in the crowd.
Gigantour continues through Oct. 8, with shows at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., tonight and the House of Blues in Atlantic City tomorrow night; gigantour.com."
MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD, OPETH, ARCH ENEMY, OVERKILL, INTO ETERNITY, SANCTITY and THE SMASHUP to challenge their crews at minor league baseball stadium in Norfolk, VA.
It will be bands vs. crew this Monday, October 2 when GIGANTOUR takes a break in Norfolk, VA for a friendly softball game. The game is taking place at Norfolk, Virginia's Harbor Park minor league baseball stadium on a day off for the fast and furious traveling festival, which kicked off in early September and wraps October 8.
The 4:00 PM game is open to the public and is free to any fan bringing food donations. All food will be donated to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, which is a warehouse or "bank" where recovered and donated food is collected, sorted and distributed to over 600 agencies (http://www.foodbankonline.org ). "This is an easy way for us to give something back to the community," says MEGADETH frontman and GIGANTOUR creator DAVE MUSTAINE, "and last year's game was a lot of fun. This year, we wanted to do it bigger, in a proper stadium with dugouts and everything. And letting fans and neighbors in on it, for charity, really raises the stakes. The roadies think they're going to pound us, but they've never seen some of these drummers swing a bat."
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM (doors open at 3:30PM)
Location: Harbor Park Stadium, 150 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA
Musicians from all the bands in last summer’s GIGANTOUR have signed various items from the celebrity baseball game played in NYC last August.
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports music education and its many benefits through the donation and repair of musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide. All proceeds from auctioned items will support instrumental music education. Auction details here!
Guitarist Tim Roth of INTO ETERNITY has issued the following update:
"Being on the road with MEGADETH, this band has had multiple highs and spiraling lows as well. My best friend Dave Stephenson died, out of nowhere of cancer. Today is his funeral and I am away from home and won't be there for him one final last time. For this I am truly sorry! I feel terrible for this. Dave would have been out here with us selling our merch for us. Every night I am dedicating a song to his memory.
The shows have been a dream come true for us. I cannot believe how nice the staff and the other bands have been to us. Having LAMB OF GOD give us props on stage to 7,000 people was a highlight for us. MEGADETH has been very good to us. It is great to hang everyday with the Drover brothers. I have total respect for every band on this package. Everybody works hard day in and day out.
We have had a few setbacks on this tour. Our bus broke down in Texas a week ago and we missed two shows. I'm sorry to everyone who traveled to us on those dates. We will be back!! Yesterday [Sept 25] our session guitar player bailed on us in Toronto, giving us no notice. He WAS a great friend of ours and we are really shocked by this.The road can really scare some people. Who in the hell would leave an arena tour with MEGADETH??? The shows have been going on as planned. We are doing all future gigs on this tour without adding a second guitar player. When we get back home, then we can start a new search...again.
Our next Gigantour show is at the Bell Center in Montréal. We hope to see everyone there!!"
Angela Gossow of ARCH ENEMY has posted the following message on her MySpace page:
"Chicago, Columbus and Detroit rocked! Especially Chicago the crowd was insane! And to everybody who is coming out the signings: Thank you for buying our stuff and your wonderful words. Meeting you all is pure fuel for the soul.
Last night I joined MEGADETH on stage during the chorus of 'Peace Sells'. It was a 10-seconds-ultra-rush. I stood at the side of the stage, not feeling too nervous. Then you get the 'Go' sign from the stage manager, who is also watching the fireworks. I run up to Dave's mic and then suddenly IT hit me. I AM STANDING NEXT TO DAVE MUSTAINE, SINGING PEACE SELLS AND HEARING IS VOICE TOGETHER WITH MINE. I believe my heart exploded at this moment. And my brain. I got it on video cam so I can watch it again. I can hardly believe I WAS THERE. MUST. DO. IT. AGAIN. We will put the file on the website in a few days..
We ended up in MEGADETH's dressing room that night. Fast-forward at this point, haha. I am not sure how we made it back on OUR bus. I know I had a huge craving for anything carb- and sugar-fueled. I believe I had one hand in a tortilla chips bag while holding a bar of chocolate in the other. I recall listening to early NIHILIST demos and finding it MINDBLOWING. I am amazed I managed to brush my teeth and getting into bed. Any conversation I had with whoever met me that night: I hope I made sense. I thought the world was hilarious and the floor felt like rubber. Enough, you are getting the point.
Tomorrow we will be in Toronto! I heard the venue is almost sold out! This is going to be a blast. We will record our set live, so I hope our friends out there will make some serious noise for us!"
by Jeff Pizek of Chicago's Daily Herald
"Headlining the second annual Gigantour at Chicago’s Congress Theater Friday night, Megadeth treated fans to a finessed set brimming with confidence. Although their tourmates largely outshone Megadeth in sonic force, the quartet held up alongside some of today’s most revered metal bands.
As led by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine since 1983, Megadeth brought technical finesse and challenging song structures to thrash. For a sad spell in the ’90s, their ramshackle extravagance turned into conventional melodic hard rock, as Megadeth followed Metallica into mainstream radio stardom, but could not maintain their longtime rivals’ commercial success. Mustaine has tried to fix fan fallout on recent albums, which although housing a few tunes up to the band’s old standard, overall felt like a half-hearted attempt to recapture past glories.
