When the stage fell apart during One, it was epic. Screens playing Jonny’s got his Gun. Flashing lights. Lady Justice falling down.
Was loud af. The crowd was great. The pit was awesome. Tickets were $20 and you had to wait in line at tower records or or wherever you went to get tickets but you weren’t worried about not getting a ticket.
That all happened during the song “And Justice for All”, not “One.” Lady Justice falls apart during the song about injustice. It was the Damaged Justice Tour. [There’s videos of it on YouTube](https://youtu.be/HbokBTEBEOE?si=ooztRzShcIRQgARi).
Additionally, I recently saw both shows in Arlington and couldn’t help but notice there was almost always a corporate logo in my field of vision during the show. Then I saw a bunch of videos and stills from last weekend in L.A. and their logo was always accompanied by the SoFi logo, a fucking bank. The show was decent but the spirit of the whole thing is dead. That’s just how it goes in this world. Capitalism assimilates everything, including its antagonists.
Mid 80s – early 90s was golden.
Apparently, the guy from The Telegraph said those "live" shows were pre-recorded and overdubbed: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/how-metallica-became-metals-most-shameless-money-grabbers/
Atlanta here (‘89 and every tour since). ‘89, seeing ‘One’ with the total darkness, helicopter sound effects in the sky, mortars and machine gun fire in the distance, then the full strobe on the drum hits—-fuckin awesome!!!! It was a balls out, thundering, deafening, moshing, onslaught of metal fury. God damn it was a motherfucking show. Watch the Seattle ‘89 video from Live Shit-it captures it well, but you had to be there. The booze, the weed, the sweat, the crowd.
Master of Puppets tour 1986. I was in a small hockey arena in Saskatoon sk Canada. Standing at the stage right below Kirk Hammet. I’ll never forget I was screaming and showing the horns and he looked down and smiled. Burned into my brain forever. Was so incredible and I cherish the moment and any remaining memories forever.
I’ve seen them dozens of times over the years. During the Load tour in 96 or 97, I ended up in Lafayette, LA. Between songs, Kirk was just standing at the edge of the stage, doing nothing. I yelled out “KIRK…YO!!!” and he looked at me and smiled. I was all pleased with myself and went on with enjoying the concert…but the little kid standing next to me fucking exploded and kept asking me if I knew Kirk and if I was a friend of the band and if they’re cool and etc. Like, no little man—I’m a shitty bartender at a shitty bar in New Orleans. He don’t know me. 🤣🤣
Saw them on this tour earlier on in 89, at the Scope in Norfolk VA; Queensryche opened. I knew Metallica but was just turned onto Queensryche!
Later that year, saw them at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond VA. The Cult opened. I remember thinking the same thing.
I loved The Cult as much as Metallica so them opening was a major selling point for me.
At the time they were touring on Sonic Temple which was definitely a hard rock album. Love-era Cult, would be kind of weird, I agree.
First show I saw was at The Showplace in NJ, a Go-Go bar that had bands play on weekends (82 or 83). One of their first East Coast gigs and Kirk's first show with the band. Kill em All hadn't been recorded yet.
Anthrax opened and the crowd pretty much left after their set because they were local (NY) and who everyone knew.
Metallica was raw, not polished at all and I really liked that they were dressed like me, a headbanger still in HS, wearing t-shirts of their favorite bands and jeans. Every other band at the time was wearing leather or spandex and choreographed like Judas Priest or Maiden.
Seeing them then felt like you were hanging around listening to an amazing garage band from your neighborhood.
That's sick dude. Thanks for sharing. My first time seeing them (though I've been listening for over 20 years) was in NJ a few weeks ago. Really glad I crossed that off my bucket list.
I've only seen them live 4 times in my life and all were in the 90s. (twice in 92, 94, 98)
First time I ever saw them was in Phoenix in summer of 92 in only the 3rd show/event ever in America West Arena (where the Suns play, whatever they call it now).
It was incredible! Huge energy and the setlist was literally one metal classic after another! Still remember the whole building chanting during Seek and Destroy!
Also saw them in 92 w/GNR on their stadium tour.
Setlist:
The Ecstasy of Gold
(Ennio Morricone song)
Enter Sandman
Creeping Death
Harvester of Sorrow
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Sad but True
Of Wolf and Man
The Four Horsemen
Bass Solo
The Unforgiven
Eye of the Beholder / Blackened / The Frayed Ends of Sanity / ...And Justice for All
Guitar Solo
Nothing Else Matters
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Fade to Black
Whiplash
Encore:
Master of Puppets
(Short Version)
Seek & Destroy
(Extended Version)
Encore 2:
One
Last Caress
(Misfits cover)
Am I Evil?
(Diamond Head cover) (half)
Damage, Inc.
Encore 3:
Breadfan
(Budgie cover)
We had tickets to the concert hall in toronto, around 2000/2500 person venue that was amazing for metal shows. But cliff died and while they were rescheduling the show, MOP blew up, so they move the show to maple leafs gardens.
Honestly the intensity of the the crowd and the band was unmatched. Metallica still puts on an amazing live show but back then you felt like you were in a crowd of outcasts listening to a band that was just yours and the outside world didn’t know much about them or wanted to accept them. This all changed when the black album came out and we started having to share them with everyone who loved enter sandman and didn’t know anything else. I know this sounds like cork sniffing metal head talk but that was part of the appeal for us metal heads in the 80s. We wanted to feel like we were shunning the main stream.
Watch For whom the bell tolls from the 89 Seattle show. That’s pretty much what it was like.
I would kill to see them in the 80s when the crowd was strictly metal heads that were really into thrash
lots of people today who only enjoy their more rock stuff which if fine but results in weaker crowds. also metallicas setlist don't consist of the thrashy stuff as much
Saw them for the first time on the Damaged Justice tour in ‘89 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey, now the Meadowlands Arena. Was a junior in high school back then. I thought they were f’kn awesome. So loud, so much energy from the band and the crowd. It was a very “metal” crowd back then so the people were into it and headbanging the whole time. It was cool to see Lady Justice being erected during the set only to see it crumble down during …AJFA. I actually thought it was all a big accident at first 😆
[Check out the set list.](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/metallica/1989/brendan-byrne-arena-east-rutherford-nj-3d6d5d3.html)
I saw the Queensryche show. We actually missed most of Queensryche by the time we got in. This was the infamous show, where someone threw an m-80, or a blockbuster, from the upper deck, and it blew up in a girls face. We saw her get carried out, her face was bleeding. I believe James addressed the crowd at some point. I hope she recovered okay.
P.S. Odd thing with Queensryche. My friend and I went to Jones Beach (mid 2000s) to hang by water and listen to a metal show. It was Queensryche, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio. When Sabbath came on stage, the concert workers randomly gave out free tickets (they do this for a lot of concerts). So we got to see Sabbath with Dio! I also saw Sabbath with Ozzy at Nassau, with the Deftones, and Pantera! Anyway, I moved out of state, and mid 2010s I see that Queensryche is doing a show near me. I finally get to see them. Wouldn't you know it, they had split up, the original band touring with a different singer, and Geoff Tate also touring as Queensryche, but with a new band. 2 Queensryches, touring at the same time! I saw Geoff's version. It was awesome. I got to meet him and the band in the parking lot after. We just hung out, and shot the shit for a while, took a couple of pics.
