It has been ages since Rabit and I have been to the YouTube Theater in Inglewood. As many of you readers know by now, the YouTube Theater is an attached performance center at SoFi Stadium, created for more intimate concerts and performances. First time we were there, it was after they lifted the pandemic shutdown rules, and we went & saw Slash with Myles Kennedy. The design of this place was state of the art and the acoustics they built into the venue made the sound much crisper. That was a couple of years ago, and we were ready for a new show to blow on by. Then, we had gotten word to cover thrash metal gods Megadeth on their Destroy All Enemies tour, and they would not be destroying their enemies alone. Alternative/nu metal gurus Mudvayne and modern metal bashers All That Remains tagged along with Megadeth to bring to us their own symphonies of destruction. Just like rats in the streets, Rabit and I were about to follow to the tune of the metal pied pipers.

All That Remains revved up the metal engines and brought the metalheads of the YouTube Theater to their feet. It has been so damn long since I have seen the Springfield, Mass kick some metal ass, and they did not disappoint. Frontman Philip Labonte is still a skull-crushing, brutal SOB who commands a powerful scream that raises all the hair on both my arms. He gets in your face when he screams, but he always brings a melodic harmony to his style. Lead guitarist Jason Richardson is a master at blending the traditional All That Remains riffs with his djent/progressive licks. He has been a fine addition to the group ever since the passing of founding guitarist Oli Herbert. Along with rhythm guitarist Mike Martin, drumming newcomer Anthony Barone, and returning bassist Matt Deis, the L.A. crowd was treated to a delightful assortment of crispy, hard-edge metal tunes like “Now Let Them Tremble,” “Chiron,” “Six,” “This Calling,” “Two Weeks,” and these two tunes that sets up their next album, “Divine” and “Let You Go.” It was a stellar performance, and I believe Oli was playing right beside his brothers. That is but a taste of the metal strength All That Remains plans on putting out to the world in near future.

It was time to embrace the sinister side of heavy metal with Mudvayne. Donning their traditional horror film-style clown makeup, we stepped into their demonized circus and enjoyed the show, starting with their classic “Dig.” Frontman Chad Gray is a clown’s worst nightmare with his complexion and vicious voice. This motherfucker pulled no punches when he delivered the lyrics, and he looked so buff, probably the best shape he has ever been in. What I love about Gray is his humility to fans and his love for the genre that he says saved his life (and it saved mine). Hell of a man. Guitarist Greg Tribbett was razor sharp as he supplied the sonic, complex riffs that made Mudvayne a household name in the metal community. It is like he was possessed by the guitar demon that bestowed him his talent. Bassist Ryan Martinie is a sight to see with his multifarious plucking that gives the songs a funky/alternative melody that gives headbanging a new sense of belonging. Drummer Matthew McDonough tortured his Pearl drum set with his beastly pounds and rhythmic slashes. Mudvayne was absolute dominate with their tunes like “Under My Skin,” “Not Falling,” “Death Blooms,” “Internal Primates Forever,” “Fall Into Sleep,” “Dull Boy,” “A New Game,” “Nothing to Gein,” “World So Cold,” and “Happy?.” No word yet if a new album is on the horizon, but until that day is announced, Mudvayne is taking us on a nostalgic ride on their metal roller coaster, and we will be getting back in line for another ride.

After a 30-minute set change, the venue lit up as Megadeth graced us with their presence, kicking things off with “The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead!” Frontman/guitarist Dave Mustaine was a glorious spectacle to witness. The way the master of thrash was shredding and singing, you would not think he just beat throat cancer. His signature voice is very guttural-like that it gives the lyrics a fiercer sound, and the way he “spider chord” the riffs on his signature Flying Vs make them powerful. This is the first time seeing their newest guitar partner in Teemu Mäntysaari. Known for his time Wintersun, this Finnish shred master is a perfect partner-in-chords for Mustaine since the unexpected departure of Kiko Loureiro. His blend of power metal and thrash gives new life to Megadeth. Bassist James LoMenzo strummed the perfect bass riffs that have always been in Megadeth, destructive and defined. Drummer Dirk Verbeuren continues to slice through the beats like a hot knife in butter. He has been one of their best drummers since Nick Menza and Shawn Drover.

Megadeth’s entire set was chaotic and electrifying, causing many metalheads to try and bum rush to the pits, where the tornado of death was at its finest. The main point of this tour was to promote their best feat yet, The Sick, the Dying…the Dead! That record was 6 years in making that kept getting pushed back due to the pandemic, the lockdown, and Mustaine’s cancer scare. However, that which does not kill the band made them stronger and almightier than before. Only two songs from that album were played, the self-titled track and “We’ll Be Back,” which were perfect that night. Megadeth performed a great selection of their classic ditties, most of which came from Countdown to Extinction. From “Dread and the Fugitive Mind” to “Wake Up Dead,” “In My Darkest Hour,” “Hangar 18,” “Sweating Bullets,” “Liar” (first time performed live in 18 years), “Skin o’ My Teeth,” “Angry Again,” “She-Wolf,” “Countdown to Extinction,” “The Conjuring,” “Trust,” “Tornado of Souls,” “Symphony of Destruction,” “Mechanix,” and “Peace Sells,” we metalheads of SoCal were in metal heaven. The whole performance, Rabit and I air-guitared the shit out of each song. Of course, Megadeth’s performance would not be complete without an encore of “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due.” The way Mustaine carried himself all night, he was a messenger of God!

Holy shit! The energy that was put out in the YouTube Theater was unreal. Honestly, this was probably the best performances that we have seen from all three groups. They were all dominant, accurate, and chaotic to a positive note. Megadeth and Mudvayne have never looked so good before. Both Mustaine and Gray looked in great shape and were like roaring lions ruling over their respective kingdoms. For All That Remains, they continue to be a driving force and influence for other modern metal bands today, and Labonte is leading his pack of wolves looking for their prey. Most important of all, Mustaine promised the crowd that Megadeth will be back. Rabit and I had the best time of all the metal shows we have been to since the pandemic ended, and we are just getting started. To Megadeth, Mudvayne, and All That Remains, I salute you. Horns up!!!

P.S. Megadeth is right, peace sells but whose buying!?

PHOTOS BY:  MATT 'RABIT' MARTINEZ