Mustaine sounded noticeably restrained on the mic Friday, yet he and his assembled players took advantage of chestnuts like "Wake Up Dead" and "Hangar 18," wherein vocals are almost an afterthought among their labyrinths of bracing guitar riffs. A new song, "Washington’s Next," proved that while Mustaine’s music has grown less antagonistic with time, the cynicism that energized vintage Megadeth (and thrash metal at large) is still very much alive.
As main support, Virginia’s Lamb of God was perhaps overqualified. "Sacrament," the band’s fifth album of harsh, choppy thrash, debuted at number eight on the Billboard Top 200 last month, cementing their spot as one of the most popular metal bands in America today. As guitarists Willie Adler and Mark Morton stomped and squealed through complex crowd-pleasers like "11th Hour" and the new "Walk With Me," it was clear that on top of their prodigious skills, Lamb of God commands a mosh pit more capably than that of any of their peers.
Read more HERE
by Amanda Chamberlain of the Salt Lake Community College Globe
The Gigantour, a six-week music fest founded by Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, blasted metal fans at the E Center on Sept. 15, 2006. The show featured big names like Arch Enemy, Lamb of God, Overkill and Opeth. Yet metal has never looked so poised.
Ten minutes before opening band The Smash Up took the stage, I wandered into the depths of the E Center and into Arch Enemy's dressing room where I was introduced to Michael Amott, Arch Enemy's founder and prodigal lead guitarist. From the flag drop handshake, the Swedish-born shredder presented a pleasantly sophisticated, laid-back demeanor to accompany his cherry-red hair and impeccable posture.
Amott, who founded the melodic death metal band in 1996, said he appreciated the Gigantour's "artist friendly" atmosphere, where the band is able to perform longer than on Ozzfest (which they played in 2005). Amott also said the band is trying to work on their next album in the midst of all the touring.
"We're trying to do two things at the same time, which is difficult for a guy," Amott joked. "I keep writing new music; always getting new ideas."
When asked about road life, Amott kept a positive outlook.
"I never really complain about it because I know there are a lot of people on the outside looking in that would really like to do [my job]," he said.
"We get to play full time, travel, and also have fans everywhere," Amott added. We're very lucky in the sense that we have fans all over the world."
Read more HERE
In her latest blog entry at Myspace, ARCH ENEMY'S checks in from Milwaukee.
"Hello from Gigantour!!! We are still alive and kickin'.
Today we played Milwaukee, the Eagles Ballroom. Great crowd but not the best sound. It's a huge, echoing hall, not necessarily the best set up for a lot of pumping bass and thundering metal drums. It is great though hearing a huge crowd singing 'Peace Sells... But Who is Buying'!!! These lyrics are timeless..
We just got a wonderful card from Dave Mustaine [MEGADETH]. Words of friendship plus a bottle of champagne. I decided not to cry of joy but to try that wonderful fizzy stuff instead. I have to admit, gestures like this touch my heart. The other day in Oklahoma, Shawn Drover [MEGADETH drummer] personally investigated the shower situation for us and made sure we got to use them.
It is interesting how low the ego levels are when you tour with big metal bands. We experienced the same uncomplicated, friendly and helpful attitude when we toured with IRON MAIDEN and with SLAYER. I have never understood why a headlining band won't let the support acts into their dressing room where usually the only shower of the venue is while they are on stage. If you are afraid to have stuff stolen take it out. We have never had any such bad experiences and we will gladly share dressing rooms etc in the future. I remember a couple of tours where I had to plead and scramble for every single shower. I hated it.
[By the way], whoever out there believes to know Dave and talks down on him I would like to see YOU pulling off what he does. He is setting up a serious metal tour, giving smaller bands like us the opportunity to reach a larger and new crowd and he pays us for that! MEGADETH headline this tour night after night, delivering an impressive set and a kick-ass live show. I doubt they will ever cancel a show. He is the first one up in the morning, and the last one who hits the sack. Just thinking about his workload and double-duty makes me feel dizzy.
It is funny to watch people backstage. The roughest, most dangerous looking dudes with the sickest growls stir a little bit of honey into their camomile tea before the show. I prefer the green tea. Chai-style. Most of us try to ignore the load of greasy, delicious catering and opt for the salad leaves instead. Lean and mean looks better on stage than fat and tired. Several people have been spotted doing Yoga, Pilates and meditation after the show instead of partying. I have become an expert in balancing on one foot on a Jagermeister bottle while twisting my arms behind my neck and saying 'Ooohm' at the same time. With a cup of throat coat tea juggling on my head. There might be a little shot of Jager in it though.. before I turn into a total saint..
We got a good run of shows ahead of us now. Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, the bloody border crossing (everybody has to smoke at least 5 bongs each to get rid of that herbal stuff) and then its Canada Toronto and Montreal! Very much looking forward to these shows the Canadians know how to blow off the rooftop!
We are also working on new tunes, the guys are shredding away on the tour bus. Watching a metal show every day is very inspiring. I personally believe the last two ARCH ENEMY albums were too harmless. We got to get the grit, bite, speed and danger back into our music. Less controlled, more riffs, melodies, solos, different parts, breaks, sudden changes. It will be interesting to see how far we can take it."
