Victoria‘s metal community descended upon the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Sunday night for a thrash metal summit that felt more like a festival than a standard tour stop. Billed simply as the “Canada 2026” tour, the lineup boasted a staggering amount of heavy metal history, featuring two of the “Big 4” in Megadeth and Anthrax, supported by the legendary Bay Area thrashers Exodus. The arena was packed to the rafters, buzzing with an intensity that only a triple-bill of this magnitude could generate.
Exodus wasted no time in whipping the crowd into a frenzy. As the openers, they had a shorter window to make an impact, but they utilized every second of their six-song set. They surprised the audience right out of the gate with the live debut of “3111” before tearing into the genre-defining “Bonded by Blood.” The energy in the pit was immediate and relentless, particularly during the mosh-pit anthem “The Toxic Waltz.” By the time they closed with “Strike of the Beast,” the floor was a churning sea of denim and leather, setting a high bar for the acts to follow.
Anthrax hit the stage next, entering to the soulful sounds of “I Can’t Turn You Loose” before exploding into “A.I.R.” Joey Belladonna remains one of the most engaging frontmen in the genre, running the width of the stage and commanding the audience during fan favourites like “Caught in a Mosh” and “Madhouse.” Their set was a masterclass in pacing, balancing high-speed thrashers like “Deathrider” with the groove-heavy “Indians.” The band sounded tight and revitalized, treating their support slot with the ferocity of a headlining performance.
When the lights went down for Megadeth, the atmosphere shifted from rowdy to reverent. Dave Mustaine and company launched into “Tipping Point” and the technical marvel “Hangar 18,” immediately showcasing the precise musicianship that has defined the band for over four decades. The current lineup sounded exceptionally sharp, navigating the complex time changes of “Dread and the Fugitive Mind” and “Sweating Bullets” with surgical precision. The stage production matched the sonic intensity, with impressive visuals backing the band as they moved through their extensive catalogue.
The middle of the set offered deep cuts for the die-hard fans alongside the radio hits. “In My Darkest Hour” provided a darker, more emotional counterpoint to the aggression of “Wake Up Dead,” while the title track “Countdown to Extinction” was a welcome addition that had the crowd singing along to every word. “Symphony of Destruction” and “Trust” showcased the band’s melodic side without sacrificing any heaviness. Notably, despite “She-Wolf” appearing on printed setlists, the band skipped it, opting to keep the momentum driving forward into the final stretch.
The night concluded with a blistering sequence that reminded everyone why Megadeth remains at the top of the metal hierarchy. After a frantic run through “Mechanix,” the iconic bass line of “Peace Sells” shook the arena floor. The encore consisted of the masterpiece “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due,” leaving the Victoria crowd exhausted but exhilaratingly satisfied. It was a night that celebrated the legacy of thrash metal while proving that these veterans still have plenty of fire left in the tank.
