MEGADETH: Beijing Show Ends Abruptly After One Hour

MEGADETH‘s show at the MasterCard Center in Beijing, China today, Tuesday 6th October, ended abruptly after only an hour in what seemed to be an abbreviated set by the American metal band, according to the beijinger.com.

Signs indicate that the performance may have been shortened or stopped by officials, with one well-known track, ‘Skin of My Teeth’, played instrumental instead of with its usual lyrics.

For a band with a 30-year career, there seemed to be an inordinate number of instrumentals and extended guitar solos. The band also did not play several of their best known songs including ‘Holy Wars’ and ‘Angry Again’.

Megadeth founder and lead singer Dave Mustaine‘s comments at the end of the show may have indicated some kind of official action to stop. “Thank you for leaving so that we can come back and play again,” he said from the stage as the band waved to the crowd after performing ‘Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?’

Audience members departed without incident, despite disappointment and surprise at the show’s brevity. Ticket prices for the concert in the Center’s Huiyuan Space ranged from RMB 680-1,280.

Mustaine seems to be enjoying his visit to Beijing. “Thanks to our promoter for taking us to [Beijing duck restaurant] Bian Yi Fang for dinner last night. It was delicious, and spending time together was even better,” he tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.

Megadeth is set to play Shanghai on Thursday, before heading to Japan for the annual Loud Park metal festival. Tuesday night’s show was the group’s first in Beijing, although it has played Shanghai previously in 2012. Comment was not immediately available from the band or event organizers.

Megadeth Beijing