Chat live with D.D. Verni of OVERKILL in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room Friday, Sept 22 at 2:00PM CDT/19:00 GMT More
Guitarist Tim Roth of Into Eternity has issued this update:
"So our little bus broke down the other day. We were told it was going to be done this morning, but looks like it’s going to be another day. We're going to miss our Nashville show tonight [Sept. 20] and Milwaukee tomorrow [Sept. 21], Chicago [Sept. 22] should still be on. We're really sorry and want to invite all our fans from Milwaukee to make the drive down to Chicago to see us. Thanks also to everyone who's been checking out our YouTube lessons, we've been sitting around our hotel room reading all your comments, great stuff. Take care and sorry again."
"We're somewhere in the middle of the Gigantour tour and it's alright! I miss home, my daughter and wife!
We aint doing nothing this time around. Not even drinking that much.
Thanks to Chris for giving me a copy of 'Guitar Hero' for the PS2. Man, we're hooked (I suck!). Mendez is the king! We play on expert level and everyone that we show it to have been hooked! My goal is to get [MEGADETH's Dave] Mustaine on the bus and have him play 'Symphony of Destruction' [by MEGADETH], which is included.
When we go on stage for our show myself and Mendez have those fucking coloured buttons in our heads for our OWN songs! And you can just forget about listening to music anymore. We go... 'That would be a tough passage on hard level even...'
Other than that, nothing's really happening. I've gambled a little bit and guess I'm hooked on that now.
The other bands are very nice. We hang with ARCH ENEMY the most. I've bumped into Mustaine a couple of times and he's been very nice to us! I was up on stage for his birthday in Phoenix which was kinda fun. But his birthday is on the same day as my daughter, so my mind was wondering.
I wanna go home, people, but the shows will be good, so come see us, will ya??"
Chat live with Glen Drover of MEGADETH in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room Tuesday, Sept 19 at 3:00PM CDT/20:00 GMT More
Head over to the FYE booth at the show and sign up to get a photo with MEGADETH! Offer is limited! Details at the show
Chat live with Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth of OVERKILL in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY, Sunday at 2:00PM MDT/20:00 GMT More
Chat live with Chris Adler of LAMB OF GOD in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY at 2:30PM MDT/20:30GMT More
By Scott Iwasaki - Deseret Morning News
Dave Mustaine, the founder of Megadeth, and a guitarist and singer, says he organized the metal festival Gigantour because of his love for the music.
"It's a guitar gig," Mustaine said by phone from Los Angeles prior to a rehearsal. "We have been watching and keeping an eye on a lot of bands. If they love playing guitar and play good heavy music that's technically outstanding, then we ask and see if they want to be a part of the tour."
This year, headbangers will be treated to sets by Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, Sanctity and Smashup.
Mustaine says he's just happy that he's able to do another Gigantour. "The first tour last year caught people's attention. And we felt we needed to do another one. I know there are so many people who want to see this become a yearly outing. I'd like to see that."
Read entire story HERE
Chat live with Angela Gossow of ARCH ENEMY in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY at 3PM MDT/21:00GMT More
In her latest blog entry at Myspace, ARCH ENEMY'S Angela Gossow talks about "One Week into Gigantour, Las Vegas and Backstage Impressions.."
Yesterday we hit Las Vegas. It felt weird walking thru all these hollowed eyed zombies at the slot machines and right into a metal show. Quite the opposite vibes. It was our first show we actually played well. And the crowd was great too. Loved to play a smaller venue, it kinda feels more metal.
This tour is great. I hear plenty of solos, 8 minute-songs, screaming, the occasional Rob Halford wail (Stu from Into Eternity got that one down pretty well) and all-time thrash metal classics. Holy Wars! The absence of hardcore-shouting-breakdowns is very refreshing. In fact, I could do without Get in the moshpit and get fucked up for the rest of my life.
Dave Mustaine carried our passed-out Fredrik onto the tourbus after the Margarita party in San Bernardino. At 3 am in the morning.. The other day, he asked me if we need anything, if we are happy, if there is anything he could do for us. Holy shit! We are having a backstage room with shower everyday. We get catering everyday. No stage-manager has screamed at us yet for running over 20 seconds. Everybody is nice and treats us well. WHAT ELSE COULD WE NEED???
We are in Heavy Metal heaven.
Rust In Peace,
Angela
Chat live with James LoMenzo of MEGADETH in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY, Wednesday 1PM MST/20:00 GMT More
Friends,
The first week ended and there were a lot of ups and downs, but we are firing on all cylinders right now, and we are so excited to be playing for you all this year again. I can't wait to check out all of the bands and we are all becoming fast friends and thick as thieves backstage.
We had a huge "Gigantourture Chamber Party" last night thrown by my Manager Kevin Gasser, and he said, "if we run out of drinks, someone is going to get it!" and believe it or not we had the best time getting to know each other over drinks after the clock was punched out.
Dave Mustaine
Chat live with vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt of OPETH in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY, Tuesday 3:30PM PDT/22:30 GMT More
Angela Gossow has posted the following message on the Arch Enemy official web site:
Hey,
Just checking in quickly from the Gigantour. Its all going great, Dave Mustaine greeted everybody in person the first day - a wonderful gesture which certainly sets the tone for this tour: Nice people, relaxed and friendly backstage atmosphere + KICK ASS METAL! It’s a brilliant line-up and well worth getting your lazy butt off the couch! So get moving and bang that head that doesn’t bang!
We are doing the FYE signings at every show, so be sure not to miss this opportunity to get your stuff signed! See you there!
