Metal Tour of the Year Hits Kansas City

May 1, 2022

*Dave Mustaine of Megadeth Performing at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Josh Chaikin*

What happens when four of the top metal bands in the world join forces for one outing? You get the METAL TOUR OF THE YEAR, featuring the legendary LAMB OF GOD, and MEGADETH, with special guests TRIVIUM, and IN FLAMES. With a lineup like that, it was sure to be a night of shredding, and face-melting.

By the time IN FLAMES took the stage, the 17,000 seat T-Mobile Center was still largely empty. I was told that only about 4,000 tickets were sold. Though much below capacity, the energy from the crowd made up for it ten-fold, and the band made up for it in kind. Anders Fridén, front-man for IN FLAMES, told the crowd we were the best audience of the tour, even beating out Cedar Rapids (I’m sure them being the Thursday night stop had nothing to do with it).

Hailing from Sweden, Anders introduced themselves as our new best friend in metal. And reminded us metal is more fun if you run in circles, and throw people into the air. At least one of those things happened. IN FLAMES delivered a powerful powerformance, and definitely won a lot more fans that night.

Next up, hailing from Orlando, were Kansas City favorite, TRIVIUM. We last saw TRIVIUM at Rockfest in 2016, so it was great to see them again, and on the big stage. Vocalist Matt Heafy was in top form, and effortlessly raised the energy up that IN FLAMES had already started. They were they to play, and faces were melted. I just wish they would’ve had a longer set time.

Video courtesy of Korey Barnes

*Randy Blythe performing at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Josh Chaikin*

Next up, LAMB OF GOD. The legendary death metal outfit from Richmond came in, and hit hard. No stranger to Kansas City, LAMB OF GOD has played the area several times over the past few years, and undoubtedly had plenty of fans in attendance. And even had the largest circle pit of the night. Randy was in constant movement throughout the night, spinning his dreads, leaping off platforms, and commanding flames to rise from the stage. The man’s energy is boundless.

But it wasn’t all fun and games. Towards the end of LAMB OF GOD’S set, during Laid to Rest, Randy stopped the show after seeing a hurt fan, and asked that the crowd make a hole, so the fan could be cleared out. Randy reminded the crowd that “we’re all here to have a good time, but we’re also here to take care of each other.” Metal gets a bad rap sometimes for being violent and angry, so it’s important to highlight moments like this, which shows the love that resonates through the community.

Video courtesy of HEADCRUSH_

To close the night out, were the trash metal icons. One of the Big Four. The legends themselves, MEGADETH. The band wasted no time, kicking things into high gear with the arpeggio heavy Hangar 18. The playing was blistering, the energy was high. While Dave’s performance may have lacked the charisma, and energy of the other frontmen on the bill, moving slowly across the stage, with his hair in his face most of the time, his technical prowess on guitar was on full display. He came to play, and he delivered.

THE METAL TOUR OF THE YEAR is an ambitious name to use for any tour, no matter what the line-up, but with co-headliners LAMB OF GOD, and MEGADETH, you’d be hard-pressed to argue that it doesn’t fit the bill; with TRIVIUM, and IN FLAMES adding support, you’re guaranteed a long night of great music, for any metal fan.

For more information about the METAL TOUR OF THE YEAR visit https://www.metaltouroftheyear.com/