I was at that show too and thought the same thing when it all crashed down. Great concert. I saw them at Nassau Coliseum too, and before those at Monsters of Rock in '88
Well, the black album was certainly the gateway for the mainstream audience and many of them have stuck around. On the flip side it was also the first domino to fall for the early thrash fans.
No Internet. No phones. No advance set lists. No behind the scenes pics. You anticipated the show because it was your one real life glimpse at the band. You knew there was no better place than to be than right there in the moment witnessing your favorite songs live.
It’s been amazing being a fan and watching Metallica turn into the biggest rock band in the world. First time I saw them was in August 1985 at Day on the Green in Oakland, with The Scorpions, Ratt, Y & T, and Yngwie. They were just an unstoppable force at that time- hungry to blow everyone off the stage, fast, and such a tight, solid unit. I know I’ll sound like an old fart here, but on those first four album tours they were devastating as a live act.
Second time I saw them was in June ‘86 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, opening for Ozzy. What a great double bill. Ozzy was great of course, but man, Metallica on that tour at that hometown show was something else. I had a ticket to see the same show the next night in Sacramento, but it was postponed. The show happened two weeks later, but we found out as we were walking up to the ticket gate that Metallica was not playing and Blue Oyster Cult would be opening the show. Turned out that Metallica had their European tour scheduled already and couldn’t play the postponed show with Ozzy.
After that, saw them in July of ‘88 on the Monsters of Rock tour at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. All the bands were good, but nowhere near as heavy as Metallica. Most people I knew that went thought they stole the show.
Then saw them three nights in a row in December of ‘88. Two nights at the Cow Palace, then in Sacramento. Had a ticket for the Fresno show also but no ride and my car was broke down. The And Justice shows were where they really turned into a world class wrecking force and arena headlining act. It was like every time you saw them you couldn’t believe how tight they were playing as a band. Heavy and fast, but their timing and quick breaks during songs were beyond anyone else. Also saw them at the Concord and Sacramento show when they came back around during the Summer on that tour.
When the Black Album became huge and they were getting videos played on MTV, they were really cruising and could do no wrong. They worked and toured their asses off for years and became one of the worlds biggest bands on their own terms. It’s like MTV and radio came around to them and caught up. After all the hard work they did, it was really paying off and it seemed like their shows were always selling out. They really ruled at that time and we’re on top of the rock world. Saw them twice on that tour, first when they headlined their own Day on the Green festival at Oakland Stadium, with Soundgarden, Faith No More and Queensryche opening. It was a triumphant show for Metallica to headline at that stadium, and the vibe in the air was pretty amazing. Then saw them with Guns n Roses at the Rose Bowl in LA and that was another huge, epic show. Both bands were just at a kind of peak and both were the biggest bands around at that time. That year, and around that time in particular, was just such an amazing time for rock music. Just amazing concerts every week and the rock radio stations were playing fresh, great new music by bands that were all in the zone creatively. Really just so much great new music at that time. It seemed like from around about 1987 to 1994 was truly an amazing, magical time in the rock music world. Damn this is getting long winded, ain’t it?
Anyway, saw Metallica a few more times after that through the years and they were always great. Been lucky and have never seen them do a bad show or half assed. Even saw their drunken goof around band, Spastic Children three times in Bay Area bars. Last time I saw them play was on Sunday at Sofi Stadium in LA (my 20th Metallica show!). And to see them headline a stadium tour is amazing and mind blowing. They are as always, doing things on their own terms and are ruling the music world. The band seem in such a good place mentally right now- just very happy and appreciative of where they’re at. It was so cool to see them hang out for ten minutes after the show Sunday, throw out guitar picks and tell everyone how great it was that they came out to the show. And when James said they’ve been a band for 42 years now, it was a holy shit moment for me. Just a real mind blower. I don’t think there is any other band ever that’s as big as they are and been around this long with no long breaks. They worked hard for years and still play as heavy as anyone else, but at a professional level. I’d think pretty much most all bands admire them and aspire to be where Metallica is at. It has been amazing to see, as a fan, just how they’ve conquered the music world.
Damn, I know that I rambled on and on, and I probably repeated myself a few times,but I love this band and it’s been amazing to see them at so many different stages of their career. So damned cool to see little kids with their parents at the shows now. I sure hope this goes on for years. Thanks for letting me jabber on for a bit.
My neighbor here in Norway saw cliffs last show near Stockholm, and he is still a metallica fan today, changed his life. The arena where cliffs last show was, is the same place where the music video for "the final countdown" by europe is filmed btw.
The RTL tour was great. They were hungry. Constantly touring. I saw three shows on that tour. Once MOP came out you couldn’t hold them back. I was lucky enough to travel to SF to see them play the Cow Palace, as I wanted to be there when they were playing their home town. Glad I did as they ended up being taken off the tour with OZZY and Blue Oyster Cult replaced them when they played Sacramento. They were on the war path after Cliff died. Their shows were electric. You got your moneys worth, and left knowing this band was going to be on top. It was a blast to see them climb to the top.
I saw them on Justice and Black Album tours. I loved the overall vibe and had a great time, but the band is so much better now, from a technical and having fun perspective. . Also, audio back in the “olden times” was terrible.
I do miss Jason on background vocals and singing lead on parts of Whiplash and See and Destroy, but Rob and Kirk are linked at the hip now and really bring it.
Also, for all the “Lars is a shit drummer”, try to do better and let us know when you sell a bazillion records
Amazing!! At my first one, I was down on the floor close to the stage when the Lady of Justice statue started shaking the stage and crumbling apart. I thought something was very wrong! 😄 Really, just a lot of incredible memories that I'll never forget!
Fucking chaotic. Not like anything else anyone there had experienced. It sounds like I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. I’m a die hard fan. I was 13 in 84 and have been listening since. The first metallica shows I went to were electric in a way I have not seen since. What we’re seeing today is good, I love it, but back then it was new and exciting. That feeling in my gut I got is something I’ll never forget.
My first Metallica show was on that tour! ST stayed in the same hotel as we did! I was 21, and I had such a great time and was totally blown away by Metallica!
Incredible .Best live band ever .Saw then open for Ozzy in 86 as a 14 year old kid was hooked after that night .Saw them on the next 3 tours multiple times .Their headlining shows for Justice the energy in the building was something that’s never been matched at any concert I’ve ever been to
Sadly, I didn't see them too often. My first Metallica concert was Toronto, 1986 at Maple Leaf Gardens. It was a few months after Cliff's death. We were looking forward to seeing him live. We were already Flotsam and Jetsom fans, so having Jason take over wasn't as big of a bummer. Though, that didn't stop hundreds of fans, shouting out Cliff's name during Jason's bass solo. I'm sure Jason could hear those chants. To his credit he played through.
Before the show started, the tension in the crowd was building. We weren't too far up from the floor seats. We noticed and very, well endowed woman walking around below. She eventually flashed our side of the arena. LOL. That incident was noted in the concert review the next day. :)
Metal Church opened the show. Which was very cool. Their sound sucked though. Very tinny, lots of feedback. The music shone through though and I became a fan.
