METALLICA - LONG LIVE THE LEGEND

Last night - I fulfilled one of my dreams and attended my first Metallic concert. It was loud, it was rowdy, it was smoky in a non-smoking venue, there was a Mosh-pit, people were body surfing through the crowd - IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!I stood out like a sore thumb next to most of my fellow concert goers (I am fairly certain I am one of a small few who shops at Talbots who also enjoys a little head banging every now and again) but was thoroughly impressed, humored, entertained and proud to have spent the obnoxious amount of money I did on the tickets.

Why Metallica? I am intrigued by their longevity, I am impressed with their guitar playing, I am more impressed with Hetfields vocal range and ability to sing a tune, while keeping up the volume and raw edge that heavy metal music seems to require.

Have you ever jumped on a mountain bike behind a group of three boys who ride often and have the endurance to complete Grapevine's north shore and determine to keep up? (Ok - so again, I am in the minority here). Plug your ear buds in and give your self a nice LOUD rendition of "GIVE ME FUEL, GIVE ME FIRE, GIVE ME THAT WHICH I DESIRE"... and you will get through it. (Side note: I have done a fairly good job of keeping up and only collapsing from heat exhaustion once. This was all pre-Jackson so not sure if I can still claim that one)

I have been a follower of the band since the 80's and have had to buy two of their Black Album because I wore the first one out. They are the 7th largest selling Act in American Music History.
The 2009 Death Magnetic Tour is slated for 26 shows. Of those 26 shows - 14 of them are already sold out as of today - I expect the rest of them to sell out prior to each performance.
Death Magnetic stage - photo courtesy of www.metallica.com

Metallica started in 1981 when Lars Ulrich, drums, approached James Hetfield to record a track with him in some rinky dink recording studio. As the two learned each others styles, the eventually put a band together consisting of James, Lars, Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammett. There were some other fill-in members prior to this foursome, but they are the beginning to the legend that is Metallica.

In 1983, they launched "Kill 'Em Dead" and life as they boys knew it, was over. Their poplularity soared in both the US and Europe.

In September of 1986, a tour bus crash took the life of bassist Cliff Burton. I don't need to tell you how many bands have fallen apart after the loss of a key member. The fact that Metallica stayed together, grieved through the loss of their family member and emerged the other side, is a true testament to their committment to their band and the fans.

Jason Newsted joined Metallic as the bassist after Burton's death. Having seen a few documentaries about the History of Metallica, they will be the first to admit, it was a party, a long, drawn out party, that almost did them in. It contributed to the turmoil that eventually led to Newsted leaving the band in 2001.

In 1991 Metallica launched the Black Album - It was number 1 on the charts for weeks and sold over 15 million copies worldwide. This is my favorite Metallica album - the one I mentioned earlier having to replace as I wore the first one out.
Metallica in 1991'ish.
Photo courtesy of www.metallica.com

2001 and was the year for healing, new beginning and refocusing on their creative energys and where they wanted to take the band. Hetfield went to rehab and the others "embarked upon various levels of deeper discovery about themselves" (excerpt from www.Metallica.com) They were not in a hurry to replace Newsted and in fact had rented an old army barrack - The Presidio, to begin work on what would be the next decade of Metallica history. After holding open auditions, in walks Robert Trujillo, bassist who has played for Ozzy, Suicidal Tendencies and some others, but was not widely known in the industry. As I remember from the documentary, according to James: "in saunters this long haired kid who was so laid back, we just thought he was here to meet the band - we had no real expectations. He picked up a bass and started playing every one of our songs to precision" (paraphrase - it was a while ago since I saw the show) "and we knew he was the fourth member"
Hetfield and Hammet on stage.
Photo courtesy of www.metallica.com

Who is Metallica?

James Hetfield born in 1963, married with 3 kids and attends his daughter's ballet classes when time permits. A perfectionist who is often at times difficult to deal with in the studio if he doesn't think you are giving it your all and will require several takes before he is satisfied. (another curious thing to me - I wouldn't have thought this type of music required perfection, but to see the documentary where they literally would redo the same guitar riff over and over again until he was satisfied)
Photo courtesy of www.metallica.com



Lars Ulrich - born in 1963, father of three, who will speak his mind and always let you know where you stand with him. Last night he pulled a young boy out of the audience and let him pound out the first three beats of "Seek and Destroy" on the drums. Very cool to watch.
Photo courtesy of www.metallica.com




Kirk Hammet, born in 1962, married with one child. A self proclaimed student to the guitar. After the Black Album tour (remember 15 million copies sold world wide), he went to City College of San Francisco to continue his education and open further channels for music writing and theory.
Photo courtesy of www.metallica.com





Robert Trujillo - born 1964, married with 2 kids. Calm, even keeled man who occassionally uses a pick, but is described as a "baaaaaaad motherplucker, a finger playin bass monster".
Photo courtesy of www.metallica.com












I cannot even begin to describe how amazing it was to witness these 4 guys, bring an audience of over 18,500 to their feet in one big-foot stomping, fist pumping, frenzy and have for over 26 years. 26 YEARS!!! Very few bands in Amercian History can say they have sold out crowds consistently for 26 years. This is a band that does not loose a fan, but gains a new one in younger generations. The age mix at the concert was all over the place, but every person in the crowd was on their feet, bouncing to the rythm that you couldn't help but feel in your chest each time Ulrich pounded that bass drum (kudos to the sound engineer!)

Photo courtsey of www.metallica.com

I wont put any of the video I took with my cell on here because it doesn't do them justice, but here is a small snippet of "Unforgiven". This particular song has three renditions, all recorded in different times of the bands history. I know I probably wont convince many, if any, of you to enjoy, appreciate or even like this band, but for whatever reason, they are one of a few who will remain at the top of my list. And so you know I am well rounded, I also bought tickets to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra this week as well.

Correction- snippet below is Nothing Else Matters. Oh the horror - for not knowing.