Love,
Angela
Chat live with lead guitarist Zeff Childress of SANCTITY in the GIGANTOUR Chat Room TODAY, Sunday 1PM PDT/20:00GMT More
By Michael Deeds - McClatchy Newspapers
Gigantour is just beginning as a traveling heavy-metal festival, but it’s the first sign of the end for its founder, Megadeth singer-guitarist Dave Mustaine.
"The time that I’m going to be out beating the drum on the road is nearing an end," Mustaine says, reflecting on a quarter century of headbanging. "I want to be able to pass the torch. I don’t want to go off into retirement and not be able to share everything I’ve learned ... not give some of it back. It’s time for the whole thing to go full circle."
Now in its second year, the eight-band, 25-market Gigantour is an ear-splitting farewell from one of metal’s most influential figures-a sort of thank-you to a genre that provided him with fame and fortune. Headlined once again by Megadeth, the 6 ½-hour festival also features Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, Into Eternity, Sanctity and The Smashup.
...Gigantour should do the trick for anybody who loves the crunch of power chords and squeal of pinch harmonics. When choosing acts for Gigantour, Mustaine’s criteria boiled down to one molten must-have: Blazing guitar. All the bands on Gigantour boast a jaw-dropping level of technical proficiency, which will be showcased on two stages.
"It’s definitely a guitar players’ thing," Mustaine says of Gigantour. "And some of the guys, they play guitar in extreme metal or death metal bands and stuff like that, and the singing isn’t quite necessarily my style of singing. But one thing’s undeniable: The guitar playing is fantastic. That’s all I care about."
Read entire story HERE
Last year's fast and furious inaugural festival tour arrives in stores on deluxe 2-DVD set today. Both the CD, and DVD configurations capture 2005's heavy metal onslaught that was hailed as the best metal bill of the year, with Revolver magazine calling it “the mother of all shred fests.” Organized by MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE as a tour featuring “only bands whose musicianship matches their ability to melt faces with sheer volume and power” ( Miami Herald ), GIGANTOUR features unforgettable performances by MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER and FEAR FACTORY as well as Anthrax (CD only), Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex.
The GIGANTOUR DVD set encompasses a special bonus disc with all the no-holds-barred offstage action: tour bus visits, backstage drama, practical jokes plus interviews with the people who make a national package tour happen, like tour managers, pyrotechnics experts and band members. The GIGANTOUR CD contains three songs not included on the DVD.
Ticket presales will be available to all MegaFanClub members this Wednesday for Orlando, FL. Public sales go up Friday!
Gigantour DVD review from unratedmagazine.com by Melanie (Sass) Falina
"This is a tour," said Megadeth front man and the conceptualist of Gigantour, Dave Mustaine, "for people who love the guitar solo."
...As is this musical conglomeration of highlights of 2005's Gigantour, one of the top music tours last year. This two-disc DVD is a loud, in-your-face, and yet - lighthearted - showcase of not only Megadeth, but all the diverse bands Mustaine invited to join him for his metal festival.
Segments between each group show band members talking about how they came to be on the tour, and Mustaine also elaborates on how he came to choose the bands. Bobaflex, for example, was chosen partly because Mustaine's son is a fan of the group.
Mustaine not only comes across as the metal-head Megadeth fans know and love, but also the well spoken and intelligent man who brainstormed his project, and is so much more than just the long haired guy sneering over his guitar.
Some exceptional moments on the DVD include...
Bobaflex performing 'Better For Me' - A nice blend of harmonies combined with a raw, crushing power. Bobaflex is also as entertaining to watch as they are to listen to, as each member gives a unique and colorful performance.
Dry Kill Logic's union of classic thrash with a contemporary sound performing 'Paper Tiger' and 'Lost.'
Nevermore doing 'Born' - Overflowing with a heady dose of top-notch metal guitar licks. And during 'Enemies' there are several shots of the feral mosh pit.
Symphony X's Russel Allen remarked about Gigantour: "We just knew we need to do this." 'Inferno' and 'Sins And Shadows' showcased the bands Yngwie-ish guitar and keyboard parts, and put on a show of solid, traditional metal.
Life Of Agony really shows that they've got the goods. 'Day He Died' with it's concise grooves and modern sound. And during 'Love To Let You Down,' Life Of Agony's vocalist, Keith Caputo , is practically crawling out of his skin on stage, but there's no doubt this guy is going to take this band to the top.
Video game superstars - Fear Factory - doing 'Transgression' and 'Archetype,' and pounding out the metal with authoritative aggression.
Dream Theater's 'Glass Prison' and 'Panic Attack.' What can possibly be said about Dream Theater that's never been said before? Their performance, as per the norm for this band, is the culmination of a group of musicians each on top of their game, all working in unison and running like a high performance hot rod whilst never coming up for air.
And the man of the hour - Megadeth's Dave Mustaine and company performing 'She Wolf' - proving that you don't have to unleash guttural screams in order to rock. Also, goose bump inspiring audience participation in 'A Tour Le Monde,' in addition to 'Kick The Chair.'
Disc Two is loaded with interviews, back stage footage, and practical jokes. There's also an informal Pyro 101 course with the pyrotechnics dude, tours of the band's buses, and a tribute to Dimebag Darrell. Scenes from the Gigantour softball game critiqued by Major League Baseball hottie Mike Piazza - which resulted in the auctioning off of the uniforms to benefit The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, an organization which supports music education.
There are also snippets of the Anthrax guys on and back stage, and giving Mustaine a personal performance in his dressing room in honor of his birthday. Sadly, there are no full-length songs by Anthrax included on the DVD.