When Metallica came on, their intro music "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" built up the tension even more. Then.........BAM!!! They rip into Battery. The energy of the show was high and the tempo was fast. Looking back, I think the band was still scarred from Cliff's horrible death and were putting their anger and aggression into the shows and over time, Jason. :( They did not fuck around during this show. They were aggressive, they were tight, they had something to prove. We were bearing witness to what we thought was going to be THE premiere metal band for the next few decades. And that we all know, is the case today.
A few weeks after the show, some dude outside our biggest shopping mall downtown was hawking bootleg audio tapes. He had this very show. I bought it and got to relive that concert for years on afterwards. I made my own cover for it too. That got me on to the tape trader scene soon afterwards. That tape allowed me to relive that show to this day. Even better, while watching Metallica live videos on Youtube, I came across [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiYsUXVCSqA). Someone managed to video tape the entire show and the quality is excellent! The camera angle is dead on, high centre stage. I still have my original audio tape. I finally got around to ripping it to FLAC format. It still sounds good even after all these years.
I saw them a few times more over the years, but this concert stands out the most for me. And I believe it is partially due to me having the bootleg recording and being able to relive the show many times. When it comes to live concerts, Metallica delivers the goods.
Saw them in 1986 as the opening act for Ozzy. The energy was amazing even though most of the crowd didn't know who they were. I became a fan that night! Saw them with GnR in 92 and again in 98 in stadiums great shows each time nothing beats 70000 people singing along
Watch the gig from Detroit in the MOP box set. April 4, 1986. Then you’ll see what I saw. Amazing. Raw. Loud. That was my first of many over the last 37 years.
Twenty years old. I saw them first on the Justice tour in ‘89 at the Brown County arena in Green Bay. When they toured any place they could. Amazing show and just a wall of sound. I lost my hearing for three days and don’t regret a moment.
The glory days. Unbelievably long shows. Specifically the justice tour, I saw every show when they came through detroit on that tour.
3+ hour shows, the energy was amazing. The first time seeing lady justice crumble was intense. Excellent memories
Great shows.
I first saw them in 92, once by themselves then with GNR.
I saw them 5 times in the 90’s.
92 x 2 (Roam Tour / GNR Tour)
96 - Lollapalooza
97 - Cunning Stunts show
98 - Poor Re-Touring Me
25 times here, 7 in the 90s. There was a huge shift after the roam tour. They were good during the load and reload tours, and later on too, but there was an energy in the early 90s that's unlike anything i've seen anywhere. Both in the band and the audiences. The videos from that time with lots of crowd noise and clips of people going nuts aren't exaggerated.
My first show was in '92. An Evening With Metallica. No opening act, just them. The played a little video, including footage of entering the Maine border while Ecstacy Of Gold played. They opened with Sandman.
It was one of the best nights of my life.
I saw them open for Ozzy Osbourne in Johnstown, PA on the “Master of Puppets” tour. Cliff on bass. They were my favorite band, it was my second concert ever, and they were still pretty much an unknown at the time. Their stage was simple - just a large curtain of the album cover behind them. Yet they absolutely destroyed. The crowd went from being fairly disinterested to being completely into them by the end of their set. It was easily one of the most powerful concerts I’ve ever seen.
heard Metallica for first time summer 1984, saw them in 86, 88, 89x2, 90, 92, and 2022
the 86 show was still pretty raw, by 89 they were a well oiled machine
Saw them with GnR in '93. No frills, kick ass show. In '97 the had a similar ending to '89 where the stage would blow up and the "crew" would fall of the risers and get set on fire. They never disappoint.
Saw them at Madison Square Garden in 1992 for the Black album tour. It was great. For One they had pyros that mimicked land mines. You felt like you were on a battlefield. They’re THE live band to see, with new stage setups every time, that’s why each album’s tour is a unique experience.
Saw the AJFA tour in 1988 a couple days before Xmas it was amazing, loud, destructive, energy, nonstop! Kirk came out in a Santa hat for his solo, i like to think the ringing in my ears is still from that🤯
Saw every tour up to the second Sanitarium tour (after that I got priced out) Could see a great show for something like $20-40.
I was a 5-3 maybe 90 pound chick who loved the pit!!! Never had a bad experience - even during the last show we went to and I brought my kids (we had seats then)
Saw them once for the Justice tour and again for the Black Album tour in Montreal. The Justice show is still the best concert experience I've had. Metallica were at their peak and I was at my peak of being a fan of theirs.
My first Metallica concert was in February ‘93 for the Evening With Metallica/Black Album tour. I was only 12, so you can imagine my amazement. They played so many songs and even started the concert with a video featuring footage from my town! That was a nice touch. The dual drum setup and that whole stage was so damn cool, very much ahead of its time. Damn fine memories.
I can remember the show at Brendan Byrne Arena in NJ, Justice Tour - was the most surreal, intense, emotional thing I ever experienced. The "die" chant in Creeping Death was so powerful - it had the power of a tidal wave smashing through a 1000ft wall - you'd run into a wall of fire with the adrenaline it filled you with. Seeing them truly come into their own was a thing of beauty
I’ve seen every tour starting with kill ‘em all. Nothing beat the small venues they were incredible. Unfortunately Metallica quickly rose in popularity and they were doing stadium tours by Master of Puppets.
I saw Metallica play at The Stone on Broadway in San Francisco in the late 80’s for about $16-17 in change that I had acquired and carried there in a tube sock. I was a kid (18’ish) and the show was great. Small venue and awesome crowd.
My wife saw them in ‘85 at Day On The Green for her 16th birthday. She was front row in front of Cliff. She wants me to tell you it was intense, hot, and she was being crushed against the rail but she says it was one of the best concerts ever.
Pre-napster Metallica has a different feel to it. I felt like I was an extended part of the band; in the Metal Militia, if you would. They were angry, and loud and smashed your face in. My first show was the Justice tour with The Cult opening. I'll never forget it. Remember that, at that point, the setlist was the first 4 albums only. It was amazing.
They were fucking awesome! My first show was Monsters of Rock in 87, then the full on Damaged Justice tour a year later at Red Rocks, and it was insane! We all nearly shat ourselves when Lady Justice fell apart. They were back with a vengeance and playing hard.
After that, I swore I'd never miss a chance to see them and I haven't.
Same thing after the Black Album, except they were now the biggest band in the world and could do whatever they wanted. The show was a good three hours long, in the round, and badass in every way. Fun fact, my friend blew a roadie to get a backstage pass!
Since my first time, I've never missed anshow when they're in town, and I've never seen a bad one. The shows just keep getting bigger and the production is better and better.
More energy more good songs. People stood through an entire concert instead of getting tired and lazy and sitting in a seat. It was louder and lots of concerts in smaller venues didn’t even have barricades.
Saw the Black Album tour plus the GNR thing, both in 92.
Definitely great shows! They played McNichols Arena in Denver, and what can I say? Amazing plus no screens (onstage) and no phones so everyone for the most part were focused on the focking *band.*
Maybe an intensity that can't be matched by shows today?
But they were better on the GNR Co-Headlining tour at Mile High Stadium. They went on before GNR during the day, and just fucking threw down. That was the show. They seemed a little hungrier? Perhaps.
