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Heaven and Hell, Megadeth and Machine Head
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 Entertainment
 Art
Allstate Arena
Chicago, Ill.
May 5, 2007
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The Allstate Arena on a Saturday night was a flashback to years gone by when the place was packed with proud mullet bearing metal guys with denim and leather that were so drunk they were practically pissing themselves. In those days the mullets were kids growing out their hair but now, in the present, it’s more because of receding hairlines than anything else. Back then there was a permanent illegal haze of blue smoke through the whole building and not stale cigarette smoke from the kiddies. Nowadays a lousy cigarette will get you in more trouble than drugs, so everyone was herded outside to smoke and the venue was left, strangely, fresh.
In case you haven't guessed, mostly the older contingent of the metal scene reared its collective balding head this evening, still there was a formidable force of the young present as well. Much of the youthful portion was here for Machine Head who had the shortest set at a mere 25 minutes. Their sound wavered in and out, but it didn't distract the younger kids from chanting "Machine - Fucking - Head" in between songs. At this point the venue was mostly empty as the elders were out in the halls loading up on beer and Heaven and Hell swag.
Next up was Megadeth, the crowd started filing in two fisting it finding their seats. Opening up with a new tune "Sleepwalkers" from their upcoming album “United Abominations” seemed to confuse everyone for a second, but the song was catchy enough for everyone to change gears and groove along. Ripping straight into “Take No Prisoners” reaffirmed the crowd that this is not your older brother's Megadeth. As storied of a career as these guys have, they still put out the same energy as when they were here back in '87 at UIC. It was actually a thrash-a-thon! “Kick the Chair” led into the legendary “Wake Up Dead” as they finally busted out some Peace Sells tunes. The crowd ate it up and there were even a few headbangers in the back letting their hair fly. After “Symphony of Destruction”, they closed the set with “Tornado of Souls”, “Peace Sells” and finally “Holy Wars”. A 55 minute set of thrash at Allstate - how refreshing!
Waiting for Heaven & Hell was agonizing. The tension was palpable and no one wasted any time getting back to their seats after filling up one last time on beer (remember this is a metal show, not some kiddy pop show). The lights fade, Tony Iomni, Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice could be seen taking the darkened stage as the famous intro/instrumental “E5150” starts and the crowd erupts with anticipation. When the lights kick on there's Ronnie James Dio standing on the stage as if by magic.
When “E5150” ended instead of following it with “Mob Rules”, they did a surprise move by going right to “After All (The Dead)”. It surprised the crowd but it didn’t take them too long to get into it and sing along in force and they were rewarded next with “Mob Rules” (finally!)
Iommi tonight was wearing his now trademark blue tinted glasses and a black coat that made him look like the high priest of the metal riffs. “Children of the Sea” and “Lady Evil” were next, followed by Dehumanizer's "I". It was great to hear one of the trademark tracks from this line-up whose last reunion was way back in '92. Ronnie's voice was perfect, you'd never guess this guy is in his mid 60’s, he sounded seamless and, as always, a consummate showman.
“Sign of the Southern Cross” and “Voodoo” followed next as the set seemed to be moving in perfect construction and execution. After “The Devil Cried” Vinnie Appice's delivered a rather weak drum solo, Vinnie will never be a Bill Ward. Still, it was a good chance for everyone to get a quick piss.
There was an ugly rumor circulating before the show that Geezer was sick and might have to cancel. Although he wasn't moving around and headbanging as much as usual, you could tell that the music had possessed him at this point as he effortlessly pounded away at the classic, and complicated bass line of the Dio era staples.
“Shadow of the Wind” led into the metal anthem, “Die Young”, with a killer awe inspiring Iommi guitar solo. Next was “Heaven and Hell” complete with Dio's trademark audience participation during the chorus. Dio: "On and on, on and on, its......" Crowd: "HEAVEN AND HELL!".
After a short break for the encore they came out and ripped though “Neon Nights”, and then, just like that -the show was over. The lights came on and everyone stood there, wiped out, exhausted, spent but smiling. It was as if the last 2 hours had slipped by in a second. But in a way, they will last a lifetime.
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