Gigantour 2012 Review with Updated Setlists
Gigantour has returned after four years on hiatus. Dave Mustaine admitted last night the reason for the break was actually Motorhead. He wanted to do a tour with the legendary band and their notoriously busy touring schedule were the issue. The touring show brought various bands of different sub-metal genres and different countries together on one bill. Megadeth (America), Motorhead (England), Volbeat (Denmark), Lacuna Coil (Italy).
We arrived late to the show thanks to traffic and a driving snafu caused by inattentiveness and we missed Lacuna Coil. They start the show at exactly 6:30 and play 30 minutes. They were off the stage by 7:05 when we arrived. If you want to see Lacuna Coil, get there early.
I have been wanting to see Volbeat for a while now and was pissed when they rolled through my town and played a 200 person club in a town you never heard of. Instead of seeing the show, I masturbated listening to their music...terrible mistake on my part. I had to pay almost 60 bucks to see them now instead of 15 earlier.
The stage set up for the other bands were minimal - simply a banner of the band's name/logo/latest album cover. I must apologize to those on Twitter that I sent the setlist to because it was incorrect. After much arguing with fellow fans "No I am sure they played 16 Dollars." No dude that was Pool of Booze. I now have the "correct setlist," which you can see below.
The band sounded great. Wonderful power and energy, but I felt the bigger stage was intimidating to them. I didn't feel they utilized it properly (bass player moved from stage left microphone to stage right microphone and they were positioned in the middle of the stage) They didn't really play for the fans sitting in the back, but focused more inward and the fans in front of the stage. I proclaimed after the set "They would have been awesome to see in a bar." I stand by that statement.
Megadeth (50-55 minutes)
Trust
Wake Up Dead
Hangar 18
Sweating Bullets
Angry Again
Poison was the Cure
Dawn Patrol
Public Enemy # 1
Whose Life
Guns Drugs & Money
A Tout Le Monde with Christina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil
Symphony of Destruction
Peace Sells
Holy Wars
We arrived late to the show thanks to traffic and a driving snafu caused by inattentiveness and we missed Lacuna Coil. They start the show at exactly 6:30 and play 30 minutes. They were off the stage by 7:05 when we arrived. If you want to see Lacuna Coil, get there early.
I have been wanting to see Volbeat for a while now and was pissed when they rolled through my town and played a 200 person club in a town you never heard of. Instead of seeing the show, I masturbated listening to their music...terrible mistake on my part. I had to pay almost 60 bucks to see them now instead of 15 earlier.
The stage set up for the other bands were minimal - simply a banner of the band's name/logo/latest album cover. I must apologize to those on Twitter that I sent the setlist to because it was incorrect. After much arguing with fellow fans "No I am sure they played 16 Dollars." No dude that was Pool of Booze. I now have the "correct setlist," which you can see below.
The band sounded great. Wonderful power and energy, but I felt the bigger stage was intimidating to them. I didn't feel they utilized it properly (bass player moved from stage left microphone to stage right microphone and they were positioned in the middle of the stage) They didn't really play for the fans sitting in the back, but focused more inward and the fans in front of the stage. I proclaimed after the set "They would have been awesome to see in a bar." I stand by that statement.
Those who are familiar with Volbeat, they mix a harder edge with a light pop sense. They downplayed the poppy set regulars and focused on the harder ones. Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood, The Mirror and the Ripper, Who They Are all have that edge the fans of Gigantour would be looking for. I swear they played 16 Dollars, but I got punched in the balls when I said that, so I guess they didn't play it.
Volbeat are relatively new to the American music scene and not a lot of people have heard from them. They opted for the cheap thrills "Give it up for Metal" "Give it up for Johnny Cash" I half expected a "Anyone out there Camden" call out (Even though it's technically a Philadelphia show).
That being said, Sad Man's Tongue got a great sing-a-long and the crowd responded to that song. Don't get me wrong, Volbeat put on a great show, but they just would be an awesome sweaty drunk bar band where you could mosh, toss your devil horns in the air and twirl....metal heads twirl right? They played for about 35-40 minutes.
I have seen Motorhead over five times and usually their opener and closer is "We are Motorhead and we play Rock N' Roll." They didn't even introduce themselves, they walked on stage and busted right into Bomber and Damage Case. It was around this time a microphone blew out in the drums and caused a horrific, ear searing drum echo in my ear even though I had plugs in. You can't hear Lemmy when he sings anyway, but tonight was worse. His voice was drowned out over the drums and his own bass. I key off what the song is from the guitar riff and the lyrics (as most do), I was hindered by the fact I couldn't hear any guitar and none of the lyrics. I was guessing at the setlist at one point as I just couldn't pick up any of the songs thanks to the blown mic and the unmixed audio. I was sitting dead center (section 102) where one would think the sound should have been balanced.
I expect these kinds of errors in the first night of the tour. If the mix sounded impeccable, I would have been worried because I would have slipped into bizzarro world. I haven't been to a first tour kick off that went smoothly. No matter the amount of planning and mission planning, some things are better tested live. I'll get back to this point with Megadeth in a minute.
