“Did you have fun tonight Melbourne?”
Metallica, Rod Laver Arena (20/11/10)
As per Metallica tradition, Ecstasy of Gold by Ennio Morricone played through the loud speakers as Metallica ran onto the stage (flanked by their security guards) to a huge roar from the restless crowd (who participated in a seemingly never ending series of jovial Mexican waves not minutes before). Lasers, yes lasers lit up the opening track. There was a great energy buzzing around Rod Laver, and the band felt it too.
They sounded great, and really spot on. Sanitarium (Welcome Home) was the best received of the opening few songs. Track selection was surprisingly heavy from their 5th studio album, Metallica, with the highlights being a killer version of Sad but True and of course the crowd favourite and brilliantly played, Enter Sandman (this was preceded by a passionate version of Nothing Else Matters)
More on track selections. There were quite of few tracks from Death Magnetic (a little to the crowd’s displeasure at some points, which is a shame because it’s a great album) played between the more obvious choices such as Master of Puppets, One and Ride the Lighting. My personal favourite was the bass heavy The Outlaw Torn, taken from the 1996’s Load, which I never intend to listen to for obvious reasons. Trujillo’s bass sounded ever so good during that song – which crescendo-ed into a very thrashy ending, differing from the original.
A little about the overall show. Metallica are professionals, first and foremost. They clearly put a huge amount of time and money into their stage show which included floating metal coffins (a la Death Magnetic cover), lights, lights and more lights. The stage was a large black rectangle, with 8 microphones placed at clear intervals (imagine the pockets in a pool table) so that Hetfield could sing to all of us. In fact, the entire band worked every corner and every space and every audience member, even Lars Ulrich’s drum kit sat atop of rotating platform so he could also get involved with the entire stadium. It was a treat to watch a band as huge as Metallic get everyone so involved with their fans. Hetfield claimed very early on that the band were in a very good mood that night and that was clearly evident in his performance and they way he worked the crowd.
A little more on tracks. They thrashed out a cover of Queen’s (yes, Queen!) Stone Cold Crazy for the encore, and of course, finished the show with anthem-esque Seek & Destroy.
It was truly a ridiculously fun spectacle. Hetfield apologised for smiling at one point – he was genuinely having a fucking ball. Even if you didn’t like thrash or metal, you would have enjoyed this show. It was actually refreshing. The guys on stage were so different to the ones you saw in the film Some Kind of Monster.
The houselights came on and all band members basically stood on stage for approximately 5 minutes and basked in the glory they had created. We were all thanked, again and again by each band member as they thew guitar pics into the stage and kicked black, Metallica beach balls back into the crowd.
A great night of good old fashioned heavy metal.
Props must also go to Metallica for bringing out Baroness with them. I would think this band is mostly unknown over here, and their sludgy approach to metal differs somewhat from Metallica’s. Good on Metallica for supporting smaller bands. Baroness were in Australia earlier this year with Isis, but suffered a little from a shit sounding P.A at the Corner Hotel (although Isis sounded amazing). Definitely check out Baroness if you can. Lamb of God also entertained the audience with their very loud set.
Notes
Restless audience, Mexican waves. Crowd eploeded when band finally appeared, but not in a bad way
“in a good mood” hetfield said. Opening track had lazers. Hetfleid said they played songs they don’t normally play.
Santituariam went off,
Crazy stuff, betrayal
Stage was awesome, mics everywhere like on a pool table, so whole crowd was worked and involed.
Hetfield in a great mood
Sad but true – opening bars so heavy, the bass solo was sic.
Only hardcore fans got into the Death Magnetic tracks.
“The outlaw tornw as amazing. Never heard the track before, and it really stood out from others. A slow, grindy metal track – not appreciated much by crowd. Band standing together, around lars. , like a jam session. Crescendoed in to a fast and frenetic finish.
The One. Which went off. Master followed up (everyone mouth the first solo, which sounded awesome)
Blond bitch
Enter sandman killed it. Absolutely went down like a treat
Encore
A cover of a queen track. James playing around with the crowd. Seek and destroy, as usual. After show, basked in the approval and praise of audience, bowing, waving and throwing out pics. They n
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The Ecstasy of Gold Play Video
(Ennio Morricone cover)
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That Was Just Your Life Play Video
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Cyanide Play Video
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Ride The Lightning Play Video
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Through The Never Play Video
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Welcome Home (Sanitarium) Play Video
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The God That Failed Play Video
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My Apocalypse Play Video
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Sad But True Play Video
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No Leaf Clover Play Video
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The Outlaw Torn Play Video
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One Play Video
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Master Of Puppets Play Video
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Dyers Eve Play Video
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Nothing Else Matters Play Video
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Enter Sandman Play Video
# Encore:
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Stone Cold Crazy Play Video
(Queen cover) (with snippet of Suicide & Redemption)
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Phantom Lord Play Video
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Seek & Destroy Play Video