The One and the Only One
Written: Jan 05 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Remains one of the greatest metal bands of all time.
Cons: none
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| sleestakk's Full Review: Metallica |
Last night (January 4, 2000) I saw Metallica for the 20th some odd time at the Allstate Arena (formerly the Rosemont Horizon) just outside of Chicago. It was yet another exhilarating performance by one of my top five favorite bands of all time. At some point during the show I experienced a moment of reflection about how not only has Metallica played a pivotal role in the validity of heavy music becoming mainstream but how I've grown up with this famous foursome.
I first heard Metallica when a friend dropped the needle on 'Ride The Lightning' back in 1984, and I quickly realized what I had heard was different from anything else I had heard up to that point. Shortly thereafter, I witnessed my first Metallica concert, and that evening forever changed how I viewed the music I chose to listen to. That concert was held during a whiteout blizzard in the middle of Iowa back in February of 1985. I was sixteen at the time and I knew these guys on stage couldn't be much older.
Fifteen years later I've seen Metallica numerous times on all their tours. I can't recall any time where this band has let me down in their music, their live shows, their attitude or anything else for that matters. That snowy night back in 1985, as I pressed against the stage, I watched these four kids blow the roof off the joint. It didn't matter to them that maybe only 60 people showed up; what mattered to them was putting on a blistering, ear-splitting performance those 60 people would never forgot. Years later in front of tens of thousands of people in soldout arenas and stadiums all over the world, Metallica's mentality has remained unchanged.
Last night in front of a packed house on their limited 10-date Midwest engagement, Metallica had the same effect. Undaunted, Metallica whizzed through song after song each representing a different chapter in their short 18 year career. They managed to include a tune off almost all their official releases, the notable exception being 'Garage Days', which can be overlooked since it was included in the recent 'Garage Inc.' double CD package. Each tune matched the intensity of the last. Also included were a couple of gems off their debut 'Kill 'Em All' that I haven't heard live in a long, long time; those were "The Four Horseman" and "Phantom Lord", which was the final encore.
It's weird to think that I've spent half my life growing up with Metallica's music, which has also grown up along the way. Metallica started as a pure thrash metal band. Slowly they transformed into genuine purveyors of heavy metal creating tunes of epic proportion. Then, in 1991, Metallica did what no one thought was possible; they turned their chunky riffs into radio-friendly hits. Their path to success was set and there would be no looking back. But what does Metallica do? They turn the tables again and move their style to a more hard rock format rather than strictly heavy metal. Not long after that output, Metallica re-invents their classics by surrounding them with a symphonic score and performing them with a full-piece orchestra.
Throughout all this, Metallica has had its share of criticism and setbacks. But instead of listening to their critics and folding, Metallica did what they always did. They did what they wanted to because they felt it was the right thing to do a the time. I admire that in a band, and this is just another reason why I enjoy them so much. Rather than churning out the same material over and over or doing what their fans expected, Metallica chose to evolve their style in the face of adversity they'd come to expect. That's an attitude that's remained constant since their garage days.
I respect and appreciate what Metallica has accomplished because it reminds me of the struggles and transformations I've gone through over the same period of time. I may not have reached the same level of success, but I have enjoyed personal successes in the face of criticism. But this isn't about me, it's about Metallica. Metallica has persevered and become the biggest arena-rock metal band in the world. There's no denying that fact. They also sold more records than any other metal band in the 90's.
There's no question they've affected my life, and somehow I'd like to think that they've affected the lives of the millions of fans they've generated in a similar fashion. Even if they've lost some fans Metallica continues to gain new ones. I just hope all their fans can appreciate Metallica's contributions like I have.
After viewing the rousing performance I saw last night, I couldn't be happier for their success. I may not be squished against the stage like in the old days, but I can accept that knowing how Metallica has influenced the general perception of heavy rock in the mainstream and still do the thing they love the most - entertain their dedicated legions of fans. And, as Metallica has so poignantly expressed, the memory still remains of those four brazen kids commanding the stage with their youthful zeal.
Say what you will about Metallica just don't ignore the fact that Metallica has impacted metal in a way no other band has during the last 15 years. I doubt many of the recent heavy rock bands would be enjoying their current success had Metallica not already paved the way. Metallica has come along way from their early thrash leanings, but one thing's for certain, Metallica is still a garage band only the garages they play in are a lot bigger these days.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sleestakk
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Member: Jay Stakk
Location: Chicago
Reviews written: 186
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