After last year's impressive "The System Has Failed" effort, and having seen the mighty Megadeth a few years back in Sydney, I was eager to see how the new songs would go live and check out if Dave's latest backing band know their chops. So it was that I joined the queue snaking from the door of the Astoria and around several corners.

By the time I got in NWOBHM legends Diamond Head were midway through their set. Only knowing a small amount of their material via Metallica cover versions I was eager to see the real band in action. Sadly they left me slightly disappointed. Looking at the stage I saw not the famed, legendary Diamond Head I'd heard so much about, rather, an average rock band with a singer who's voice was more annoying than Mark Slaughter's. The crowd politely moved to the tunes and cheered between songs (more for the Diamond Head name, I suspect, rather than for their actual performance), but it was the two songs brought to the mainstream by Metallica, "Helpless" and "Am I Evil", that really got the Astoria going apeshit. It was an interesting observation to watch people going off to songs they wouldn't know if it weren't for another band.

By the time Mustaine and Co arrived on stage the apprehension inside the venue was at breaking point. Kicking off with "Blackmail the Universe" straight away Megadeth meant business. Some may argue that this was really just a Mustaine solo thing, however the fact remains that no matter what prestigeous musicians have done time in Megadeth, Dave has always called the shots, and further to the fact, his high standards mean that anyone he plays with has to be good. Tonight's line-up did not disappoint. Covering most of the material form the new album, as well as a tour through the Megadeth back catalogue, highlights included "Wake Up Dead" and "Peace Sells", "Mechanix", "In My Darkest Hour", "Tornado of Souls", "Hangar 18", "Angry Again", "Symphony of Destruction", "Sweating Bullets", "Trust" and 'A Tout Le Monde" among others. From the excellent "The System has Failed" the band also played "Die Dead Enough", "Kick the Chair", "Scorpion" and "Something That I'm Not". Diamond Head joined the band on stage for "Back in the Day", whilst "Of Mice and Men" was dedicated to the memory of the late, great Dimebag Darrell. The final number tonight was a searing rendition of "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", which left none in doubt that Dave Mustaine still means business. Say what you like about the guy. Many have accused him of being egotistical, difficult and a dickhead among other things, which are all charges often levied at geniuses...

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