Saying this DVD is a must for any metal music fan is a bit cliché, but it's also a huge understatement.
PREORDER "UNITED ABOMINATIONS" AT GIGANTOUR AND RECEIVE A LIMITED EDITION UNITED ABOMINATIONS LITHOGRAPH!
Beginning Wednesday, Sept 6, everyone attending the GIGANTOUR tour will be able to preorder a copy of the forthcoming Megadeth CD "United Abominations" (in stores early 2007) exclusively at the FYE booth at all of the venues. Along with your purchase of the new record, you will also receive a hand numbered, limited edition Megadeth lithograph which you get to have signed by the band at the show!
Charlie Steffens of KNAC.COM recently conducted an interview Dave Mustaine
KNAC.COM: The Gigantour lineup this year seems to be less eclectic than last year.
MUSTAINE: Eclectic?
KNAC.COM: Wouldn’t you say it was rather eclectic last year?
MUSTAINE: Tell me how your using eclectic and I’ll tell you if it was.
KNAC.COM: Well, you had Life of Agony on one stage and Nevermore on the main stage. It was a mixed bag of different bands, from speed to death to progressive metal on up to Life of Agony...
MUSTAINE: Yeah, it was supposed to be that way, brother. Here’s why: I’ve done a bunch of festivals over my career, especially over in Europe. And, the European festivals-if you haven’t gone there, Charlie-they’re different, you know? They’ll have a lot of different bands on them. I played a festival one time and REM was headlining, then Oasis, then it was Soundgarden, and then it was Sheryl Crow, then Megadeth, and then Bo Diddley...and Faith No More was there, too. And I’m thinking ‘That is the weirdest lineup’, but you know what? It works. If you go to a concert and you see kind of the same bands, what have you done? You’ve just played the same record, ten times in a row. So, why not have a festival that has a bunch of different types of metal bands; hardcore, punk, speed, thrash, black, death, power...you can’t do it all every year. This year’s a little different from last year. But see, Gigantour is about a spirit. It’s about the spirit of the guitar and about the spirit of heavy metal. It’s not about going out there and making money and charging 100 dollars a ticket. The tickets are really low-priced, because it’s about a legacy, you know what I mean? It’s about giving something back, because my career’s kind of winding down as far as what I want to do that’s left. Basically I’ve done everything I wanted to do with my career. I would like to get the seemingly, uh ... (laughs) I don’t have the right word to say this, but the unobtainable Grammy, because I’ve been nominated 7 times for that. That’s like one of the only things left that I need to get to complete my collection -that and a Diamond Award, but hell, that’s the kind of stuff Carlos Santana gets.
Read entire interview HERE
SPV/Steamhammer has set an October 2 European release date (Sept 29 in Germany) for the Gigantour deluxe 2-CD set.
Last year's fast and furious inaugural festival tour arrives in European stores on deluxe 2-CD October. Both the CD, and DVD configurations capture 2005's heavy metal onslaught that was hailed as the best metal bill of the year, with Revolver magazine calling it “the mother of all shred fests.” Organized by MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE as a tour featuring “only bands whose musicianship matches their ability to melt faces with sheer volume and power” ( Miami Herald ), GIGANTOUR features unforgettable performances by MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER and FEAR FACTORY as well as Anthrax (CD only), Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex.
The GIGANTOUR DVD set encompasses a special bonus disc with all the no-holds-barred offstage action: tour bus visits, backstage drama, practical jokes plus interviews with the people who make a national package tour happen, like tour managers, pyrotechnics experts and band members. The GIGANTOUR CD contains three songs not included on the DVD.
Stay tuned for DVD European release date.
Dave Mustaine will be a guest on THE CHAOS METAL SHOW on Indie 103.1 tonight, Wed August 30th. CHAOS airs from 10PM - Midnight PST and streams online at www.indie1031.com
Ticket presales are available to all MegaFanClub members today for Portsmouth, VA. Public sales go up Thursday!
Revolver Magazine gives GIGANTOUR DVD three and half star review in October issue "2005's Gigantour was the destination last summer for live shredding and mayhem"
Ticket presales will be available to all MegaFanClub members this Tuesday for Portsmouth, VA. Public sales go up Thursday!
"We're trying to fix the visas for the Gigantour. Gonna start rehearsing eventually but we don't know how much time we'll get on stage. Have a few cool songs for ya if you're going. Done a little bit of writing too and it sounds...twisted."
OPETH's "Ghost Reveries" CD will be released on October 31 via Roadrunner Records. Bonus material on the set will include the band's cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Soldier of Fortune", a 40-minute documentary about the making of the record complete with the band's own private tour footage, the video for "The Grand Conjuration", liner notes, photos, an enhanced 24-page booklet, deluxe sleeve, and 5.1 surround exclusive mix of the record made by original mixed/engineer Jens Bogren.
The new Diamond package is now available for purchase. Included is a Mustaine autographed black ESP DV-200 guitar with case!
This package includes two reserved tickets within the first 4 rows, an ESP DV-200 guitar autographed by Dave Mustaine, an exclusive Platinum Member T-shirt, an authentic VIP Laminate for access to our exclusive Megadeth Meet & Greet, a personal photo with the band, a $100 voucher good for your next purchase in the Megadeth Web Store and set of official Megadeth guitar pics and drumsticks.
*Please note: If the venue is general admisson, package includes two GA tickets with early entry to the venue.