If this was your first time seeing Motorhead, I am sorry. Your only experience is that they are loud. They are loud, but their show is usually way better. I expected a Mikkey Dee drum solo; he is one of the best rock drummer out there. But when your set is only 40-45 minutes long, a five minute drum solo is a bit excessive. Five minutes is at least a song and half for Motorhead. I think they are going to get things worked out, massage the road rust, and get that sound balanced.
Megadeth closed the show (of course) and had a big light spectacle. There were so many flashing lights that if you have epilepsy really don't recommend staying for Megadeth. You will seize and you will probably like it. Unlike Motorhead, I was able to hear the guitar here hurled by Mustaine and Broderick, but I couldn't hear a damn thing Dave was singing. His vocals were so low, at times, I thought he forgot the lyrics (unpossible) or he wasn't singing when he should have been.
The band started with a simple Megadeth black drop cloth behind them. By the time they went into the Thirteen, their latest album, portion of the set (see below) the backdrop was lowered revealing six LED rectangular screens. The screens displayed several iconic images from Megadeth (Radiation symbol, 13 album cover, etc).
Dave looks full healed from his neck surgery. He played amazingly well and dead on. He was even headbanging a bit, a sight to see considering how bad his neck injury was just four months ago. The crowd chanted "Dave for President." That got a great reaction from Mustaine making him quib "Could you imagine that?"
It's tough when bands that have a legendary back catalog like Megadeth put out a new album. The older fans seem to shy away from the material, but that wasn't the case with the Philly fans of Megadeth. They responded just as favorably to Public Enemy Number 1 and Guns, Drugs and Money as they did with Hangar 18 and Sweating Bullets. That is a testament to the staying power of Megadeth and how he has never strayed from the formula that works for him. Thirteen (the band's thirteenth studio album) stands up alongside some of the older records as a prototypical Megadeth record.
A highlight of the show for an American man who missed Lacuna Coil, was the part when Dave Mustaine introduced Christina Scabbaia from Lacuna Coil to help with vocal duty on A Tout Le Monde. But once again, the poor sound mixing hindered the performance. I could barely hear her or him vocally over the music. You could get glimpses of her voice and the power she has, but Megadeth overpowered the vocals.
The sound issues will be worked out by the next show, I am confident of that. The sound was actually my only gripe with the whole Gigantour. Every band put on an entertaining show and I certainly felt I got my money's worth from each band. Volbeat seemed to be the highlight of many evenings, but for this metal head from way back, it was seeing the Hall of Fame entrant Dave Mustaine on stage hurling licks and riffs with his patented Flying V Dean guitar.
Volbeat (35-40 Minutes)
The Human Instrument
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Radio Girl
Sad Man's Tongue
Hallelujah Goat
The Mirror and the Ripper
Fallen
Who they Are
Pool of Booze, Booze
Still Counting
And I swear 16 dollars
Motorhead (40-45 minutes)
Bomber
Damage Case
I Know How to Die
Metropolis
Over the Top
The Chase is Better than the Catch
The One to Sing the Blues
Going to Brazil
Killed by Death
Ace of Spades
Overkill
I have seen Motorhead over five times and usually their opener and closer is "We are Motorhead and we play Rock N' Roll." They didn't even introduce themselves, they walked on stage and busted right into Bomber and Damage Case. It was around this time a microphone blew out in the drums and caused a horrific, ear searing drum echo in my ear even though I had plugs in. You can't hear Lemmy when he sings anyway, but tonight was worse. His voice was drowned out over the drums and his own bass. I key off what the song is from the guitar riff and the lyrics (as most do), I was hindered by the fact I couldn't hear any guitar and none of the lyrics. I was guessing at the setlist at one point as I just couldn't pick up any of the songs thanks to the blown mic and the unmixed audio. I was sitting dead center (section 102) where one would think the sound should have been balanced.
I expect these kinds of errors in the first night of the tour. If the mix sounded impeccable, I would have been worried because I would have slipped into bizzarro world. I haven't been to a first tour kick off that went smoothly. No matter the amount of planning and mission planning, some things are better tested live. I'll get back to this point with Megadeth in a minute.
If this was your first time seeing Motorhead, I am sorry. Your only experience is that they are loud. They are loud, but their show is usually way better. I expected a Mikkey Dee drum solo; he is one of the best rock drummer out there. But when your set is only 40-45 minutes long, a five minute drum solo is a bit excessive. Five minutes is at least a song and half for Motorhead. I think they are going to get things worked out, massage the road rust, and get that sound balanced.
Megadeth closed the show (of course) and had a big light spectacle. There were so many flashing lights that if you have epilepsy really don't recommend staying for Megadeth. You will seize and you will probably like it. Unlike Motorhead, I was able to hear the guitar here hurled by Mustaine and Broderick, but I couldn't hear a damn thing Dave was singing. His vocals were so low, at times, I thought he forgot the lyrics (unpossible) or he wasn't singing when he should have been.
