Quoth the raven

Dave Mustaine, the fearless leader of Megadeth and ex-member of Metallica, has assembled a Lollapalooza for metalheads called Gigantour. The lineup boasts a bevy of high-caliber acts including Dream Theater, the Dillinger Escape Plan, Fear Factory and, of course, his own band. But one act stands out above the rest: Nevermore. Coincidentally, this Seattle-based band will release a new album, This Godless Endeavor, on the same day Gigantour hits the Cove in the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. The album promises to up the ante for “thinking man’s metal.” Vocalist Warrel Dane could make reading the Yellow Pages sound interesting, and his traveling band of gypsies—which now includes ex-Testament guitarist Steve Smyth—straddles the great divide between technical power-metal and unabashed thrash. Fans of Dane’s former band, Sanctuary, should be more than satisfied with newer songs like “Final Product” and “The Psalm Of Lydia.” Gigantour kicks off at (gasp!) 3 p.m. this Tuesday. Visit www.gigantour.com for info.