Ok...I've been to a few MetallicA shows so far since I've become an avid CrazyMetChick. But, nothing had prepared me for what I experienced Tuesday night, November 23, 1999 in New York. MetallicA played Madison Square Garden with the Orchestra of St. Luke's. It was, for lack of a better word...unbelievable. I mean, there are really no words to describe it. But, I've found that for basically everything MetallicA does. However, this was no exception.
I've put together a detailed review of the night. Many of my close MetallicA freaks have already read it, but if you care to see the view of the concert from a CrazyMetChick's POV, read on!!
Cover Of The Program
Ok...we all know that MetallicA kicks some major ass, to put it lightly. It's become a common fact. But when you combine the powerhouse sound of these 4 bad Boyz with the Orchestra of St. Luke's of NY...prepare to get your ass kicked twice as hard! This show was, for lack of a better word, amazing! Too unbelievable to explain, but I'll do my best.
From the start, before we even got to our seats, the crowd was more than ready for a great show. "MetallicA rules!", "MetallicA kicks ass!", and many other variations of chants and screams were heard all throughout the Garden on our way there. A packed house...very packed. But braving the herds of fans was only the beginning.
Finally, we had made it to our seats...and very good seats at that. The lights dimmed, and that fucking genius Michael Kamen walks out onto the stage. The place went nuts!! I mean, we all realize that he's the one who decided to put these "two talents opposite the musical spectrum" together. We already know how great he is, by hearing "Nothing Else Matters", having done the orchestration for that great song. Anyway, he comes out and we're all clapping and screaming, and you could tell he absolutely loved it! Then out comes the Orchestra, and it got even louder! Where would the night be without them??
They started by playing the all-famous MetallicA intro "Ecstasy Of Gold". I'll tell you something...I get shivers down my spine and goose-bumps whenever I hear that song, cuz you KNOW the Boyz aren't far behind.
After a good intro, out comes the man himself...Jaymz. He was looking as sharp as ever, especially in his new cut!! Dressed all in black, but smiling like a madman, my expectations of the show were locked, realizing that this was definitely going to be one to remember! One by one, they came walking out. Lars was next, strolling over to his drum kit, then Jason, headbanging already. And finally Kirk, ready to kick some ass.
They played "Ktulu" right from "Ecstasy", and basically, if you have the new S&M CD, they went through like that. It was great! Here's the set list of how the night went:
Ecstasy Of Gold
Call Of Ktulu
Master Of Puppets
Of Wolf and Man
The Thing That Should Not Be
Fuel
The Memory Remains
No Leaf Clover
Hero Of The Day
Devil's Dance
Bleeding Me
-intermission-
Nothing Else Matters
Until It Sleeps
For Whom The Bell Tolls
-Human (Minus Human)
Wherever I May Roam
The Outlaw Torn
Sad But True
One
Enter Sandman
Battery
After "Ktulu", the crowd really got going when Jaymz started the vocals for "MOP". "Master, Master!" was heard all throughout the crowd, chanting and yelling, with fists in the air. Was it great! It got the mood going in the right direction, and everyone was ready for more.
The more they played, the more I wanted the night to continue forever. If they could have played more songs, it would have been amazing to hear what else they could do with the Orchestra. The songs were definitely MetallicA, but the Orchestra added a different mood...even heavier than one would think. This was NOT a calm MetallicA concert by any means!
"Wolf", "Thing", and "Fuel" were also great. No pyros for this concert, but the lights set up on stage were very interesting. I personally liked them a lot. Great presentation!
"The Memory Remains" was really fun, getting into it as we all sang the part usually done by MaryAnne Faithful. It was hilarious hearing all the "Da da da da's" from guys dressed all in black leather, spiked black hair, and lighters in the air.
"No Leaf Clover" was one of the new songs, but really amazing. Not too many people attempting to sing along to this one, and it was funny to hear the place so quiet. But it was a great song, and I'm really curious how it would sound without the Orchestra. I heard that Jaymz had written this song 2 years ago, but thought it would go really good with the Orchestra. He was right!
"Hero of The Day", "Devil's Dance", and "Bleeding Me" were all amazing. After listening to these songs tons of times, then hearing them like this...totally blows my mind.
There was a brief intermission, when Band, Orchestra and all left the stage, and gave us a short time to rest our feet from standing, and we finally got to sit in the seats we paid for. For every MetallicA show I've been to, I've paid for seats but never sat in them!
The lights dimmed once again, and the Orchestra came out, followed by Michael Kamen. The search was on to see where the Boyz were going to emerge from. Then, out came Jaymz, and once again we stood, blowing our vocal cords out of commission again. He sat within the Orchestra, and the spotlight was on only him, as he began to play "Nothing Else Matters" then, out comes Lars, and joins him in about the second verse, along with Jason and Kirk. That song was great!
Right from "NEM" came "Until It Sleeps", and that was unbelievable! A personal favorite of mine, but it was very heavy, especially with help from the Orchestra.
Then they started "Bellz", and that was definitely one of the main crowd pleasers of the night. I'm surprised the fuckin roof wasn't blown off the Garden by that point! Unbelievable!! Chants and screams louder than any other song so far.
After calming down a bit, but not too much, Jaymz begins "-Human", the second new song for the CD. It didn't seem like too many people knew the words to this song either, or what it was, because once again, the place grew eerily silent. But, it was amazing, and one of my favorites of the night. It's a bit heavier than "Clover", but definitely a good one.
"Wherever I May Roam", was another great one, with "The Outlaw Torn" following right behind. I have been waiting too long to hear that song live, and as they started, the place went insane. It was interesting to hear them play that one live, especially the beginning. Usually on the Load CD, the end is faded out, but this had a very pleasing ending. If you have S&M, give it a listen.
"Sad But True" brought out the heavier side once again, and "One" was no exception. The place grew pitch dark, and the machine guns began. It felt like we were surrounded by helicopters, and then the Orchestra began. Lights flashing, heads banging, fists, hands, and arms in the air...once again, definitely one of the main crowd pleasers of the night.
"Enter Sandman", was welcomed very well. As they got to the very end, it seemed as if they were finished, but the Orchestra kept going, and the ass kicking boom! came, with chants that followed.
After they finished "Enter Sandman", they thanked the Orchestra and Michael Kamen, as he walked out and spoke a bit. The crowd knew there was one more left, chanting "MetallicA!", and banging their feet, seats, and clapping. The Garden was nuts! If you've ever been to a MetallicA concert, you know how they are with encores. Hell...there was one more song on the program...they weren't getting off that easy!
Chants of "MetallicA!, MetallicA!", began, as Jaymz switched guitars for the final time, and they began "Battery". What a song to end with!!
It was a mind-blowing 2 & 1/2 hours of pounding metal! Even with the Orchestra it was heavy. That's one thing MetallicA will never loose! Even in their ballads, you can find a hint of heaviness there.
I'd have to say that this concert was definitely an experience, and my friend who came along with me had the pleasure of it being his first MetallicA concert. What a show to start with! I've been lucky to have seen them a few times before, and this was definitely different! But, if you get to see them for anything...go, go, go!!
Well, that's my night, to sum it up briefly. I hope you weren't too bored. Thanks for wanting to know about it, and thanks for reading.