The band started with a simple Megadeth black drop cloth behind them. By the time they went into the Thirteen, their latest album, portion of the set (see below) the backdrop was lowered revealing six LED rectangular screens. The screens displayed several iconic images from Megadeth (Radiation symbol, 13 album cover, etc).
Dave looks full healed from his neck surgery. He played amazingly well and dead on. He was even headbanging a bit, a sight to see considering how bad his neck injury was just four months ago. The crowd chanted "Dave for President." That got a great reaction from Mustaine making him quib "Could you imagine that?"
It's tough when bands that have a legendary back catalog like Megadeth put out a new album. The older fans seem to shy away from the material, but that wasn't the case with the Philly fans of Megadeth. They responded just as favorably to Public Enemy Number 1 and Guns, Drugs and Money as they did with Hangar 18 and Sweating Bullets. That is a testament to the staying power of Megadeth and how he has never strayed from the formula that works for him. Thirteen (the band's thirteenth studio album) stands up alongside some of the older records as a prototypical Megadeth record.
A highlight of the show for an American man who missed Lacuna Coil, was the part when Dave Mustaine introduced Christina Scabbaia from Lacuna Coil to help with vocal duty on A Tout Le Monde. But once again, the poor sound mixing hindered the performance. I could barely hear her or him vocally over the music. You could get glimpses of her voice and the power she has, but Megadeth overpowered the vocals.
The sound issues will be worked out by the next show, I am confident of that. The sound was actually my only gripe with the whole Gigantour. Every band put on an entertaining show and I certainly felt I got my money's worth from each band. Volbeat seemed to be the highlight of many evenings, but for this metal head from way back, it was seeing the Hall of Fame entrant Dave Mustaine on stage hurling licks and riffs with his patented Flying V Dean guitar.
Volbeat (35-40 Minutes)
The Human Instrument
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Radio Girl
Sad Man's Tongue
Hallelujah Goat
The Mirror and the Ripper
Fallen
Who they Are
Pool of Booze, Booze
Still Counting
And I swear 16 dollars
Motorhead (40-45 minutes)
Bomber
Damage Case
I Know How to Die
Metropolis
Over the Top
The Chase is Better than the Catch
The One to Sing the Blues
Going to Brazil
Killed by Death
Ace of Spades
Overkill
Megadeth (50-55 minutes)
Trust
Wake Up Dead
Hangar 18
Sweating Bullets
Angry Again
Poison was the Cure
Dawn Patrol
Public Enemy # 1
Whose Life
Guns Drugs & Money
A Tout Le Monde with Christina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil
Symphony of Destruction
Peace Sells
Holy Wars
If you want to see some bad ass images from the show, look no further than Rock N Shots Live's Facebook page. They take great pictures and are significantly higher quality than the ass camera I smuggled in.
Posted by Craig Wettner at 1/27/2012 7:33 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Gigantour Megadeth Lacuna Coil Motorhead Volbeat
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Gigantour Megadeth Lacuna Coil Motorhead Volbeat
Saw the show last night at MSG in New York City. Pretty much same set lists and the bands all kicked ass. BUT, it was the lowest volume metal show I was ever at. You couldnt even hear most of Mustaines vocals. Everyone started chanting "louder, louder!" but it never got turned up. Very weird.
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Wow that is shocking. I thought for sure his vocal issue would be worked out by the third show. That is very odd.
We had almost a full house in Camden. They did run a Groupon for it the week of the show, but tickets weren't discounted that much. Wonder what's up with NYC and metal? Usually a good rock town.
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MAYBE THEY,LL HAVE THE SOUND FIXED BY THE TIME THEY GET TO CANADA,OR????.THE SOUND GUYS ARE SUBWAY EMPLOYEES-FRICK,GET IT TOGETHER.OH,NOW IM HUNGRY FOR A FOOT LONG.(SICK)
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AMEN!~
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I too was at the inaugural show seated not far from you and THANK YOU for recognizing what many other reviewers have shyed away from, "Motorhead was a complete dissapointment!" That (Snare?) mic ruined the entire set. Not to mention that Lemmy may as well have been an animitronic robot.... I feel sorry for Mickkey Dee he was the highlight of it all and got screwed by Gremlins!
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Glad someone else picked up on the blown mic because it did ruin their set. That is Lemmy, but I agree Phil and Lemmy did seem to be phoning it in.
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I just saw the show last nite 2/1/12 and I hate to admit that the sound was atrocious. I mean terrible. I love Motorhead but besides the fact that I thought their set list was weak, the sound was just awful...If you didn't know their material it just sounded like loud mud. Megadeth had a great set list and the guitars and overall mix was drastically improved from motorhead but still...Dave's vocals were very difficult to hear, and the whole show would have been better served in a packed theater rather than a half empty Civic Center...Oh well..I guess the scene just isn't what it was. Don't get me wrong, I love live music, but the arena wasn't truely neccessary for this show!!!!!
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