So, you want to know about the Metallica concert, huh? Thought so. OK, you asked for it. Click for more...(by the way...it's long)
The stage was set up as an island in the middle of the floor. A rectangle, with another rectangle of equipment set up on top of it. At one end, on top, was a drum set waiting. The other end had an unidentifyable lump under canvass. Presumably, more equipment. Over the stage, on all four sides were twin projection screens. It seems that the were going to televise the event to the screens, so everyone got a good shot at what was happening on stage. Very cool. Around the stage was enough open floor space for the band members to move around the whole thing and microphones were set up everywhere. How can you NOT like a setup like this.
When the light went out, band members were led on stage from the loading enterance. Everyone was ready for Metallica and the crowd went wild. When the lights came up, it wasn't Metallica. It was Godsmack.
Godsmack??? How did they get on stage? They were asked to be the warmup band. Now that was a pleasant surprise. They put on one hell of a show. I wouldn't have thought to go to one of their concerts before. But after seeing them tonight. Oh, yeah. I'd pay to see them any day.
Their vocals were sharp and clear. The music, crisp and clean. No missed cues. The cameras followed them flawlessly. The overhead screen always held the action without fail. As an added bonus, the tarp got pulled off the equipment on the other side of the stage and revealed another drum set.
Their drummers set turned at the end of every song, so he was playing to a different side of the auditorium for each song. Now with the other set exposed, who was going to play it? The lead singer did.
For about 20 minutes, the lead singer and the main drummer battled back and forth on the drums. It was awesome to say the least. The entire crowd was spellbound by these two. They challenged each other constantly. One would take lead, the other the backbeat. The backbeat player would throw a stick in the air (and I do mean HIGH in the air), catch it, and move into lead. The other player would now play backbeat, then throw a stick into the air, catch it and play tandem. They went back and forth like this the whole time. They played tribute to Led Zepplin, Rush, ELP, and a host of other great bands during the time they were both at it. The last time I saw dual drummers play like this was Adam Ant and The Grateful Dead. You just DO NOT see drumming like this anymore, ever.
To say they had the crowd is an understatement. They could have played all night and everyone would have forgotten about Metallica. I am impressed.
Then Metallica took the stage.
The stage was stripped down to bare nothing. The band started out playing some of their older "metal/thrash/headbanger" stuff to the point where one song sounded just like the last. They overused the pyro-technics and the sound sucked (hey, I'm trying to be polite here). You couldn't understand a word being sung. When the lead singer talked, it was OK. When he sang, forget it. Noise.
It wasn't until near the end when they did the anti-war song "God Save Us" that things started being better. They used sound clips from "Full Metal Jacket" along with combat sounds, and did a pyro show to simulate combat situations. Now that was fantastic. Did a hellava job. Good show there.
They then did "Sandman", "Unforgiven" and another recent hit to finish with.
Next time, I'm going to spend my money on Godsmack. A much better show. I'm glad they were there tonight.
Only twice before did I see the opening act blow away the headliner. Tonight makes three. Everyone outside was talking about Godsmack. Should be a lesson in this.
Last note. Every rock concert I've gone to, women usually crowded the stage, showing off all they had. At this show, the guys were hogging the rail and the girls were keeping their shirts on. Now that's just wrong.
Surprises happen. Godsmack, rocks.
Haven't gotten to see either band, but if either ever actually comes to the Verizon Center I'll remember who to plunk money down on!
Posted by: bogie | September 02, 2004 at 04:06 AM
What's wrong with good looking guys? Sounds OK to me! Glad that you had a good show. I'm assuming that Dudette did not attend with you, but she was pretty nice to see that you got to go. Were the drummers as good as Gene Krupa? (I know, my age is showing.)
Posted by: Cop Car | September 02, 2004 at 06:50 AM
Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich were in a league of their own. They performed using very small drum kits (by todays standards) and put on performances designed for a small kit. I wish they had the chance to "WOW" us with the equipment of today. Todays (good) drummers fit into the catagory of "percussionists". So it would be like comparing apples to oranges.
Still, the old guys on the newer equipment...I'd pay to see that show as well. Makes one dream.
Posted by: Wichi Dude | September 02, 2004 at 09:45 AM
I was going to buy tickets for Andy as a present, but ugh 75 bucks!??! I hate Metallica after the whole napster thing, and I wasnt about to put that money into their money grubbin pockets, so I went online and downloaded songs instead LOL I have seen them 4 times in the past before they went all crazy on kids. Im not surprised that godsmack killed them, they are a much stronger band than metallica
Posted by: Rooney | September 02, 2004 at 12:21 PM
I saw the godsmack/metallica show when they were here in Los Angeles, and while I have always like Metallica I was really going for the Godsmack show, because I *LOVE* them.
Our show was pretty much the same, Godsmack was awesome, Metallica was just like every other time I'd seen them (average).
Glad you enjoyed yourself!
Posted by: Heathen | September 02, 2004 at 02:27 PM
Godsmack SO rends the heavens.
Glad you had a good time!
Posted by: Sawni | September 02, 2004 at 09:37 PM
Indeed. I talked to some that went to the show and they had just the oposite opinion from mine. I guess they were somewhere that the speakers worked cause I couldn't make out an intelligible word out of about 20 being screamed by Metallica. Yes they were VERY energetic compared to Godsmack, but Godsmack (aside from a cluttered stage--all the other equipment was on stage with them) was so CLEAN and CLEAR. And in my opinion, they made much better "personal" connections with the crowd.
Posted by: Wichi Dude | September 02, 2004 at 10:53 PM
...you've seen adam and the ants???...please tell me it was before the *prince charming/highwayman* era :^)...
Posted by: billy | September 03, 2004 at 04:23 AM
Nope, full Revolutionary War regalia. Quite spiffy on him (for the time).
Posted by: Wichi Dude | September 03, 2004 at 01:06 PM
...you were *so* close to gaining a 47 street-cred points and then ya went and blew it :^)...
...dirk wears white socks...
Posted by: billy | September 03, 2004 at 05:30 PM
Hey, he looked silly then. Imagine what he would be looked at now.
Posted by: Wichi Dude | September 03, 2004 at 05:49 PM