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[Feb. 2nd, 2009|03:32 pm] |
So I woke up this morning with a raging headache, no voice, unable to move my head, or most of my body, for that matter. But it was so fucking worth it.
Because last night, I saw one of the most talented bands in the world, and probably in the history of music. I saw a band that I have loved and admired since I was 11 years old. I saw a band that inspired me to take up an instrument myself. I saw a band whose music has gotten me through countless times of hardship and personal hurt. Last night, I saw the band I am GOD DAMN PROUD to call my favorite band of all time. Last night was my first Metallica concert.
Words cannot describe the emotions I felt, even driving down to Newark. By the time we made it to the arena, the biggest adrenaline rush I have EVER felt hit me. I was shaking the entire time. We (me and Fitzy) split up from Mike, Danielle, Glen and his sister to go pick up our tickets. We had amazing seats. Mike and the rest were in the General Admission section. We could actually kinda see them from out seats. The stage was in the middle of the floor, with the crowd surrounding it, which was nice. It meant they didn't have to close off any of the arena. We made it with perfect timing. About 5 minutes after we sat down, The Sword went on. They were pretty good. Nothing spectacular, but very very solid, and pretty talented. Their songs seemed to drag on for a while, but in the end, they weren't bad. The only one I knew was "Freya", from Guitar Hero 3. They sounded alot like a new age Black Sabbath.
After that, Fitzy and I went to get some food, have a cigarette, and buy some shirts. I got a tour tee shirt for both Metallica and Machine Head, and a sweet Metallica shirt that caught my eye immediately. White shirt with the black outline of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the album logo where the sun should be. It looks incredible. It made me want to buy it because I was born in San Fran, and I wanted something to kinda represent with hahaha.
So we got back to our seats just as Machine Head came on. Again with the amazing timing. They opened with Clenching the Fists of Dissent, which is amazing, then went into Imperium, which is one of my favorite songs by them. Then, I think it was after that, Rob Flynn (frontman) looks around and goes "NEWARK, WELCOME TO THE REAL SUPER BOWL FUCKIN HALFTIME SHOW MOTHERFUCKERS!" He's fucking awesome. They played Halo next, another one of my favorites, then Beautiful Mourning. After that, they brought out the acoustic guitars, and Rob talked about how one of their fans lost his brother at a young age, and got a tattoo with the lyrics to the next song on his arm. Then he dedicated the song to anyone in the audience who has lost a loved one, which made me tear up a little bit (my dad passed when I was 5). I love when bands go that extra bit to connect with their fans. So they played Descend the Shades of Night, which is probably my favorite song by the band. I was like, crying a little bit and screaming along to the song and it felt so good. It was so liberating and pacifying. They closed with Davidian, which is an old song I didn't know.
Fitzy and I went out for another smoke, then headed back in to the seats and waited. Metallica hit the stage around 9:05. Lights went out, and The Ecstasy of Gold played, and the crowd went fucking nuts. It hit me like a kick in the chest. I couldn't breathe for a few seconds. Then, then the opening notes of That Was Just Your Life came on over the PA, and the band jumped in for the song, amidst an awesome laser show, I lost it. Headbanging, screaming along, thrashing with Fitzy, everything. I'd been waiting for 9 years to see them. Why should I hold back?
They played a lot of stuff from the new album. I think 6 or 7 out of the 10 songs. They played End of the Line right after the first song, and then went into the old stuff. When the first few notes of Creeping Death hit, I just kinda stood there in shock. One of their best songs. They played Harvester of Sorrow after that, and then the lights went out again. The opening sound clips from One started playing, and the pyro started. Fire started flying out of the stage. It was amazing. The song was breathtaking. When Lars started the double bass rolls, they had these things on either side of him that shot like, six jets of multi colored flames. It looked amazing. They also had giant light structures over the stage that were in the shape of the coffin from Death Magnetic that would lower and swing around and shit. It was so cool.
After One, they played Broken, Beat, and Scarred. James welcomed all the newcomers in the crowd into the Metallica Family, and talked about they were so proud to be playing music for their fans. He said how they were happy that their music helps people through rough times, and how the song was about everyone and anyone going through struggle because "What don't kill ya make ya more strong". God. Amazing. My voice was damn near gone by this point. I had been screaming to every song, and headbanging to most, too. Their set was just getting warmed up, though. They ran through Cyanide, Sad But True, Sanitarium, and All Nightmare Long, all amazing. Sanitarium was unbelieveably haunting and beautiful. After Kirk played his first guitar solo, the spotlight fell on James as the opener of The Day That Never Comes rang through the arena. I've heard this song a million times, but hearing it live was like I was hearing it for the first time. It was so beautiful and amazing and passionate.
A few seconds after that song ended, I (surprisingly) called that Master of Puppets would be the next song. I was right. Let me explain this song for me. This is the first song I heard by Metallica. I remember like it was yesterday (probably won't ever forget, either), hanging out with my friend Rich in 7th grade, and he puts on a band called Metallica, saying "oh, you gotta hear this song" and all that. That first guitar note hit, with that first muted cymbal crash, and I was fucking hooked. I don't know what about that song does what it does to me, but it's the most euphoric feeling in the world. It always helps me feel better in bad situations. So when the first few notes hit live, my brain kinda shut down for a second. I couldn't believe it. Then... the middle of the song... holy shit. Everyone had their lighters up, and it was so chilling. Guh.
After that was Blackened, which is Mike's favorite song. We were pretty sure he was going nuts to it where he was. It was really fucking impressive. That's one of those songs that I wasn't really sure if Lars would still be able to play. I mean, he's fucking old. I still love the guy though. He's hilarious. He's also one of the reasons I got into playing the drums, so he'll always be a hero to me.
After Kirk's second solo, they played Nothing Else Matters. That was like... mine and Laura's "song". So when they started playing it, it hurt for a second, then I just stopped thinking about it. I think that means I'm really over her. I enjoyed the song for what it was, and for the bond that the lyrics represent for me and my friends as well.
They ended their normal set with Enter Sandman. Holy shit, I've never heard a place scream so loud. It was incredible. Everyone was going absolutely nuts. On the floor, in their seats, wherever. The left the stage, and got a standing ovation for a good 7-8 minutes. They came back, and started playing a little of the Judas Kiss, before suddenly stopping and going into DIE DIE MY FUCKING DARLING. HOLY SHIT. I love their cover of it, but the live version is so.... ungh. They played Breadfan next, which I love, but I'm not too familiar with. Then. They. Ended. With. Seek and fucking Destroy. Jesus. Words have failed me at this point.
Overall, this was seriously the best concert I've ever been to. The most fun I've had in a long time. And I'm going again in November. Fuck yeah.
I can't find any more words to describe how unbelieveable it was. I also got a live download of the show, so I can relive it whenever I want. \m/
So thank you, Metallica.
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