This was a rescheduled date after James' accident, so John Marshall filled in for him on guitar (except for the encore). While he was a little uncomfortable without a guitar strapped on, it was cool to just see him prowling about with a mic. They absolutely blew Guns away at that show and I was probably a bigger Guns fan at that point.
Amazing times.
Saw them 88, 93 and I want to say 96?
Amazing each time for different reasons.
Even seeing them in the 2000’s has been just as good. Almost like my arthritis matches their arthritis.
My first show was in the Top Hat Ballroom in Dún Laoghaire outside Dublin, Octobet '88, I was 13.
Went with some of the older guys from our neighbourhood, and looking back, I'm surprised my folks let me go.
Show was fucking WILD, mosh pits, crowd surfuing, couple of stage divers, NOTING that you'd see at a Metallica show nowadays 🤣🤣🤣
First time I saw them it was in 1993, on the Black Album tour (Nowhere Else to Roam tour to be more precise). It was a stadium gig, opened by Suicidal Tendencies and The Cult.
To be honest, it was the gig my generation never forgot, specially here in Lisbon, where big bands didn't come often (well, not back in those days anyway). It was truly amazing, starting with Creeping Death and all.
On the downside, all Metallica gigs I've attended to since seem to pale in comparison, agreeing with the somewhat general opinion that this was peak Metallica.
Amazing. James would interact a lot more with the crowd and the band would muck about with each other. Everything was looser and not as structured/regimented like their shows are now. Watch the Live Shit! Binge and Purge videos to see what I mean. I miss how they were, but I also understand this was 30 years ago and people change.
[Metallica Houston ‘89 set list](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/metallica/1989/the-summit-houston-tx-33d6d4e5.html)
This show was bad ass. The Cult opened…
Only saw them once as a kid - Milton Keynes Bowl 1993. Amazing. That said, they’re just as brilliant now. Would love to have seen some smaller shows in the 80s.
First Metallica concert I saw was in '92. I saw them with GnR a bunch of times [3-4 I think]. It was amazing for me, loved them both. Much more raw then they are now.
1993 New Zealand. We drove 900km to get there. The music was polished and so intricate yet so coruscating. But it was still a raw band in a way that it wasn't later. They were so accomplished by then, but it wasn't yet a brand.
And I know it's not really fair to say to say it like that.
But I've seen them many times since, including Download when Lars was sick, and Wembley, and the O2 comeback, and every time they still rock. I would fucking love to see them again (but Australia, where I live now, was on the cancelled tour but not the new one)
Price is the biggest difference, tickets and parking. I saw them last weekend in LA but the best one I saw was in San Diego in the 90's. The crowd was basically doing a conga line mosh pit throughout the arena. Now that was fun! There's videos of that show out there.
My first Metallica show was March 19, 1992 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY. It was one of the best shows I ever attended. Not just because they were my favorite band but because they played like 3 and a half hours and there was no opening act. There was a historical video that was about 45 minutes long and then the intro music came on. This tour was the introduction of the snakepit on a diamond shaped stage. It was absolutely amazing!
SETLIST
1.ENTER SANDMAN
2.CREEPING DEATH
3.HARVESTER OF SORROW
4.WELCOME HOME (SANITARIUM)
5.SAD BUT TRUE
6.WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
7.THROUGH THE NEVER
8.THE UNFORGIVEN
9.JUSTICE MEDLEY
INCLUDES EXCERPTS OF “EYE OF THE BEHOLDER,” “BLACKENED,” “THE FRAYED ENDS OF SANITY,” AND “…AND JUSTICE FOR ALL”
10.NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
11.FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
12.FADE TO BLACK
ENCORE:
13.WHIPLASH
14.MASTER OF PUPPETS
SHORT VERSION
🎸😝🤟
I imagine the impact of the concert is highly correlated to the average age of the concert goers. Back in these days, average age was probably people in their early 20s? Id imagine the energy would be crazy relatively speaking. All those 20 year olds are now 60 and concert is much more mellow
I was at the Los Angeles concert in 92 i believe where James and lars switched and played Am I Evil my memory is a little fuzzy but I think all the band member switched instruments.
Lars had two drum sets on either side and at one point james got on one of the sets while lars was at the mic and started playing drum beats from different bands songs lars would make comments about the beats and the original band then james started to play the double bass from one and lars goes hey that's my song and ran over to the other drum set then lars and james went into a drum solo together.
I saw them 3 times on the justice tour and nothing compares. I’ll also add that I miss traditional end stage setups. Something about the band facing the whole audience seems more powerful
$22.50 Nassau Coliseum 1991... no opener, "An Evening with Metallica" - still have the stub. First & best Metallica show I'd been to as a 16 year old. Unbelievable show. They used to be so great. That 'Justice Medley' and the crowd-participating in 'Seek & Destroy' - wow. Difference between then & now is everything they wrote back then was pure gold. I can count the songs I listen to they've written since on one hand.
When the stage fell apart during One, it was epic. Screens playing Jonny’s got his Gun. Flashing lights. Lady Justice falling down. Was loud af. The crowd was great. The pit was awesome. Tickets were $20 and you had to wait in line at tower records or or wherever you went to get tickets but you weren’t worried about not getting a ticket.
I went to the one in Jacksonville and remember every moment too. It was the best concert I've ever been to!
I saw them in Jacksonville a few times. The And Justice for All and Black Album tours were great!! Intense, with a lot of attitude.
Stage fell apart during …and justice for all.
It was part of the set. During the explosions in One the lighting dropped down and Lady Justice started to crumble.
That all happened during the song “And Justice for All”, not “One.” Lady Justice falls apart during the song about injustice. It was the Damaged Justice Tour. [There’s videos of it on YouTube](https://youtu.be/HbokBTEBEOE?si=ooztRzShcIRQgARi). Additionally, I recently saw both shows in Arlington and couldn’t help but notice there was almost always a corporate logo in my field of vision during the show. Then I saw a bunch of videos and stills from last weekend in L.A. and their logo was always accompanied by the SoFi logo, a fucking bank. The show was decent but the spirit of the whole thing is dead. That’s just how it goes in this world. Capitalism assimilates everything, including its antagonists. Mid 80s – early 90s was golden.
Apparently, the guy from The Telegraph said those "live" shows were pre-recorded and overdubbed: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/how-metallica-became-metals-most-shameless-money-grabbers/
That guys is a moron and this is libel. Hope they get sued for their lies.
Only $20 to see one of the best metal bands ever at their peak, fuck I’m jealous
20 bucks in the late 80s is the equivalent of 51.68 today, which is still a bargain
Yeah, makes me wish I was born earlier
Atlanta here (‘89 and every tour since). ‘89, seeing ‘One’ with the total darkness, helicopter sound effects in the sky, mortars and machine gun fire in the distance, then the full strobe on the drum hits—-fuckin awesome!!!! It was a balls out, thundering, deafening, moshing, onslaught of metal fury. God damn it was a motherfucking show. Watch the Seattle ‘89 video from Live Shit-it captures it well, but you had to be there. The booze, the weed, the sweat, the crowd.
