It was nearly ten months ago that I finally got to see my favorite metal band of all time, the one band that actually got me into the metal scene, performing live before yours truly. At Nassau Coliseum, Metallica played an amazing show filled with lasers, multi-colored flames, and of course, some killer 'Tallica classics and newer ones from their latest album. Here at MSG, it's pretty much the same thing here - the lasers, the flames, the killer tunes both old and new (some would say they played too many newer songs), the electricity in the air and anticipation from the sold-out crowd - but make no mistake, Metallica owned the Garden and proved that they are still the kings of metal and heavy (or hard) rock! My guess is that anyone who had a bad thing to say about Metallica before tonight were promptly silenced.
On this leg of the tour, Volbeat have replaced The Sword while Lamb of God have replaced Machine Head. As with the Nassau show back in January, the first two bands failed to really impress or excite me. Again, much like in the case of The Sword and Machine Head, the sheer size of the stage and the magnitude of the acoustics booming throughout arena, seemed to completely swallow up show-openers Volbeat and, surprisingly, second-tiers Lamb of God. It wasn't until the headliners Metallica took the stage and business began to pick up. Needless to say, Metallica delivered! Mosh pits took form almost immediately as the first riffs from "That Was Just Your Life" began to play throughout the Garden. What surprised me the most was that the pits kept moving even during a couple of the slower, less thrashy songs. Though, in all honesty, from my vantage point, the pits looked quite tame and pitiful by comparison to others I've seen. Either way, when they played "Sad But True", people were on their feet! When they played the familiar but still somewhat obscure, Diamond Head cover in "Helpless", they were on thir feet! Even during another cover, Bob Seger's "Turn the Page", people were on their feet AND singing along!
Of course, there were some rough parts. For example, frontman James Hetfield constantly rapping to the audience about being "part of the Metallica family" and "your love makes us feel really good" came off more like schmaltzy begging, like an employee pleading to his boss for a raise, rather than firm salutations and good wishes. Watching Lars Ulrich slinking and swaggering around the stage, teasing fans with cups of water and middle fingers really rubbed me the wrong way. I guess he's just keeping up the perceptions as how the media and former fans/haters view him as: a greedy, arrogant businessman pretending to be and posing as a drummer. And at times, the songs tend to drag along endlessly, as some newbie Metallica fans who aren't yet familiar with their music look quite bored and confused. In the end, when they drop their black Death Magnetic beach balls during "Seek & Destroy" again, both newbie and Metallica veterans are on their feet as the set ends after two hours of ear-splitting metal. Yes, the boys still got it!
VOLBEAT - Danish group playing (and sound like) Clutch-style rock. I wasn't impressed. These guys are mediocre at best and will remain as show-openers forever. Set Grade: C
LAMB OF GOD - Virginian thrashers who played all the right songs and made all the right moves, but an antipathic crowd of macho frat-boy, homophobic college jocks more interested in the heavy rock sounds of Godsmack or Disturbed, prove that LoG are not ready for the mainstream like Metallica, and may never will. Set Grade: B-
METALLICA - Another great show, but lacks the same dramatic and unexpected element that made the Nassau show so special. High energy performances from the band and an enthusiastic reaction from the sold-out crowd prove that Metallica are still masters of.... well, you know. Set Grade: B+
Overall Show Grade: B
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