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Date: 2008-12-01
Location: Seattle, WA - United States [17 shows here]
Venue: Key Arena [8 shows here]
Fan reviews: 1 - Add yours!
Author: Nick Jaconsen
Setlist: Yes
What’s the best way to capitalize on an ominous, heart-thumping (literally) album opener? Bring it out on the road and use it to even greater effect as a concert opener! The green lasers, the suspended coffins, the pounding heart melding into the familiar opening beats of “That Was Just Your Life”… perfect. The boyz came out full force and unleashed one of the fastest songs from their newest album, then launched straight into the moshpit-frenzying “The End of the Line”, and did not let up all night. The energy was on a level that I have not witnessed from Metallica in nearly 10 years. James was headbanging as hard as the wildest members of the audience; at one point Kirk’s frenetic soloing pulled the guitar strap completely off his shoulder (he finished the solo flawlessly anyway); Lars couldn’t get enough of the profane banter and gesturing that he was trading with the pit; and Rob, well, just plain Rob- the helicopter of bass players. Set design in this arena show was original and entertaining. Flames erupted from seemingly every piece of the stage, switching locations, intensities, and even colors depending on the song. At one point the guitarists were playing within half-rings of torches spewing from the floor. Very visual, very compelling. Other highlights (for me, anyway) included a slowed-down and lung-wrenching performance of “The Day That Never Comes”, easily James’ best vocal of the evening. This was followed by a song that the whole crowd had been waiting for, and when the opening riff of “Master of Puppets” pounded into the arena, you could tell they were ready for it. Even the standard “Seek and Destroy” ending was spectacular, with a new twist put on an old favorite as hundreds of black rubber balls fell from the ceiling like heavy metal rain on the crowd below. Of the three Metallica shows I’ve seen, this was definitely the best. I think the energy and enthusiasm for the Death Magnetic material gives the guyz (and the audience) a freshness that puts their performances above even their own stratospheric standards of entertainment.

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