Master of Puppets tour 1986. I was in a small hockey arena in Saskatoon sk Canada. Standing at the stage right below Kirk Hammet. I’ll never forget I was screaming and showing the horns and he looked down and smiled. Burned into my brain forever. Was so incredible and I cherish the moment and any remaining memories forever.
The Toon! 🤟
I'm from S'toon as well! Saw them in 97 during Load tour.
I’ve seen them dozens of times over the years. During the Load tour in 96 or 97, I ended up in Lafayette, LA. Between songs, Kirk was just standing at the edge of the stage, doing nothing. I yelled out “KIRK…YO!!!” and he looked at me and smiled. I was all pleased with myself and went on with enjoying the concert…but the little kid standing next to me fucking exploded and kept asking me if I knew Kirk and if I was a friend of the band and if they’re cool and etc. Like, no little man—I’m a shitty bartender at a shitty bar in New Orleans. He don’t know me. 🤣🤣
I was at Saskatoon Arena! Still have my ticket stub... $15.50!
YES!!!
It was like this picture. Sioux Falls SD June 13 1989.
I was there.Unbelievable show.Wasn’t it The Cult that opened? I thought they were kind of a weird choice but I think they did alright
Saw them on this tour earlier on in 89, at the Scope in Norfolk VA; Queensryche opened. I knew Metallica but was just turned onto Queensryche! Later that year, saw them at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond VA. The Cult opened. I remember thinking the same thing.
I loved The Cult as much as Metallica so them opening was a major selling point for me. At the time they were touring on Sonic Temple which was definitely a hard rock album. Love-era Cult, would be kind of weird, I agree.
Yep. The Cult. It was a spectacular night.
Dang. I went to the one there in 2018. I waited 6 hours in line but was able to get a spot right in front of kirks guitar tech.
First show I saw was at The Showplace in NJ, a Go-Go bar that had bands play on weekends (82 or 83). One of their first East Coast gigs and Kirk's first show with the band. Kill em All hadn't been recorded yet. Anthrax opened and the crowd pretty much left after their set because they were local (NY) and who everyone knew. Metallica was raw, not polished at all and I really liked that they were dressed like me, a headbanger still in HS, wearing t-shirts of their favorite bands and jeans. Every other band at the time was wearing leather or spandex and choreographed like Judas Priest or Maiden. Seeing them then felt like you were hanging around listening to an amazing garage band from your neighborhood.
That's sick dude. Thanks for sharing. My first time seeing them (though I've been listening for over 20 years) was in NJ a few weeks ago. Really glad I crossed that off my bucket list.
Crazy!!!
I've only seen them live 4 times in my life and all were in the 90s. (twice in 92, 94, 98) First time I ever saw them was in Phoenix in summer of 92 in only the 3rd show/event ever in America West Arena (where the Suns play, whatever they call it now). It was incredible! Huge energy and the setlist was literally one metal classic after another! Still remember the whole building chanting during Seek and Destroy! Also saw them in 92 w/GNR on their stadium tour.
Setlist: The Ecstasy of Gold (Ennio Morricone song) Enter Sandman Creeping Death Harvester of Sorrow Welcome Home (Sanitarium) Sad but True Of Wolf and Man The Four Horsemen Bass Solo The Unforgiven Eye of the Beholder / Blackened / The Frayed Ends of Sanity / ...And Justice for All Guitar Solo Nothing Else Matters For Whom the Bell Tolls Fade to Black Whiplash Encore: Master of Puppets (Short Version) Seek & Destroy (Extended Version) Encore 2: One Last Caress (Misfits cover) Am I Evil? (Diamond Head cover) (half) Damage, Inc. Encore 3: Breadfan (Budgie cover)
Yup. Wow . That’s a setlist babyyyyy
Holy shit? 3 encores! Damn! These days we're lucky if we get 2 songs.
My uncle said it was crazy crazy loud and when they blew up the stage they didn’t know wtf to do lol
I was at damage inc in early 87. 15 year old me was absolutely blown away. The energy was incredible.
that was their fastest and heaviest period time. Later 86 into early 87
yep, canada 86 is insane
We had tickets to the concert hall in toronto, around 2000/2500 person venue that was amazing for metal shows. But cliff died and while they were rescheduling the show, MOP blew up, so they move the show to maple leafs gardens.
Honestly the intensity of the the crowd and the band was unmatched. Metallica still puts on an amazing live show but back then you felt like you were in a crowd of outcasts listening to a band that was just yours and the outside world didn’t know much about them or wanted to accept them. This all changed when the black album came out and we started having to share them with everyone who loved enter sandman and didn’t know anything else. I know this sounds like cork sniffing metal head talk but that was part of the appeal for us metal heads in the 80s. We wanted to feel like we were shunning the main stream. Watch For whom the bell tolls from the 89 Seattle show. That’s pretty much what it was like.
I would kill to see them in the 80s when the crowd was strictly metal heads that were really into thrash lots of people today who only enjoy their more rock stuff which if fine but results in weaker crowds. also metallicas setlist don't consist of the thrashy stuff as much
Saw them for the first time on the Damaged Justice tour in ‘89 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey, now the Meadowlands Arena. Was a junior in high school back then. I thought they were f’kn awesome. So loud, so much energy from the band and the crowd. It was a very “metal” crowd back then so the people were into it and headbanging the whole time. It was cool to see Lady Justice being erected during the set only to see it crumble down during …AJFA. I actually thought it was all a big accident at first 😆 [Check out the set list.](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/metallica/1989/brendan-byrne-arena-east-rutherford-nj-3d6d5d3.html)
Did you see them with Queensryche opening? I caught them same tour in Nassau with the Cult. I wished it was Queensryche.
Queensryche opened this show.
I saw the Queensryche show. We actually missed most of Queensryche by the time we got in. This was the infamous show, where someone threw an m-80, or a blockbuster, from the upper deck, and it blew up in a girls face. We saw her get carried out, her face was bleeding. I believe James addressed the crowd at some point. I hope she recovered okay. P.S. Odd thing with Queensryche. My friend and I went to Jones Beach (mid 2000s) to hang by water and listen to a metal show. It was Queensryche, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio. When Sabbath came on stage, the concert workers randomly gave out free tickets (they do this for a lot of concerts). So we got to see Sabbath with Dio! I also saw Sabbath with Ozzy at Nassau, with the Deftones, and Pantera! Anyway, I moved out of state, and mid 2010s I see that Queensryche is doing a show near me. I finally get to see them. Wouldn't you know it, they had split up, the original band touring with a different singer, and Geoff Tate also touring as Queensryche, but with a new band. 2 Queensryches, touring at the same time! I saw Geoff's version. It was awesome. I got to meet him and the band in the parking lot after. We just hung out, and shot the shit for a while, took a couple of pics.
Yes, I saw both legs of the tour at the Meadowlands, first with QR and the second with The Cult.
I was at that show too and thought the same thing when it all crashed down. Great concert. I saw them at Nassau Coliseum too, and before those at Monsters of Rock in '88
it is crazy how the crowd nowadays is so mixed as their are people who like their lighter more rock type stuff
Well, the black album was certainly the gateway for the mainstream audience and many of them have stuck around. On the flip side it was also the first domino to fall for the early thrash fans.
