Kings Of Thrash is a Megadeth tribute band consisting of former members of Megadeth David Ellefson (bass), Chris Poland (guitar on Peace Sells and Killing Is My Business), Jeff Young (guitar So Far So Good, So What?) along with musicians Chaz Leon (guitar/vocals), and Fred Aching (drums). To date, they have played only four shows but have hinted a more extensive tour is coming.
Kings Of Thrash sold out The Whiskey in Hollywood for this October 15th show. The setlist consisted of So Far, So Good, So What and Killing Is My Business, and Business Is Good, played in their entirety (almost), and a few songs from Peace Sells.
The Good
The best part of the show was that the band performed many deep cuts from the first classic albums that Megadeth may have played live on stage. The crowd responded strongly to the early material, especially Killing Is My Business thrashers like “Mechanix” and “Rattlehead”. Predictably, the mosh pit on the floor got so violent that people were getting carried out. Nevertheless, it was great to see this response from an audience that probably wasn’t alive when these songs came out, judging by the average age in the crowd.
The encore was also great, even throwing in some deeper cuts from Peace Sells like “Devil’s Island” and “Wake Up Dead”. Chaz Leon and Fred Aching did commendable jobs covering their roles in the band. It’s also worth noting that Chris Poland is an absolute savage on guitar and is the best guitar player that has ever been in Megadeth.
The Bad
Nothing was necessarily bad, though the was some room for improvement. One was the sound. When the band came out, they sounded perfect, but singer Chaz Leon complained about the monitors so much in the first few songs it caused the soundman to scramble the sound for the show’s first half altogether.
Jeff Young seemed like he was playing relatively slow, at a few points, dragging down the tempo of the entire band.
The worst thing about the show was the inclusion of Chris Poland as a “special guest”. He only performed four or five songs with the band as a third guitarist. When the show’s Killing As My Business portion started, Jeff should have exited the stage, and Chris should have been the sole lead guitar player, as he originally played and wrote the material.
The Verdict
If you are a hardcore Megadeth fan and Kings Of Thrash decides to take this show back on the road, this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth checking out. This same night Testament, Death Angel, and Exodus were also playing in town…I chose Kings Of Thrash, and so should you!
Video
Here is one video of “502” performed at the same show as this review.
Kings Of Thrash Setlist
So Far, So Good, So What
- Into the Lungs of Hell
- Set the World Afire
- Anarchy in the U.K.
- Mary Jane
- 502
- In My Darkest Hour
- Liar
- Hook in Mouth
Killing Is My Business and Business Is Good
- Last Rites/Loved to Deth
- Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good
- Rattlehead
- Looking Down the Cross
- The Skull Beneath the Skin
- Chosen Ones
- Mechanix
- These Boots
Peace Sells, but Who’s Buying?
- Wake Up Dead
- Good Mourning / Devil’s Island
- Peace Sells
Past Show Dates
- October 12th- Brick by Brick- San Diego
- October 13th- Crescent Ballroom- Phoenix, Arizona
- October 14th- The Space- Las Vegas
- October 15th- Whisky A Go Go- West Hollywood, California
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