Chickens Concert Series #28: Metallica!

Now I've seen 2 of the big four (you may remember Megadeth from this post but I'm still missing Anthrax and Slayer). How absolutely mind-blowing was that!?! Though I may be prejudiced because of the insanely awesome standing spots we had (also it was friggin' Metallica).
You may have to sign up to check it out but there are tour pics here.
The pic on the left is the ceiling of the stage area, decorated a la Death Magnetic.
The right pics are of the stage, we were standing in the pit area next to the stage on the right there (they only let in 60 people).

Here is the breakdown of the show:

Openers:
The Sword and Lamb of God. Both were really good, The Sword is a little more Metallica-y, good music but I couldn't hear any of the vocals. Lamb of God is high energy and more thrashy. LofG has a new CD called Wrath coming out in Feb2009.

Highlights:
Sweet location that we had.
When it was dark all of the lighters in the stands looked like hundreds of stars.
The "lasers".
Lars' giant shadow on the crowd.
They dropped beach balls on us.
I caught a pick! Woohoo!

Jerks sited:
Kids playing with lighters.
Crazy girl who almost clawed my eyes out to get a guitar pick (she wanted it more). But I got a different pick so it was OK.

The Set list:
That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
Creeping Death
Harvester Of Sorrow
One
Broken, Beat & Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
...And Justice For All
Wherever I May Roam
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Fight Fire With Fire
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
Last Caress
Breadfan
Seek and Destroy

A Brief History:
Metallica formed in 1981 in LA when Lars Ulrich posted a band advertisement in a local newspaper. In 1982 they recorded their first song called "Hit the Lights" for "Metal Massacre Vol.1", with James Hetfield playing bass, Lars on drums and Dave Mustaine on guitar. After their first live show they ditched their bassist (Ron McGovney) for a new one (Cliff Burton) that they saw at a club (they liked the cut of his jibb and how he could handle his wah-wah pedal). Then in 1983 they ditched Mustaine (because of his being hepped up on goofballs) for current lead guitarist Kirk Hammett (to whom Dave Mustaine harbours an open hostility). In 1986 Burton was killed in a bus crash while on tour in Europe. After much soul-searching they decided to keep on and recruited Jason Newsted to replace him. In 2001, Newstead left Mettalica because of irreconcilable differences, and because he wanted to release other stuff with his side project Echobrain but Hetfield was against it. Then he went and joined Voivod. Also in 2001, James entered rehab for his various addictions. During this tumultuous time a documentary about the band was made called "Some Kind of Monster" which was released in 2004. In 2003, Robert Trujillo replaced Newstead as the bassist (Newstead replaced Trujillo as the bassist for Ozzy. Ahh the circle of life). And now we find ourselves at the Metallica lineup we know and love today.

Fun Facts:
-The first run of Metal Massacre Vol.1 listed the band's name as "Mettallica"
-In 1987 Metallica had to cancel a SNL appearance because James broke his wrist skateboarding.
-In 1992 James Hetfield was accidentally lit on fire during a concert.
-Kirk Hammett took guitar lessons from Joe Satriani.
-In 1999 Metallica recorded 2 performances with the San Fransisco Symphony Orchestra which was released as their album S&M.
-Metallica was a key player in that anti-Napster thing. Remember that thing?
-GuitarHero:Metallica was announced this year to be released by March 2009.

Metallica on the Simpsons:

p.s. The new video for "All Nightmare Long" just came out! It's about zombies! It's sweet!