The overall feeling is something like: "Sorry guys, that we`ve been lost a bit the past few years. But hey, look at us now. We`re back as the technical and very melodic speedmetal band we always were."

As usual, Mustaine has this serious and somewhat moody look on his face, but it`s obvious that he`s enjoying the enthusiastic crowd at the Zeche a lot. "Motopsycho", "She-Wolf" (with extended solo), "Reckoning Day", "Train Of Consequences" and "A Tout Le Monde" are the next songs. With "Hangar 18" and -after the instrumental "Silent Scorn"- also "Return To Hangar", Megadeth shows us that they`re still one of the best bands around.

The performance is so tight, it`s simply fantastic. New axeman Pitrelli gets all the space he deserves and plays one great solo after the other. The rhythm section is as tight as we`re used to from this band, especially Jimmy DeGrasso is playing like this will be his last show.

His aggressive and pounding drumming is so cool. With the new Pitrelli composition "Promises", "Almost Honest", the very cool "Tornado Of Souls" and "Trust (Dave sings the chorus after the solo in German), Megadeth finishes their regular set.

The Zeche is really on fire, because this is one cool show. In the encore, the smiling (yes!) Mustaine expresses his gratitude to the crowd and with the killer tracks "Symphony Of Destruction", "Sweating Bullets" plus the classics "Peace Sells" and "Holy Wars", Megadeth shows us that they`re still one of the best metalbands in the scene. It`s just so professional, so tight.

Good to have them back!

(Review: Johan Godschalk
Pics: Marcia Gransbergen)