Kata Rokkar — Kata Rokkar – A Bay Area based blog about music, life and stuff by Shawn Robbins.

On a warm California day in September, I was riding my bike around downtown San Rafael just to get some air. I pulled up to a light on the corner of 3rd and C Street and along pulls up this jet black Lexus. I casually glance over and notice that the driver of the car is James Hetfield, lead vocalist/guitarist of Metallica. Once I figured out it was him, he’d had already drove away. I guess in retrospect, I would’ve told him that I actually like their latest record, Death Magnetic. Whether you care or not, Metallica realized what they had to do in this tough music industry and that was finally make an album that wouldn’t alienate their dedicated fanbase as well as regain respect from those who have written them off after ReLoad. That is what Death Magnetic is, a return to form. I can safely say that these new songs translate very well live.

I’ll be honest though, I initially had no desire to see Metallica live. I am a fan no doubt, but I know the crowd and that is something I try to avoid altogether. But luckily my neighbor had an extra ticket and asked me if I’d like to go. Well, I just couldn’t say no. I figured I need to see them at least once in my lifetime, especially while they’re promoting such a stellar album. We arrived at the Oracle Arena during the tailed end of Lamb of God’s set (I’ve seen them once before and that was quite an experience). Walking into the venue I spotted a banner for February 3rd’s show…Avenged Sevenfold and Buckcherry. I don’t feel bad about wondering that if I were to ever to cause a mass genocide…well, you get the idea. Anyway, after passing a few aging strippers and jacked meathead assholes, we made it to our seats. The show itself was packed with lasers, flashing lights, and tons of pyrotechnics; much of what you’d expect from a Metallica concert. However, the standout moment for me was when they started playing older tunes like Creeping Death and For Whom The Bell Tolls. I felt chills; I guess I liked Metallica a little more than I thought. I started to remember when I first saw the Enter Sandman video when I was young. Metallica was huge part of my musical childhood upbringing and it was nice to hear these songs the way they were meant to be heard…live and fucking loud.

 Setlist –

That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
Creeping Death
For Whom The Bell Tolls
One
Broken, Beat & Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
The Unforgiven
All Nightmare Long
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Blackened
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
——————-
Last Caress
Whiplash
Seek And Destroy

  Jay-Z & Metallica – 99 Problems

  Lamb of God – 11th Hour

  Lamb of God – Black Label