**Also note: Megadeth fans who have already purchased a vip platinum or gold package and would like to upgrade to a diamond package please submit your request to etix at support@etix.com
Ticket packages are now available for all North American shows listed...
MORE
"Last year Dave Mustaine sought to put together a package tour that was affordable for the fans and had a strong focus on heavy metal musicianship. He wasn't just putting together a tour of the most popular bands - he looked for bands that displayed first rate musicianship, and bands that he was a fan of. I think he succeeded.
I attended one of the shows in August of last year, it was one of the best shows I have yet attended. Besides featuring some of my favorite bands, it was just a great environment, five or six hours of pure metal bliss. This DVD brought me right back to that day. The first disk is nearly 90 minutes of music recorded at their stop in Montreal, Canada. In between each song are clips of interviews with the bands. You hear from Dave Mustaine about wanting to put this together, and other bands about how much fun they have had on the tour and how they came to be included.
The DVD puts together highlights from the show, featuring loud, in your face metal, swirling pits, and bands that are clearly putting their soul on the stage. Ninety minutes of metal thrashing madness." ...Read entire review HERE
Last year's fast and furious inaugural festival tour arrives in stores on deluxe 2-CD today, via IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT. Both the CD, and DVD (to be released Sept 5) configurations capture 2005's heavy metal onslaught that was hailed as the best metal bill of the year, with Revolver magazine calling it “the mother of all shred fests.” Organized by MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE as a tour featuring “only bands whose musicianship matches their ability to melt faces with sheer volume and power” ( Miami Herald ), GIGANTOUR features unforgettable performances by MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER and FEAR FACTORY as well as Anthrax (CD only), Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex.
The GIGANTOUR DVD set encompasses a special bonus disc with all the no-holds-barred offstage action: tour bus visits, backstage drama, practical jokes plus interviews with the people who make a national package tour happen, like tour managers, pyrotechnics experts and band members. The GIGANTOUR CD contains three songs not included on the DVD.
Ticket presales will be available to all MegaFanClub members this Wednesday for Chicago and Atlantic City. A password and instructions will be e-mailed out to all fan club members. Public sales will go up Saturday.
The Megadeth Fan Club is an opportunity for fans to gain more access. A membership provides exclusive merchandise such as exclusive MegaFanClub t-shirt, live CD, hand signed 8x10 photo, personalized membership card, Megadeth postcards, Fan Club sticker pack, genuine Megadeth guitar pick, and a letter from Dave Mustaine. Also included is access to the MegaFanClub website with exclusive media, private forums and chat room, live chats with the band, auctions, contests, blogs, news and photos, pre-sale tickets, and more!
Not a member? Join today!
Check the Journal section for a personal message from members of Opeth "We're really looking forward to hitting North American shores again"... More
Last year's fast and furious inaugural festival tour arrives in stores on deluxe 2-CD and 2-DVD sets August 22 and September 5, respectively, via IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT. Both configurations capture 2005's heavy metal onslaught that was hailed as the best metal bill of the year, with Revolver magazine calling it “the mother of all shred fests.” Organized by MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE as a tour featuring “only bands whose musicianship matches their ability to melt faces with sheer volume and power” ( Miami Herald ), GIGANTOUR features unforgettable performances by MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER and FEAR FACTORY as well as Anthrax (CD only), Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex.
The GIGANTOUR DVD set encompasses a special bonus disc with all the no-holds-barred offstage action: tour bus visits, backstage drama, practical jokes plus interviews with the people who make a national package tour happen, like tour managers, pyrotechnics experts and band members. The GIGANTOUR CD contains three songs not included on the DVD.
"There are a few very successful tours out each summer and in order to be significant, I knew the first GIGANTOUR had to make an impact with top bands,” says MUSTAINE. The six-week tour--with bands personally chosen by MUSTAINE--was designed to help bring like-minded hard rock fans together at a reasonable price, with most tickets in the $40 range. “I wanted to put together a festival that consisted of positive bands that play heavy music in a high-energy environment,” MUSTAINE said in the July ‘05 Guitar World . “I think the variety of playing styles and the credibility of the different players is really exciting.” The Orange County Register agreed, saying, “…it does a heart good to see Mustaine able to buck the chameleon trend of rock and stay firm to his ideals, keeping the music the priority and not the image.”
Ticket presales will be available to all MegaFanClub members this Friday for Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. Instructions will be e-mailed out to all fan club members and posted at the fan club site. Public sales go up Tuesday.
The Megadeth Fan Club is an opportunity for fans to gain more access. A membership provides exclusive merchandise such as exclusive MegaFanClub t-shirt, live CD, hand signed 8x10 photo, personalized membership card, Megadeth postcards, Fan Club sticker pack, genuine Megadeth guitar pick, and a letter from Dave Mustaine. Also included is access to the MegaFanClub website with exclusive media, private forums and chat room, live chats with the band, auctions, contests, blogs, news and photos, pre-sale tickets, and more!
Not a member? Join today!
Ticket presales will be available to all MegaFanClub members this Wednesday for shows: Boston, Albuquerque, and Toronto. A password and instructions will be e-mailed out to all fan club members. Public sales will go up Saturday.
