Wow, CS, I'm impressed. Some pretty heavy stuff there. Coincidentally, I recently went to a Megadeth concert for which Children of Bodom opened, along with Job For A Cowboy and In Flames. How the hell those guys can get up there and make some of the sounds they make without causing lasting tracheal damage is beyond me. Megadeth is more my speed, but it was cool to see some of the heavier shit out there.
Recently I went to see Metallica (AWESOME!), and Lamb of God and Gojira opened. Ever listen to either of them?
Now I'm impressed! Been an In Flames fan for a long time. Lamb of God is hit or miss. I either really like the song or don't like it at all. Gojira is a little too avant garde for me, maybe it's because their French. They're talented nonetheless.
As far as the new Metallica, I'm not a huge fan of it but it beats the last 4 previous albums of theirs but a country mile. The Megadeth is impressive with their new lead guitarist. Probably their best since Rust in Piece. Marty Friedman is tough shoes to fill, but the new guy is just sick.
I'm going to Mayhemfest in August in Atlanta. The anticipation is killing me.
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners." -- Charlton Heston