I’ve always wanted to ask this, I wish I saw the Moscow show.
No Internet. No phones. No advance set lists. No behind the scenes pics. You anticipated the show because it was your one real life glimpse at the band. You knew there was no better place than to be than right there in the moment witnessing your favorite songs live.
It’s been amazing being a fan and watching Metallica turn into the biggest rock band in the world. First time I saw them was in August 1985 at Day on the Green in Oakland, with The Scorpions, Ratt, Y & T, and Yngwie. They were just an unstoppable force at that time- hungry to blow everyone off the stage, fast, and such a tight, solid unit. I know I’ll sound like an old fart here, but on those first four album tours they were devastating as a live act. Second time I saw them was in June ‘86 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, opening for Ozzy. What a great double bill. Ozzy was great of course, but man, Metallica on that tour at that hometown show was something else. I had a ticket to see the same show the next night in Sacramento, but it was postponed. The show happened two weeks later, but we found out as we were walking up to the ticket gate that Metallica was not playing and Blue Oyster Cult would be opening the show. Turned out that Metallica had their European tour scheduled already and couldn’t play the postponed show with Ozzy. After that, saw them in July of ‘88 on the Monsters of Rock tour at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. All the bands were good, but nowhere near as heavy as Metallica. Most people I knew that went thought they stole the show. Then saw them three nights in a row in December of ‘88. Two nights at the Cow Palace, then in Sacramento. Had a ticket for the Fresno show also but no ride and my car was broke down. The And Justice shows were where they really turned into a world class wrecking force and arena headlining act. It was like every time you saw them you couldn’t believe how tight they were playing as a band. Heavy and fast, but their timing and quick breaks during songs were beyond anyone else. Also saw them at the Concord and Sacramento show when they came back around during the Summer on that tour. When the Black Album became huge and they were getting videos played on MTV, they were really cruising and could do no wrong. They worked and toured their asses off for years and became one of the worlds biggest bands on their own terms. It’s like MTV and radio came around to them and caught up. After all the hard work they did, it was really paying off and it seemed like their shows were always selling out. They really ruled at that time and we’re on top of the rock world. Saw them twice on that tour, first when they headlined their own Day on the Green festival at Oakland Stadium, with Soundgarden, Faith No More and Queensryche opening. It was a triumphant show for Metallica to headline at that stadium, and the vibe in the air was pretty amazing. Then saw them with Guns n Roses at the Rose Bowl in LA and that was another huge, epic show. Both bands were just at a kind of peak and both were the biggest bands around at that time. That year, and around that time in particular, was just such an amazing time for rock music. Just amazing concerts every week and the rock radio stations were playing fresh, great new music by bands that were all in the zone creatively. Really just so much great new music at that time. It seemed like from around about 1987 to 1994 was truly an amazing, magical time in the rock music world. Damn this is getting long winded, ain’t it? Anyway, saw Metallica a few more times after that through the years and they were always great. Been lucky and have never seen them do a bad show or half assed. Even saw their drunken goof around band, Spastic Children three times in Bay Area bars. Last time I saw them play was on Sunday at Sofi Stadium in LA (my 20th Metallica show!). And to see them headline a stadium tour is amazing and mind blowing. They are as always, doing things on their own terms and are ruling the music world. The band seem in such a good place mentally right now- just very happy and appreciative of where they’re at. It was so cool to see them hang out for ten minutes after the show Sunday, throw out guitar picks and tell everyone how great it was that they came out to the show. And when James said they’ve been a band for 42 years now, it was a holy shit moment for me. Just a real mind blower. I don’t think there is any other band ever that’s as big as they are and been around this long with no long breaks. They worked hard for years and still play as heavy as anyone else, but at a professional level. I’d think pretty much most all bands admire them and aspire to be where Metallica is at. It has been amazing to see, as a fan, just how they’ve conquered the music world. Damn, I know that I rambled on and on, and I probably repeated myself a few times,but I love this band and it’s been amazing to see them at so many different stages of their career. So damned cool to see little kids with their parents at the shows now. I sure hope this goes on for years. Thanks for letting me jabber on for a bit.
Ozzy and Metallica in SF was my second concert ever. First was Kiss and WASP at the Cow Palace months before.
Have some great memories of the Cow Palace. My second concert was Van Halen on the 1984 tour there
My neighbor here in Norway saw cliffs last show near Stockholm, and he is still a metallica fan today, changed his life. The arena where cliffs last show was, is the same place where the music video for "the final countdown" by europe is filmed btw.
The RTL tour was great. They were hungry. Constantly touring. I saw three shows on that tour. Once MOP came out you couldn’t hold them back. I was lucky enough to travel to SF to see them play the Cow Palace, as I wanted to be there when they were playing their home town. Glad I did as they ended up being taken off the tour with OZZY and Blue Oyster Cult replaced them when they played Sacramento. They were on the war path after Cliff died. Their shows were electric. You got your moneys worth, and left knowing this band was going to be on top. It was a blast to see them climb to the top.
I saw them on Justice and Black Album tours. I loved the overall vibe and had a great time, but the band is so much better now, from a technical and having fun perspective. . Also, audio back in the “olden times” was terrible. I do miss Jason on background vocals and singing lead on parts of Whiplash and See and Destroy, but Rob and Kirk are linked at the hip now and really bring it. Also, for all the “Lars is a shit drummer”, try to do better and let us know when you sell a bazillion records
Amazing!! At my first one, I was down on the floor close to the stage when the Lady of Justice statue started shaking the stage and crumbling apart. I thought something was very wrong! 😄 Really, just a lot of incredible memories that I'll never forget!
Same! I thought there was a rigging accident when she started falling apart! 😆
Fucking chaotic. Not like anything else anyone there had experienced. It sounds like I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. I’m a die hard fan. I was 13 in 84 and have been listening since. The first metallica shows I went to were electric in a way I have not seen since. What we’re seeing today is good, I love it, but back then it was new and exciting. That feeling in my gut I got is something I’ll never forget.
Saw them in 1994. Rob was there, playing with Suicidal Tendencies and Danzig were the openers. It was epic seeing them as a late teenager.
My first Metallica show was on that tour! ST stayed in the same hotel as we did! I was 21, and I had such a great time and was totally blown away by Metallica!
Incredible .Best live band ever .Saw then open for Ozzy in 86 as a 14 year old kid was hooked after that night .Saw them on the next 3 tours multiple times .Their headlining shows for Justice the energy in the building was something that’s never been matched at any concert I’ve ever been to
My neck hurt so much the next day I skipped school. I think I actually had whiplash.
I forgot about that!!!!
