Back in November, I purchased tickets to see the American Carnage treck featuring Slayer, Megadeth, and Testament. The concert was set to take place in January. Then, Tom Araya had to have back surgery, and the American Carnage tour was postponed. Finally, almost nine months later, the day had come and the adrenaline was flowing the minute we stepped foot upon the holy cement in front of the Dodge Theater in downtown Phoenix. Everywhere you looked, there was a sea of heavy metal maniacs, ready to see their heavy metal icons in the flesh.

Once we got inside, the quest was clear – it was time for some alcohol and a majority of those around us agreed. Two beers (for me) later, we made our way to the inside of the theater. In the third section and in the nineteenth row, we were close enough to see everything, but not close enough to get into the pit, but that wouldn’t matter to us. This was a night for thrashing and thrashing is what we were going to do.

Unfortunately, due to having to grab the tickets at will call and grabbing a t-shirt and beers, we did miss a bit of Testament’s set, but the latter half that I caught was great. Chuck Billy owns that stage and he is obviously having the time of his life. The band was tight and the intensity was there. Sometimes opening bands will not get the time of day, but Testament commanded that stage and the respect of everyone in that theater. At one point, Chuck Billy parted the pit like the Red Sea and commanded each side to kill one another, which created one huge pit. Once Testament finished up, it was time to venture out to grab some more drinks. Out of the sheer anticipation for the next act, we got back to theater with some time to waste until it was time to witness one band we were about to see for the very first time.

Megadeth came out and immediately began to rip into “Holy Wars” and blistered through the entire Rust in Peace album. I did not have any complaints about them playing the album in it’s entirety because it was something I never really expected to see a few years ago. While the vocals  were not always audible, it almost didn’t matter because these are songs that are etched into my mind anyway and I’m sure it’s the same for any hardcore Megadeth fan. One interesting treat was having Vic Rattlehead come out during “Dawn Patrol.” That got a pretty nice pop from the crowd. Fuck, we grew up with the awesome mascot on all of our Megadeth albums, so he deserved it.

After they got through Rust in Peace, we were treated to other songs like “Headcrusher,” “Peace Sells,” and a reprise of “Holy Wars.” I give props to Shawn Drover and Chris Broderick for fitting into the Megadeth fold like an old pair of shoes. They were excellent. It was also great to see David Ellefson back in the fold after nearly a decade. He was obviously enjoying it. One funny highlight was Mustaine introducing the band and when it came to Ellefson, he said “I have no idea who this guy is.” As for Dave Mustaine, he might not be the greatest singer in the world, but he definitely can bring it all onstage just like he always did. If I could have a Megadeth show everyday of the week, I really would.

After Megadeth, we were sore from relentless headbanging and pseudo-moshing in our seats, so it was time to once again hit up the beer stand and smoke a cigarette. In the concession line, the screams and high fives for “Fuckin’ Slayer!” were loud and abundant. We were all ready to get our collective asses kicked by the thundering thrash assault of Slayer. By the time they started, we were more than ready. As soon as they ripped into “World Painted Blood,” the madness began. If anyone in that place was not moving, then they must have been either dead or passed out because all that energy and intensity causes movement to occur.

I must confess that it was strange to see Tom Araya not banging his head, but that didn’t deter Slayer from driving the crowd wild all the way through their legendary album Seasons in the Abyss with some of the highlights for me being “War Ensemble”, “Dead Skin Mask” and “Skeletons of Society” because they my favorites from the album. The night ended with the ever-classic tale of hatred and brutality, “Angel of Death” from arguably Slayer’s greatest album Reign in Blood. As soon as it was over, one could not help asking for even just one more song from any of the bands, but it was not to be.  The night had to end and our thrash metal fantasies were granted.

Of course, as with any concert, there were those moments without auditory perfection, but this is rock ‘n roll and it’s not meant to be perfect. Perfection in rock ‘n roll is what I saw on Friday night — feeling, attitude, determination, intensity, and the chops to put out something amazing.

Final Word: EPIC.