legends Metallica prove they are the kings of rock

The last time Metallica played at the Leeds festival was way back in 2003, and five years later they returned whipping up a media frenzy with their new album 'Death Magnetic' due out in the next month or so, and the fact that they announced they would do a show at Londons O2 arena for £5 per ticket- as a fan that's bloody brilliant, as a cynical old rocker I would have to say they needed to do something like that to raise their media profile seeing as it took a battering during those infamous Napster court cases.

The downside to having such a fabulous live band like Metallica headlining is that you know what to expect, you know they will deliver the goods, with such professionalism that raises the benchmark for all other bands to follow.



As soon as the intro music 'Ecstasy Of Gold' started cascading over the audience, the thunderous roar of approval from the crowd became deafening, and yet it was such a wonderful thing to see all the flags gently waving in the air awaiting the ultimate rock gods arrival.

Just as the dying notes of 'Ecstasy Of Gold' faded, Metallica strolled onto the stage and ploughed straight into 'Creeping Death'. Whilst talking to people in the audience, it was clear that the person standing next to me wasn't even born when this song was first released- jesus I must be getting old!!

"Gimme An F, Gimme a U, Gimme an E, Gimme Fire, Gimme Fuel, Gimme that which I desire" bellowed Mr Hetfield as he ripped into 'Fuel.' Sending the adoring fans into a wild frenzy.

The setlist was typical of Metallica, throwing in their golden oldies such as 'Ride The Lightning' and 'Harvester of Sorrow' as well as the obligatory forthcoming tracks 'Cyanide' and 'The Day That Never Comes' from their forthcoming album 'Death Magnetic' which sounds like they have gone back to their roots and produced something which is an improvement on their more recent material.



As the audience were so young, it was clear that they were just waiting for the big power ballads from the early 90s and Metallica being aware of this gave the fans what they wanted.

'Nothing Else Matters' created a sea of lit up mobiles filling the air as they were gently swayed from side to side, as the rain soaked crowd sang along to every word.

'Sad But True' and 'Enter Sandman' also was squeezed into the setlist and that would surely be enough to keep fans of that era more than happy.

For the loyal fans, Metallica had managed to find time to include '...And Justice For All', 'One' with all the usual pyrotechnical explosions and fireworks, 'Master Of Puppets' and even 'Seek And Destroy' changing the opening line to "Scanning the scene, here in Leeds tonight".

The rock legends had come and demonstrated that when it comes to live performances, they are still the true kings of rock.

Setlist:
Creeping Death
Fuel
Ride The Lightning
Harvester of Sorrow
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Cyanide
...And Justice For All
No Remorse
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Motorbreath
Nothing Else Matters
Sad But True
One
Enter Sandman

Encore:-

Last Caress
So What
Seek And Destroy



Many thanks to Lewis and the team at Hall Or Nothing for making this review and photos a possibility.

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