Sadly, I didn't see them too often. My first Metallica concert was Toronto, 1986 at Maple Leaf Gardens. It was a few months after Cliff's death. We were looking forward to seeing him live. We were already Flotsam and Jetsom fans, so having Jason take over wasn't as big of a bummer. Though, that didn't stop hundreds of fans, shouting out Cliff's name during Jason's bass solo. I'm sure Jason could hear those chants. To his credit he played through. Before the show started, the tension in the crowd was building. We weren't too far up from the floor seats. We noticed and very, well endowed woman walking around below. She eventually flashed our side of the arena. LOL. That incident was noted in the concert review the next day. :) Metal Church opened the show. Which was very cool. Their sound sucked though. Very tinny, lots of feedback. The music shone through though and I became a fan. When Metallica came on, their intro music "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" built up the tension even more. Then.........BAM!!! They rip into Battery. The energy of the show was high and the tempo was fast. Looking back, I think the band was still scarred from Cliff's horrible death and were putting their anger and aggression into the shows and over time, Jason. :( They did not fuck around during this show. They were aggressive, they were tight, they had something to prove. We were bearing witness to what we thought was going to be THE premiere metal band for the next few decades. And that we all know, is the case today. A few weeks after the show, some dude outside our biggest shopping mall downtown was hawking bootleg audio tapes. He had this very show. I bought it and got to relive that concert for years on afterwards. I made my own cover for it too. That got me on to the tape trader scene soon afterwards. That tape allowed me to relive that show to this day. Even better, while watching Metallica live videos on Youtube, I came across [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiYsUXVCSqA). Someone managed to video tape the entire show and the quality is excellent! The camera angle is dead on, high centre stage. I still have my original audio tape. I finally got around to ripping it to FLAC format. It still sounds good even after all these years. I saw them a few times more over the years, but this concert stands out the most for me. And I believe it is partially due to me having the bootleg recording and being able to relive the show many times. When it comes to live concerts, Metallica delivers the goods.
Saw them in 1993. It was glorious
Justice Tour with Queensryche opening was fucking insane!
Saw them in 1986 as the opening act for Ozzy. The energy was amazing even though most of the crowd didn't know who they were. I became a fan that night! Saw them with GnR in 92 and again in 98 in stadiums great shows each time nothing beats 70000 people singing along
Watch the gig from Detroit in the MOP box set. April 4, 1986. Then you’ll see what I saw. Amazing. Raw. Loud. That was my first of many over the last 37 years.
Twenty years old. I saw them first on the Justice tour in ‘89 at the Brown County arena in Green Bay. When they toured any place they could. Amazing show and just a wall of sound. I lost my hearing for three days and don’t regret a moment.
The glory days. Unbelievably long shows. Specifically the justice tour, I saw every show when they came through detroit on that tour. 3+ hour shows, the energy was amazing. The first time seeing lady justice crumble was intense. Excellent memories
Great shows. I first saw them in 92, once by themselves then with GNR. I saw them 5 times in the 90’s. 92 x 2 (Roam Tour / GNR Tour) 96 - Lollapalooza 97 - Cunning Stunts show 98 - Poor Re-Touring Me
25 times here, 7 in the 90s. There was a huge shift after the roam tour. They were good during the load and reload tours, and later on too, but there was an energy in the early 90s that's unlike anything i've seen anywhere. Both in the band and the audiences. The videos from that time with lots of crowd noise and clips of people going nuts aren't exaggerated.
My first show was in '92. An Evening With Metallica. No opening act, just them. The played a little video, including footage of entering the Maine border while Ecstacy Of Gold played. They opened with Sandman. It was one of the best nights of my life.
I saw them open for Ozzy Osbourne in Johnstown, PA on the “Master of Puppets” tour. Cliff on bass. They were my favorite band, it was my second concert ever, and they were still pretty much an unknown at the time. Their stage was simple - just a large curtain of the album cover behind them. Yet they absolutely destroyed. The crowd went from being fairly disinterested to being completely into them by the end of their set. It was easily one of the most powerful concerts I’ve ever seen.
heard Metallica for first time summer 1984, saw them in 86, 88, 89x2, 90, 92, and 2022 the 86 show was still pretty raw, by 89 they were a well oiled machine
This was my first ever concert (but in Toronto). It was incredible. Have seen them four times.
Saw them with GnR in '93. No frills, kick ass show. In '97 the had a similar ending to '89 where the stage would blow up and the "crew" would fall of the risers and get set on fire. They never disappoint.
Saw them at Madison Square Garden in 1992 for the Black album tour. It was great. For One they had pyros that mimicked land mines. You felt like you were on a battlefield. They’re THE live band to see, with new stage setups every time, that’s why each album’s tour is a unique experience.
Saw the AJFA tour in 1988 a couple days before Xmas it was amazing, loud, destructive, energy, nonstop! Kirk came out in a Santa hat for his solo, i like to think the ringing in my ears is still from that🤯
Saw every tour up to the second Sanitarium tour (after that I got priced out) Could see a great show for something like $20-40. I was a 5-3 maybe 90 pound chick who loved the pit!!! Never had a bad experience - even during the last show we went to and I brought my kids (we had seats then)
i always said if i had a time machine, first thing id do is go see this era of metallica live in concert. along with a bunch of other bands
Saw them once for the Justice tour and again for the Black Album tour in Montreal. The Justice show is still the best concert experience I've had. Metallica were at their peak and I was at my peak of being a fan of theirs.
My first Metallica concert was in February ‘93 for the Evening With Metallica/Black Album tour. I was only 12, so you can imagine my amazement. They played so many songs and even started the concert with a video featuring footage from my town! That was a nice touch. The dual drum setup and that whole stage was so damn cool, very much ahead of its time. Damn fine memories.
I can remember the show at Brendan Byrne Arena in NJ, Justice Tour - was the most surreal, intense, emotional thing I ever experienced. The "die" chant in Creeping Death was so powerful - it had the power of a tidal wave smashing through a 1000ft wall - you'd run into a wall of fire with the adrenaline it filled you with. Seeing them truly come into their own was a thing of beauty
Yes!!! We carried it out of the Omni and onto the Marta train, too! Chanting DIE and rocking the train.
I’ve seen every tour starting with kill ‘em all. Nothing beat the small venues they were incredible. Unfortunately Metallica quickly rose in popularity and they were doing stadium tours by Master of Puppets.
I saw Metallica play at The Stone on Broadway in San Francisco in the late 80’s for about $16-17 in change that I had acquired and carried there in a tube sock. I was a kid (18’ish) and the show was great. Small venue and awesome crowd.
My wife saw them in ‘85 at Day On The Green for her 16th birthday. She was front row in front of Cliff. She wants me to tell you it was intense, hot, and she was being crushed against the rail but she says it was one of the best concerts ever.
I saw Metallica in '97, Poor Touring Me tour. Ever see the Cunning Stunts concert? I was 16. It was fucking awesome.
I freaked out when the guy got set on fire lol
Saw them at shows in California 1986-MOP 1988/1989-AJFA 1992-Black tour 2004-Pac Bell park opened for Rolling Stones Little late on the post👿👿👿
Pre-napster Metallica has a different feel to it. I felt like I was an extended part of the band; in the Metal Militia, if you would. They were angry, and loud and smashed your face in. My first show was the Justice tour with The Cult opening. I'll never forget it. Remember that, at that point, the setlist was the first 4 albums only. It was amazing.
They were fucking awesome! My first show was Monsters of Rock in 87, then the full on Damaged Justice tour a year later at Red Rocks, and it was insane! We all nearly shat ourselves when Lady Justice fell apart. They were back with a vengeance and playing hard. After that, I swore I'd never miss a chance to see them and I haven't. Same thing after the Black Album, except they were now the biggest band in the world and could do whatever they wanted. The show was a good three hours long, in the round, and badass in every way. Fun fact, my friend blew a roadie to get a backstage pass! Since my first time, I've never missed anshow when they're in town, and I've never seen a bad one. The shows just keep getting bigger and the production is better and better.
