7/10/13

Show Review: Gigantour @ DTE Energy Music Theatre July 8, 2013


It might have been a stormy, rainy day this past Monday when Gigantour came knocking at DTE Energy Music Theatre, but that didn't stop the early crowds from showing up for several VIP meet and greets and to check out the early acts of Death Division, Newsted and Hellyeah. Torrential downpours, deafening thunder and streaks of fiery lightning only helped set the stage for the hellacious lineup of metal bands featured on this years incarnation of the long running festival created by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine years ago. Each of the bands on this tour features veteran musicians who have long resumes in the metal music scene spanning years if not decades of success. The diversity of the lineup was reflected in the throngs of fans who showed up, to a mostly sold out pavilion. What few seats were left in the further out rows were filled in by lawn ticket holders who were let in by the venue to get out of the elements, a kind gesture on their behalf.


Death Division was up first and pummeled the early crowd with a raucous energy that definitely engaged the crowd. Former Metallic bassist Jason Newsted was up next with his self-titled band Newsted, which pummeled my ears even with extra strong hearing protection. His act by far was one of the heaviest ones I've seen for an opening band and I will be certain to catch him next time around, hopefully with a longer set. Veteran supergroup Hellyeah came out full force in your face in the third spot of the lineup. With each member of the band having played in some of the most memorable metal bands of years past such as Mudvayne and Pantera, they know how to throw a fucking party on stage and wasted not a single ounce of it. Device was up next, the band fronted by former Disturbed frontman David Draiman. Sadly however, much of the crowd seemed indifferent to this act which seemed to reflect on their performance. Black Label Society, fronted by the legendary Zakk Wylde, who got his first big gig with Ozzy when he was 19, took the main headlining slot, with a sea of BLS leathers, tats, and shirts well in abundance in the crowd as he took to the stage at 7:45 pm. Ripping in to his guitar with the ferocity and technique he is well known for, BLS rocked the crowd start to finish, fueling the crowd for the main act. When headlining act Megadeth finally hit the floor, the pavilion was packed, throngs of Megadeth shirt clad fans surging as close as they could to the front ready to thrash out with one of metals most iconic bands in history. Flanked on the stage by three giant LED display systems playing synchronized videos to each of their songs, Megadeth delved deep in to their catalog to bring a variety of songs spanning their 30 year history. Smoke pouring from the stage, Dave Mustaine and company absolutely decimated the venue, with the intensity and force of a maelstrom unleashed.





Remaining Gigantour tour dates:
07/10 Youngstown, OH – Covelli Center
07/12 Dallas, TX – TBA
07/13 Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Amphitheatre
07/14 Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Amphitheatre
07/16 Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre
07/18 Bloomington, IL – US Cellular Coliseum
07/19 Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
07/20 Cadott, WI – Chippewa Valley Music Festival
07/22 Winnipeg, MB – MTS Center
07/23 Calgary, AB – Stampede Corral
07/26 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
07/27 Dawson Creek, BC – EnCana Events Centre
07/29 Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Entertainment Center
07/30 Everett, WA – Comcast Arena
08/01 West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
08/02 Denver, CO – 1st Bank Center
08/04 Fargo, ND – Scheels Arena
08/07 New York, NY – TBA
08/09 Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
08/10 Montreal, QC – Heavy MTL
08/11 Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

on