The Megadeth Fan Club is an opportunity for fans to gain more access. A membership provides exclusive merchandise such as exclusive MegaFanClub t-shirt, live CD, hand signed 8x10 photo, personalized membership card, Megadeth postcards, Fan Club sticker pack, genuine Megadeth guitar pick, and a letter from Dave Mustaine. Also included is access to the MegaFanClub website with exclusive media, private forums and chat room, live chats with the band, auctions, contests, blogs, news and photos, pre-sale tickets, and more!
Not a member? Join today!
Check the Journal section for personal messages from LOG's Chris Adler and Sanctity... More
Boise, Las Vegas, San Diego, Oklahoma City, and Milwaukee on sale today!... More
Check out the newly added Platinum and Gold ticket packages FAQ section... More
MEGADETH, SOULFLY, ARCH ENEMY, CALIBAN, and more to play Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne October 21, 22, and 24!
Enter GIGANTOUR, the fast and furious traveling festival that was hailed last year by Revolver magazine as "the mother of all shred festivals" will kick off its first trip to Australia in October. Check the tour page for details.
Early presales to MegaFanClub members go on sale next week. Stay tuned for details. Not a member? Join today!
Into Eternity is thrilled to announce that longtime recording drummer Jim Austin will be joining them on their 2006 Gigantour dates. Not able to tour with the band for their five 2005 North American tours, Austin is ecstatic to be able to perform with the band for this run of dates. "It's been two years since I left the Into Eternity camp - and when I was asked to record the fourth album, The Scattering Of Ashes, I was truly excited! It was great to play a few live shows with them again at New England Hardcore Festival and opening for Gamma Ray. The Scattering Of Ashes is the most challenging album to date and is definitely my best foot forth, drumming wise. I'm also extremely excited to be able to join the Gigantour with some of my favorite bands. Just to share the stage with Megadeth is an honor I am seriously losing sleep over every night that passes by - as the shows come closer."
Ticket presales will be available to all MegaFanClub members this Wednesday for shows: Boise, Las Vegas, San Diego, Oklahoma City, and Milwaukee. A password and instructions will be e-mailed out to all fan club members. Public sales will go up Fri and Sat. Not all shows listed on the tour page go on sale this week. Stay tuned for more info.
The Megadeth Fan Club is an opportunity for fans to gain more access. A membership provides exclusive merchandise such as exclusive MegaFanClub t-shirt, live CD, hand signed 8x10 photo, personalized membership card, Megadeth postcards, Fan Club sticker pack, genuine Megadeth guitar pick, and a letter from Dave Mustaine. Also included is access to the MegaFanClub website with exclusive media, private forums and chat room, live chats with the band, auctions, contests, blogs, news and photos, pre-sale tickets, and more!
Not a member? Join today!
INTO ETERNITY'S new track 'Severe Emotional Distress' was premiered this week on the official GIGANTOUR 2006 Myspace
"INTO ETERNITY are inarguably the decade’s most original band." - Explicitly Intense
Set for release on Oct. 3, The Scattering Of Ashes, the band’s new album, has already been described as "a landmark triumph" by Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, and more colorfully by vocalist Stu Block as "over the top Metal Madness." Mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (Killswitch Engage, Arch Enemy) the new album’s clear production brings forward their ingenious multi-leveled musical dynamics and fearless experimentation with style and genre. More information about the band, photos, mp3s and album artwork can be found here.
The track can also be heard on Gigantour.com's MP3 player.
GIGANTOUR e-card HERE! Pass it on!
GIGANTOUR is working closely with www.mwcgamers.com in sponsoring the TRENCH tourney. Several very cool prizes (that will be named later) will be awarded to the winners of the tournament. The tournament will most likely be run this weekend (Sun Aug 6) beginning at 9:00pm and ending when the victor is named. Check in at www.mwcgamers.com for all details!
Spouse. Parent. Gamer. ...infused with vengeance! MwC (Married with Children) Gamers is an Xbox Live Adult Gaming Community specializing in hassle-free online gaming. The site has an informative news page, calendar of events, and very active forums. Gamers should definitely check out this website!
Ticket presales for select shows will be available to all MegaFanClub members this week. A password and instructions will be e-mailed out to all fan club members. Public onsales for select shows will be up later in the week. Not all shows listed on the tour page go on sale this week. Stay tuned for more info.
The Megadeth Fan Club is an opportunity for fans to gain more access. A membership provides exclusive merchandise such as exclusive MegaFanClub t-shirt, live CD, hand signed 8x10 photo, personalized membership card, Megadeth postcards, Fan Club sticker pack, genuine Megadeth guitar pick, and a letter from Dave Mustaine. Also included is access to the MegaFanClub website with exclusive media, private forums and chat room, live chats with the band, auctions, contests, blogs, news and photos, pre-sale tickets, and more!
Not a member? Join today!
Into Eternity guitarist Tim Roth: "We are extremely blown away at the chance to tour with this great festival. When INTO ETERNITY was formed, a tour with MEGADETH was always a goal of mine. I didn't actually think nine years later we would be playing arenas with them. INTO ETERNITY would like to give extra thanks to MEGADETH drummer Shawn Drover for going to bat and putting in some good words for us. See you out there!"
...As is this musical conglomeration of highlights of 2005's Gigantour, one of the top music tours last year. This two-disc DVD is a loud, in-your-face, and yet - lighthearted - showcase of not only Megadeth, but all the diverse bands Mustaine invited to join him for his metal festival.
Segments between each group show band members talking about how they came to be on the tour, and Mustaine also elaborates on how he came to choose the bands. Bobaflex, for example, was chosen partly because Mustaine's son is a fan of the group.
