Megadeth’s Final Slaying: A Lasting Legacy Honoured
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Megadeth
On February 20, Megadeth brought their This Was Our Life Farewell Tour to Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome, delivering a show that was as much a celebration of their legacy as it was a final statement. This was the end of an era .The closing chapter of a band that redefined thrash, punched holes in the fabric of heavy music, and made us never settle for anything less than total auditory annihilation.
Opening the night, Exodus hit the stage with the raw Bay Area intensity that helped define the genre, delivering a hard-driving set that balanced ferocious classics like “Bonded by Blood” and “The Toxic Waltz” with newer material from Goliath, creating a clear through line between their early legacy and their current momentum. The crowd responded immediately, with pits forming and horns raised from the first downbeat. Even with a shorter slot on Megadeth’s farewell run, Exodus made every minute count, turning the arena floor into controlled chaos and reinforcing their status as pioneers who continue not only to honor their history but to actively build on it.
Photo credit - Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Exodus
As a long-time fan who cut my teeth on “Among the Living” and “Persistence of Time,” watching Anthrax open for Megadeth felt like the perfect lineup. As part of thrash’s “Big Four,” Anthrax approached their set with the confidence and precision their reputation demands. Alongside fellow opener Exodus, they wasted no time igniting the crowd, reinforcing why both bands continue to command such a devoted fanbase. In Calgary, the audience was a mix of old ‘heads and new converts, all gathered to witness metal’s enduring fire during what is likely Megadeth’s farewell run. Throughout the set, Anthrax proved they still deliver with authority and connection, resonating just as strongly whether you first heard them in the ’80s, the ’90s, or yesterday.
Opening with “Got the Time,” followed by “Caught in a Mosh,” mirrored the exact order of my own playlist. Anthrax has a sound that is instantly recognizable, defined by precision, aggression, and rhythmic complexity. Charlie Benante’s drumming drives each song with relentless, machine-like force, while Scott Ian’s legendary guitar work, with palm-muted strokes and sharp accents, creates a layered sound that balances speed with clarity. Anthrax has long stood as a bridge between heavy metal and hardcore punk, carving out a unique place in music history. They helped define thrash with landmark albums like Among the Living, while also channeling hardcore’s raw energy to create a sound that would go on to influence crossover thrash, groove metal, and even rap metal. Throughout their career, they weren’t afraid to experiment beyond traditional metal boundaries, blending humor, pop culture, and diverse musical influences, and they navigated the shifting tides of the ’90s without ever losing their identity.
Photo credit - Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Anthrax
Let me tell you: Calgary’s metal scene doesn’t just appreciate thrash, it breathes it. Hosting Megadeth for their farewell concert felt like being chosen as the final stop on a sacred pilgrimage. In Calgary, a city that has long embraced metal, the stop carried extra significance. It wasn’t just another date on a tour; it was a gathering of the community, a moment to reflect on the influence Megadeth has had on the genre, and a chance to honor the music that shaped so many lives. By the final notes, it was clear that Megadeth’s farewell wasn’t a quiet exit, it was a triumphant reminder of their enduring place in heavy music, leaving the audience both satisfied and poignantly aware that an era had reached its close. The Saddledome, packed with black shirts, battle vests, and fists held high, felt less like an arena and more like a fortress of worship. The crowd wasn’t just attending a show, they were witnessing history in the making. This stop was part of the band’s lengthy, heartfelt goodbye, never intended as a nostalgia act but as a final call to arms. Megadeth approached it with one goal: to bow out on their own terms, without compromise.
After Dave Mustaine’s infamous exit from Metallica in the early ’80s, he didn’t crumble, he built something unforgettable. Over the next 40 years, Megadeth rattled foundations and challenged mindsets. From “Killing Is My Business…” and “Rust in Peace” to their final self-titled album in 2026, the band owned every inch of thrash and then some. Their riffs were precise and relentless, while their lyrics delivered sharp social and personal commentary. Megadeth didn’t just play metal, they taught it to think, to challenge, and to fight back.
Photo credit - Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Megadeth
Megadeth tore through a setlist that was both a career spanning journey and a thrash metal masterclass. Classics like “Wake Up Dead” and “Peace Sells” had the crowd singing every word in perfect unison, fists pounding the air. Newer tracks from their final self-titled album, including “I Don’t Care” and “Tipping Point,” landed with the same urgency and precision, proving that even after four decades, Megadeth’s bite is as sharp as ever. The energy in the Dome was electric, heads were thrashing, fans were crowd surfing, and every corner of the floor vibrated with unrelenting metal devotion. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a full throttle call-and-response between band and audience. Ending the night with “Symphony of Destruction” and “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” felt deliberate, a final bow that reminded everyone that Megadeth’s true strength lies not just in their music but in the lasting impact they leave on every fan.
Photo credit - Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Fans front row
By the final chord, the Saddledome was alive with the kind of reverence and exhilaration only a band like Megadeth can inspire. Every scream, every headbang, every fist raised high was a testament to decades of music that challenged, electrified, and united fans across generations. As the lights dimmed and the crowd reluctantly began to disperse, there was a shared understanding: we had witnessed history. Megadeth didn’t just play their final Calgary show, they owned it. Every note, every riff, every lyric was delivered with the intensity that has defined their career, reminding us all why Megadeth will endure as long as their music and spirit live on through the fans. The echoes of that night will resonate in the hearts of metalheads long after the last note has faded.
