MEGADETH
That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires
Image Entertainment
Release date: Sept. 4, 2007

I’m going to tell you right from the beginning — I unapologetically love Megadeth.

I remember clearly that day back in 1985 when I discovered them. I was combing the “metal” LP bins at my local record store when I came across Killing Is My Business … And Business Is Good, which boasted a sticker on the cover stating that it was the debut album from former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine‘s new band. That’s all I needed to know. Seven bucks later, the low-production quality of opening tune “Last Rites/Loved To Deth” was blaring through my speakers, Mustaine’s raspy voice screaming, “I loved you to deth!!!”

Mustaine’s connection to Metallica — more specially, that Mustaine was fired from the pre-recording contract line-up of Metallica — has followed the Megadeth front man throughout his career, but not always to his benefit. Throughout the 1980s, a feud between Mustaine and his former bandmates was fought out in public during magazine interviews, which prompted thrash metal fans to take sides. But while Metallica spent much of the 90s in musical experimentation (much to the dismay of fans), Megadeth stayed true their metal roots, releasing now platinum albums Rust In Peace, Symphony of Destruction, and Youthanasia.

While Megadeth has endured numerous line-up changes, the long-red-maned Mustaine, who turns 46 today, has been the band’s one constant driving force, writing most of the music and lyrics. Even when in 2002 Mustaine suffered an arm injury which doctors believed would prevent him from ever playing guitar again, the singer/guitarist went through physical therapy to once again shred!

In 2005, California native Mustaine, along with guitarist Glen Drover, drummer Shawn Drover, and then-bassist James MacDonough, recorded That One Night – Live in Buenos Aires live at Obras Stadium in Argentina in front of 25,000 screaming — and I mean screaming — fans.

The 2-disc 21-track CD is an open love letter from Mustaine to his Argentinian fans, who can be heard on the recording shouting along to just about every tune and even singing out the guitar parts. During “Trust,” Mustaine interjects lyrics from the song’s Spanish version, which understandably sends the crowd into a frenzy, and it’s cool to hear the audience sing the French lyrics from the more melodic “A Tout le Monde” (and unlike some live albums, here the crowd participation is a welcome addition and in no way overbearing.) “This is your song,” Mustaine tells the die-hard fans about “I’ll Be There,” and later he sings a surprisingly soulful acoustic tribute to them called “Coming Home To Argentina.”

But do not mistake sentiment for softness. Megadeth is pure metal and the band tears it up with such headbanging favorites as the snarling “Reckoning Day,” “Hangar 18 (Rust)” and its sequel “Return To Hangar,” as well as “Tornado of Souls” and one of my favorite tunes ever “Wake Up Dead.”

The CD contains 3 extra songs — “Skin O’ My Teeth,” “Die Dead Enough,” and “Angry Again” — that were not included on the That One Night – Live in Buenos Aires DVD (and I highly recommend that DVD, as it includes Mustaine doing an impromptu acoustic performance for fans on the lawn of his hotel, which, I swear, is so awesome it should be its own dedicated DVD).

Also included are the true Megadeth staples classics such as “Symphony of Destruction” and “Peace Sells” (whadaya mean … ?), as well as some newer offerings like “Kick The Chair” and the opening song “Blackmail The Universe,” which has a killer intro. Be sure to listen through till the end of the final song, “Holy Wars,” to get an unlisted truncated acoustic version of “Use The Man.” It’s a real treat.

Since this is a review, allow me to at least attempt some objectivity. What can I negative about this album? Umm, let’s see … that there’s no songs that Dave Mustaine personally sings to me? That there’s only 21 songs instead 70, or that it’s a 2-disc CD instead of like say 7 discs. Yeah, a 7-hour concert, that’s a totally realistic expectation, no?

If I was prone to give stars for reviews, this That One Night would absolutely get four of four stars for sure.

Did I love this album? Fuck yes!

Check out a video of Symphony of Destruction from the DVD.

Track Listing

“Blackmail The Universe”
“Set The Word Afire”
“Skin O’ My Teeth”
“Wake Up Dead”
“In My Darkest Hour”
“Die Dead Enough”
“She Wolf”
“Reckoning Day”
“Hangar 18/Return To Hangar”
“I’ll Be There”
“Tornado of Souls”
“Trust”
“Something That I’m Not”
“Kick The Chair”
“Coming Home To Argentina”
“Symphony of Destruction”
“A Tout Le Monde”
“Angry Again”
“Peace Sells”
“Holy Wars”
acoustic “Here’s A Man” (unlisted)

Photos