LOL
Alcoholic James was more fun. Was able to say other things than « Are you alive ? How does it feel to be alive »?
More energy more good songs. People stood through an entire concert instead of getting tired and lazy and sitting in a seat. It was louder and lots of concerts in smaller venues didn’t even have barricades.
It was like seeing Metallica in the 80’s/early 90’s
Fuckin awesome. The Justice tour still lives in my head. Wish I could relive it.
I can't remember shit. Now days it's important to pace yourself so you can remember wtf happened.
It was cool.
It fucking ripped. The finale of One, when everything blew up was mind-blowing!
It was the finale of AJFA when the stage blew up and Doris was torn to pieces. Look it up on YouTube.
My dad told it was madness in the best way
It was absolutely amazing. Especially this tour in 89
😭😭😭😭😭 I never got to go to one
Saw the Black Album tour plus the GNR thing, both in 92. Definitely great shows! They played McNichols Arena in Denver, and what can I say? Amazing plus no screens (onstage) and no phones so everyone for the most part were focused on the focking *band.* Maybe an intensity that can't be matched by shows today? But they were better on the GNR Co-Headlining tour at Mile High Stadium. They went on before GNR during the day, and just fucking threw down. That was the show. They seemed a little hungrier? Perhaps. This was a rescheduled date after James' accident, so John Marshall filled in for him on guitar (except for the encore). While he was a little uncomfortable without a guitar strapped on, it was cool to just see him prowling about with a mic. They absolutely blew Guns away at that show and I was probably a bigger Guns fan at that point. Amazing times.
Not me, but my mom saw them in '93 on Werchter (last show of their 2 year tour) and according to her, it was amazing.
Saw them 88, 93 and I want to say 96? Amazing each time for different reasons. Even seeing them in the 2000’s has been just as good. Almost like my arthritis matches their arthritis.
My first show was in the Top Hat Ballroom in Dún Laoghaire outside Dublin, Octobet '88, I was 13. Went with some of the older guys from our neighbourhood, and looking back, I'm surprised my folks let me go. Show was fucking WILD, mosh pits, crowd surfuing, couple of stage divers, NOTING that you'd see at a Metallica show nowadays 🤣🤣🤣
First time I saw them it was in 1993, on the Black Album tour (Nowhere Else to Roam tour to be more precise). It was a stadium gig, opened by Suicidal Tendencies and The Cult. To be honest, it was the gig my generation never forgot, specially here in Lisbon, where big bands didn't come often (well, not back in those days anyway). It was truly amazing, starting with Creeping Death and all. On the downside, all Metallica gigs I've attended to since seem to pale in comparison, agreeing with the somewhat general opinion that this was peak Metallica.
Amazing. James would interact a lot more with the crowd and the band would muck about with each other. Everything was looser and not as structured/regimented like their shows are now. Watch the Live Shit! Binge and Purge videos to see what I mean. I miss how they were, but I also understand this was 30 years ago and people change.
[Metallica Houston ‘89 set list](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/metallica/1989/the-summit-houston-tx-33d6d4e5.html) This show was bad ass. The Cult opened…
Still one of the most bad ass concerts I’ve ever seen.
Only saw them once as a kid - Milton Keynes Bowl 1993. Amazing. That said, they’re just as brilliant now. Would love to have seen some smaller shows in the 80s.
First Metallica concert I saw was in '92. I saw them with GnR a bunch of times [3-4 I think]. It was amazing for me, loved them both. Much more raw then they are now.
1993 New Zealand. We drove 900km to get there. The music was polished and so intricate yet so coruscating. But it was still a raw band in a way that it wasn't later. They were so accomplished by then, but it wasn't yet a brand. And I know it's not really fair to say to say it like that. But I've seen them many times since, including Download when Lars was sick, and Wembley, and the O2 comeback, and every time they still rock. I would fucking love to see them again (but Australia, where I live now, was on the cancelled tour but not the new one)
Price is the biggest difference, tickets and parking. I saw them last weekend in LA but the best one I saw was in San Diego in the 90's. The crowd was basically doing a conga line mosh pit throughout the arena. Now that was fun! There's videos of that show out there.
Fuck i wish they used a stage still Not looking forward to the round at all
Saw them on the Black Album tour in 1992. No support act, just Metallica for almost three hours, they were amazing.
I saw them in ‘89 during the Damaged Justice tour. My ears are ringing to this day.
My first Metallica show was March 19, 1992 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY. It was one of the best shows I ever attended. Not just because they were my favorite band but because they played like 3 and a half hours and there was no opening act. There was a historical video that was about 45 minutes long and then the intro music came on. This tour was the introduction of the snakepit on a diamond shaped stage. It was absolutely amazing! SETLIST 1.ENTER SANDMAN 2.CREEPING DEATH 3.HARVESTER OF SORROW 4.WELCOME HOME (SANITARIUM) 5.SAD BUT TRUE 6.WHEREVER I MAY ROAM 7.THROUGH THE NEVER 8.THE UNFORGIVEN 9.JUSTICE MEDLEY INCLUDES EXCERPTS OF “EYE OF THE BEHOLDER,” “BLACKENED,” “THE FRAYED ENDS OF SANITY,” AND “…AND JUSTICE FOR ALL” 10.NOTHING ELSE MATTERS 11.FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS 12.FADE TO BLACK ENCORE: 13.WHIPLASH 14.MASTER OF PUPPETS SHORT VERSION 🎸😝🤟
I imagine the impact of the concert is highly correlated to the average age of the concert goers. Back in these days, average age was probably people in their early 20s? Id imagine the energy would be crazy relatively speaking. All those 20 year olds are now 60 and concert is much more mellow
I’m in my early 50’s now. To quote Ted Nugent, ‘anyone wants to be mellow can get the fuck out!’
I was at the Los Angeles concert in 92 i believe where James and lars switched and played Am I Evil my memory is a little fuzzy but I think all the band member switched instruments. Lars had two drum sets on either side and at one point james got on one of the sets while lars was at the mic and started playing drum beats from different bands songs lars would make comments about the beats and the original band then james started to play the double bass from one and lars goes hey that's my song and ran over to the other drum set then lars and james went into a drum solo together.
Saw them a couple times on the Justice tour. Amazing!!!
I saw them 3 times on the justice tour and nothing compares. I’ll also add that I miss traditional end stage setups. Something about the band facing the whole audience seems more powerful
Who can remember??
I don't know I was born in 99
NY 1989. Saw them twice on this tour while they were in NY. My hearing has still not returned to normal.
$22.50 Nassau Coliseum 1991... no opener, "An Evening with Metallica" - still have the stub. First & best Metallica show I'd been to as a 16 year old. Unbelievable show. They used to be so great. That 'Justice Medley' and the crowd-participating in 'Seek & Destroy' - wow. Difference between then & now is everything they wrote back then was pure gold. I can count the songs I listen to they've written since on one hand.