Mustaine not only comes across as the metal-head Megadeth fans know and love, but also the well spoken and intelligent man who brainstormed his project, and is so much more than just the long haired guy sneering over his guitar.
Saying this DVD is a must for any metal music fan is a bit cliché, but it's also a huge understatement.
Read more of this review at www.unratedmagazine.com
ARCH ENEMY guitarist: "It's an honor for us to be a part of GIGANTOUR"
Commented guitarist Mike Amott: "We are ecstatic about returning to the U.S. for yet another cool tour after two months of European festivals this summer. It's an honor for us to be a part of Gigantour this year and to share the stage with metal legends MEGADETH! We are also looking forward to hanging out with our Swedish friends in OPETH and making lots of new friends along the way. This will most likely be the last time the U.S. fans will see us on tour for the 'Doomsday Machine' album, and we are more than ready to deliver a full-on metal assault, ARCH ENEMY style! Let the 'Symphony of Destruction' begin."
Musicians from all the bands in last summer’s GIGANTOUR have signed various items from the celebrity baseball game played in NYC last August.
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports music education and its many benefits through the donation and repair of musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide. All proceeds from auctioned items will support instrumental music education. Auction details here!
Ticket presales will be available to all MegaFanClub members soon. A password and instructions will be e-mailed out to all fan club members. Stay tuned for more info coming next week.
The Megadeth Fan Club is an opportunity for fans to gain more access. A membership provides exclusive merchandise such as exclusive MegaFanClub t-shirt, live CD, hand signed 8x10 photo, personalized membership card, Megadeth postcards, Fan Club sticker pack, genuine Megadeth guitar pick, and a letter from Dave Mustaine. Also included is access to the MegaFanClub website with exclusive media, private forums and chat room, live chats with the band, auctions, contests, blogs, news and photos, pre-sale tickets, and more!
Not a member? Join today!
Gigantour.com 2006 and Gigantour Myspace launched today! Check 'em out and stay tuned for more content and regular updates on all things GIGANTOUR at both sites.
GIGANTOUR IS BACK:
'THE MOTHER OF ALL SHRED FESTS'
TO KICK OFF SECOND YEAR IN SEPTEMBER;
MEGADETH RETURNS AS MAIN STAGE HEADLINER
WITH LAMB OF GOD CONFIRMED
GIGANTOUR is back.
The fast and furious traveling festival that was hailed last year by Revolver magazine as "the mother of all shred fests" will kick off its second year in early September.
Look for the tour--the brainchild of MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE --to launch in the Northeast and to work its way through 25 major markets before wrapping in mid-October, with Xbox's "Gears of War" sponsoring the trek. MEGADETH will return as the festival headliner on a bill that includes fellow heavy-hitters Lamb of God, plus Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, Into Eternity, Sanctity and The Smashup all confirmed for these mostly outdoor shows. Other second stage artists will be announced soon.
MUSTAINE personally hand-picks all the GIGANTOUR bands, with a sharp eye on true musicianship. He says GIGANTOUR is a great place for like-minded music fans to see a full day of music on two stages without breaking the bank, and he's glad the tour is back in '06. " This is the concert that I, as a heavy metal music fan, would want to see," says MUSTAINE. "It is going to be something to look forward to each year, to see what kind of tremendous talent we can assemble, for GIGANTOUR festivals in the years to come."
Lamb of God's Mark Morton says, "Megadeth is one of the main reasons I started playing metal guitar in the first place. To finally tour with them is really exciting and it's a great way to start off our world tour supporting Sacrament . We've been dying to get the new material up and running on the live stage. We've worked so hard on the new record--it's really a great sense of accomplishment to see the new tunes come to life in a live setting. We're really looking forward to this one." The group's Chris Adler says, "Teaming up with Megadeth on GIGANTOUR is a metal dream come true. The lineup represents some of the most proficient metal bands and players from across the world and we are looking forward to joining forces and kicking ass. We're planning on a nice long set, introducing a lot of new and very heavy material from Sacrament as well as keeping the brutal live tracks from our previous albums. We can't wait to take the stage and destroy it."
Last year's inaugural GIGANTOUR was a six-week trek that was hailed by the Miami Herald for featuring "only bands whose musicianship matches their ability to melt faces with sheer volume and power." The Orange County Register agreed, saying, "...it does a heart good to see Mustaine able to buck the chameleon trend of rock and stay firm to his ideals, keeping the music the priority and not the image."
As for joining forces with GIGANTOUR, Craig Davison, Director of Global Games Marketing for Xbox, says, "We're totally jazzed about the partnership between Gigantour 2006 and our forthcoming Xbox 360 blockbuster, Gears of War ! Partnering a music extravaganza like GIGANTOUR with the launch of a mega-hit game like Gears of War captures the excitement around two awesome happenings for fans of music and video games!" Gears of War is a blockbuster video game exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system that blends tactical action with survival horror. Gears of War thrusts gamers into a harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival and is available this holiday.
In other GIGANTOUR news, Image Entertainment will release two-DVD and two-CD sets of GIGANTOUR 2005, which included Megadeth, Dream Theatre, Fear Factory, Anthrax, Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex. The CD is out August 22, with the DVD hitting stores September 5--just in time for this year's tour.
Stay tuned for more details, or check out www.GIGANTOUR.com , www.megadeth.com , www.myspace.com/gigantour2006 , and www.myspace.com/megadeth .