Metallica Entertainment Art Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL January 26, 2009

Being a virgin to a Metallica concert I was unsure what to expect. Performing in the round, the show opened looking more like a Pink Floyd laser show with Ennio Morricone’s classic tune "The Ecstasy of Gold" (from the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) blasting from the speakers as the boys made their way to the stage. The show quickly kicked into high gear with “That Was Just Your Life” and “The End of the Line,” the first two tracks off the new album, Death Magnetic . However before anyone could make any conclusions of tonight’s set, singer James Hetfield squashed all fears addressing the crowd and proclaiming, “what goes good with the new stuff - is the old stuff.” The band then ripped into the crowd pleaser “Creeping Death” from the band’s 1984 album, Ride the Lightning.

Although touring off of their latest album, the show felt more like a greatest hits show and who’s complaining? Old and new, the band delivered every song with such intensity from a set list that would please any hardcore or casual fan. “ONE“ was introduced complete with helicopter sounds and an eerie instrumental along with a slew of eyebrow sizzling fiery pyrotechnics. “Master of Puppets” became the audience participation portion of the evening (as one can imagine). “Nothing Else Matters” was a tight performance with Lars Ulrich’s shredding the skins to make the song metal perfection.

The stage it’s self was a bare bones affair, but it was what was above the stage that showcased the real eye candy. Above the band housing some of the lights and framing all around the stage, were suspended coffins mimicked the cover of Death Magnetic. These coffins at times had a mind of their own that would come down like robotic arms to light the band in different ways and add that extra drama to an already electric affair. Hetfield wasn’t the only guy in the band giving his all this evening. All the guys tonight looked great, from Kirk Hammett running around the stage looking much like his “Dracula” themed guitar going in for the kill, as the Metallica jersey wearing Robert Trujillo on bass kept the beat to Lars Ulrich’s usual power bashing on the drums. The guys were truly in sync tonight.

Encoring with “Seek and Destroy” was an unexpected choice that echoed perfection even hours after the stage became dark and fans were back safe at home. Tonight’s strategy of mixing the new and the classics made for a remarkable well balanced musical cocktail. Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett and newer member Trujillo, have proven to be seasoned veterans and still remain true to their metal legacy.

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