Something has survived. Just when you think all of the dinosaurs of the metal era have been wiped out, we discover a lost world in Metallica's Load tour.
Metallica started the whole show off acknowledging critics and instantly saying So What.
So Metallica's cut off all their hair. So Metallica performed a Lollapalooza. So Metallica's gone and stolen Garth Brooks' stage. So what.
Above all else, you have to admire one thing. Metallica does a pretty good impression of a rock band who cares about their fans.
They enter the arena with all the lights on ensuring everyone can get a good look, and from there they make use of a stage which runs the length of the arena.
On top of all this, they are meticulously careful to mix the old material with the new.
The band, in fact, made use of two stages, one which resembled an electrical sub-station and the other a creation from War of the Worlds.
On this metal beast, the heavy-metal quartet pounded out their latest King Nothing and from there launched into their biggest, One.
The accompanying pyrotechnics gave the feel of a war zone like no A&E documentary could.
With inflation the $5.98 EP would probably cost $26 and your standard black concert shirt has cracked the $30 mark, but it's nice to see somethings still don't change.
Lars Ulrich still needs to find some clothes. Jason Newsted still looks a touch out of place, James Hetfield could scare little children with his metal face and Kirk Hammett steals the show.
Needless to say, openers Corrosion of Conformity did not steal the show. Burdened with the task of filling Metallica's large stage, Corrosion failed with flying colors.
Drawing almost exclusively upon Metallica's first three albums for inspiration, Corrosion won over few -- they have a long way to go in matching the talent of Metallica.
True, some purists and diehards may still scream through the purple haze for the halcyon days of Ride The Lightening, Kill `Em All, and... Justice For All, but I think for the most part Metallica fans can agree their current incarnation is the best.
