I now realize why Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April. The San Francisco metal pioneers utterly destroyed a nearly sold out Quicken Loans Arena, playing in the round (or rectangle, really) in support of last year’s stellar Death Magnetic. For over two hours guitarist/singer James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett, and bassist Robert Trujillo stormed around a large, bare stage, playing to all sides of the arena as lasers, lights and pyro ignited the hall. These guys might all be in their forties, but they’re a doctorate lesson in arena rock, bringing a level of energy and explosiveness that warrants the admiration and devotion of the band’s nation of fans.
Metallica opened with the first two tracks from Death Magnetic, “That Was Your Life” and “The End of the Line,” with Ulrich in the middle of the stage on a rotating drum riser while the three other band members ran around the rectangular stage, continually entertaining the entire arena. The band then mixed in its greatest hits, largely ignoring its more recent albums like St. Anger and Load to play classic cuts from Master of Puppets, Metallica, and …And Justice for All. Always the consummate professional, Hetfield worked the crowd perfectly, speaking to the Cleveland audience on several occasions, asking if they’re ready to rock, surveying the crowd for Metallica first timers, and introducing songs. “Sad But True” was introduced by asking who’s ready for it heavy, to which the audience approvingly erupted.
A slight technical glitch couldn’t derail the night either — a problematic PA left half the venue without sound during “The Day that Never Comes” — but after a short stop to assess the issue, the band decided to play through the trouble. It was the right choice and kept the momentum going for the home stretch, an onslaught of “Masters of Puppets,” “Dyers Eve,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Enter Sandman.” The band then returned after a short break for an encore highlighted by a cover of the Misfit’s “Last Caress,” which Hetfield introduced as being an early inspiration to the band. The night then closed with two of the band’s oldest tracks, “Hit the Lights,” which was played appropriately played with the house lights on, and “Seek and Destroy.” It left the crowd in a sweaty frenzy, and one that will not be forgotten. — Aaron Mendelsohn
This article appears in Oct 14-20, 2009.
THIS CONCERT SUCKS BALLS!
I’ve been a long time Metallica fan and I really enjoyed the concert….although, not the same band I saw in 1988 on the Monsters of rock tour, and then later during their Justice tour when they were in their prime…I thought the roof was gonna come down back then!! These guys still put on a great show though, they get the crowd pumped, and the music still sounds good…even through the few missed notes last night. I think Lars forgot the beginning of two songs…but hey, getting old is a bitch. The laser show was killer, and hey, I thought the black beach balls were fucking cool at the end. I love these guys and their music, I’d go to war with them anyday, they’ll never be another Metallica….fuck it all and fuckin no regrets!!
I saw Metallica both in Boston and in Cleveland. My only observation would be: Dyers Eve and no Battery? I am good with playing Eve but at the expense of Battery: not so much. The speaker problems were clearly beyond the bands control: but it took away from the over all experience. I would have appreciated a ‘loose jam’ while the speaker problems were worked out. And don’t be fooled the speaker problems started in the middle of ‘sad but true’ and continued until the middle of ‘the day that never comes.’ It was a stretch. It KILLED me to hear fellow concert goers actually Boo the show. But it took time for the band to be informed; once informed Hetfield took appropriate action though.
Did they bring the shrink on stage? Probably could’ve used him during the speaker crisis…
Are you kidding me? It was a good idea to keep playing? I payed 10.00 to see concerts that were better then that one. I don’t think I have ever been more dissapointed and angry in my life. I spent 176.00 for 2 tickets and it went from being maybe one of the best to the worst concerts I have ever been too. There is no reason why they couldnt have stopped playing or at least tried to make up the fact that half the arena missed 4 or so great songs. I saw NIN at the Q almost 2 years ago with the same problem, they stopped playing fixed the problem then played the song over and NO ONE LEFT ANGRY. If they are so about the fans like they say they are they woundlt have pretty much said F U, if u cant hear to bad were going to keep playing. As of that day I no longer own any Metallica albums.