LIVE REVIEW

Metallica @ The Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario Ca.

By: Gian Erguiza - January, 2008

"It's good to see all of you here Ontario, thanks for coming out and showing your support!" exclaims the larger than life frontman, James Hetfield, before exploding into the majestic metal masterpiece that is 'Master Of Puppets.' James, looking energetic and pumped, gave the crowd a jolts of joy as he manuevered around the square stage, singing from every direction of the arena. Sporting the classic black shirt, jeans and boots, along with his array of guitars from every album and tours of past, James let it all hang out.

Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' has been racking it up in the charts and has put Metallica back where they belong....at the top of the metal world. 'Death Magnetic' sees Metallica back to form and the album serves as a new chapter in the Metallica saga that has been ongoing since in the early 80's. A true Metallica album, 'Death Magnetic' has received massive praise from both critics and their beloved fans and has truly once again sparked the interest and the love that people had with the mighty Metallica.

The stage, propped in the middle of the arena, served as the stomping ground for Metallica for the night. Adorned by four large silver Coffins on each side of the stage, laser lighting system and pyro cannons, the stage really came alive. Lars' drum kit being in the middle of the stage was propped on a platform that turned after a few number of songs to let the crowd see all sides of Lars and his drum kit.

"Although we love all of our songs on our new album, we've got soe old ones for you guys tonight!" and indeed they did. After the beginning thunder of 'That Was Just Your Life' and 'End Of The Line,' out came the monstrous classic, 'Ride The Lightning.' I've not ever heard this one live and didn't think I ever would but there it was, as monstrous as it did on record. 'Cyanide' and 'Broken, Beat, and Scarred' followed with warm responses only to be followed by a montrsous roar for the classic metal epic that is 'One.' At this moment in time, it evidently came clear to me that the stage, which looked like it had maps of black tape, was apparently not black tape but instead, were pyro strategically placed all over the stage. Man it did it look awesome as the intro was splattered by fire all over the stage ending with fire surrounding James as he played the intro riff.

God must've been listening when I prayed for 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'cause they played it and it sent chills on the back of my neck. It brought me back to the days when Metallica was the only band that mattered to me. Another song that totally made my face melt was the shredtastic song, my most favorite Metallica song, 'Blackened.' That's the song that sparked a metal revolution in my head. Other songs that sounded pristine and golden were 'Sad But True,' 'Enter Sandman,' 'The Day That Never Comes,' 'Nothing Else Matters' and the most awesome 'For Whom The Bell Tolls.'

I'd also like to note how awesome the band was for the night. A lot of people have been specualting that Lars does not have 'it' no more but I thought he did great! He might've missed some here and there but for two and a half-hours of drumming? He ripped it up. Kirk Hammett? Kirk's fretwork was simply amazing. It was complete abundant shredding the whole way through, just like it was 1984. Mr. Robert Trujillo, what can I say, that fucking dude's a madman! Lurking around the stage like a preying mantis while delivering the bass lines with unchallenged authority. James Hetfield? Absolute excellence. He was the man of the hour.

For the 3-song encore, old school songs put the icing on the cake. 'Stone Cold Crazy' which I believe they haven't played much over the years just put it right there in the gut. 'Whiplash' came screaming afterwards which really almost put a tear in my eyes as that is on my top 10 best Metallica songs of all time, thanks guys. Even though I've heard that song a million times, it certainly does not get old, especially live where it's more vicious than ever.

'Seek N' Destroy' rounded out the two and a half-hour set with an outpouring of black balls stamped with 'Metallica' coming from the top of the Arena, spilling onto the crowd and onto the stage giving way for one last chance to party and have fun. The house lights were on for the whole song and in un-typical Metallica fashion, they never turned off until it was over. It was great!

So if you want to know if Metallica still has it? Yes they do. Can they still rock their old songs like they used to? Yes they can. Is there any doubt left that Metallica has gone soft? Nope. In fact, they slayed like never before and re-instated to me why I loved them so much in the first place. No one else in this world will ever sound, capture or duplicate what Metallica is: Metal Greatness.

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