FEBUARY 17th, 2026
MEGADETH CANADA 2026
Review by Steven Richard Hensey
From the moment the doors swung open at Rogers Forum on a cool Tuesday night, there was a electric buzz in the air — a current that only grows in intensity when the lineup lists three of thrash’s most iconic names. Fans of all ages packed the venue, many clearly seasoned gig-goers who had followed these bands for decades, and others younger listeners discovering the genre’s roots on this special tour that celebrates both past and present. This was megadeth's final tour? We shall see!
The evening kicked off without ceremony but with pure ferocity as Exodus blasted onto the stage. Opening acts aren’t always expected to steal the show, but Exodus didn’t come to play second fiddle — they came to prove a point. Now with Rob Dukes at the helm with their razor-sharp riffs from Gary Holt and Lee Altus and the relentless bass & Drum tempos of Jack Gibson and Tom Hunting, they set the tone for the night with a raw, unfiltered thrash metal. The band’s energy was infectious and fresh; arms raised, heads banged, and the pit quickly formed into a swirling sea of denim and leather and spilt beer. Their set was short ( 6 songs) but impactful — and by the time the last scream rang out, the crowd was already hungry for more.
Next up was Anthrax, and fans were quick to note — both during and after — that the New York veterans delivered an absolute fun in performance. Frontman Joey Belladonna commanded the stage with formidable charisma, his voice cutting through the mix with the punch and clarity fans have come to cherish over the decades. Anthrax’s setlist was a barrage of classic anthems and crowd-pleasers that kept almost everyone screaming back the lyrics. Anthrax preformed classics such as " Caught In A Mosh", "Madhouse" " I Am The law". Tracks like “Antisocial" and “Indians” lit up the arena, inciting sing-alongs that felt like a gang chant uniting generations. Guitarist Scott Ian prowled the stage with a manic grin, shredding with precision and whipping the audience into a frenzy. A number of concertgoers later taking to social media agreed that Anthrax not only matched the energy of the headliner — in a few moments, they arguably surpassed it.
By the time Megadeth took the stage, the crowd was primed and electrified. Most were in the merch line securing a $70 dollar tour shirt but this was a keep sake as most felt this could be Megadeths last tour. As the curtain dropped all four members launched into their set with the sort of intensity you'd expect from a band declaring this leg of their tour a farewell, the arena erupted. Dave Mustaine, despite decades on the road and well into his 60s, still led with fearless guitar work and a snarling presence that oscillated between playful banter and ferocious thrash riff delivery. The band touched on deep cuts and beloved anthems alike, threading together a career-spanning set that both satisfied diehards and kept newer fans riveted. Highlights that night included an explosive “Wake Up Dead”, a soaring “Tornado of Souls,” and the sing-along eruption when “Peace Sells” hit. There were also a few pleasant surprises: rarer picks like “Poison Was the Cure” and “She-Wolf” made it into the lineup. The emotion in the arena was heavy — part reverent, part ecstatic. Fans around me were mouthing every lyric, some with eyes closed, completely lost in the moment. Mustaine’s voice — seasoned with age but still potent — carried through the arena, punctuating classic riffs with the emotional weight of a band aware this era of their journey may be closing.
The crowd’s reaction throughout Megadeth’s set was nothing short of euphoric. From head-banging pit storms during high-octane numbers to the unified roar of the audience singing along, the connection between band and fans was unmistakable. When the final chords of “Holy Wars…” rang out and the band left the stage, the audience stayed standing, clapping and chanting long after the amps went quiet....I thought, was this the end the final curtain for Megadet
The night was a success! The mix was tight between guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, bassist James Lomenzo and drummer Dirk Verbeuren, and each sound cut through the cavernous space with clarity, power, and a visceral punch that made every song resonate. If this was the last time seeing Megadeth I was a happy camper.
Looking back on what stood out most was how well these metal titans still commands a modern stage. There was no sense of nostalgia as merely a crutch; instead, it stood as evidence of the lasting relevance and energy these bands still deliver night after night for so many years. Roger’s Forum wasn’t just hosting a concert — it was bearing witness to a moment of thrash metal converging, leaving everyone in attendance with bleeding ears, bruised shoulders, and the unmistakable thrill that only this music can provide.
In the end, the Abbotsford show was more than just a gig — it was celebrating Megadeth's long history and testament to endurance, passion, and the unbreakable bond between fans who helped define an entire thrash metal genre. Get tickets to see this tour across Canada and dont have any regrets missing this one!