We are waiting for friends infront of the Lushniki stadium in Moscow. The people around us are pretty scary and everything else than normal average Russians. Heavy Metal fans from all over Russia came to see the legends of Metallica today. It has been a while since Metallica have last been in Russia. 1991 to be precise. Rumor is that something has happened on their last gig. Another rumor is that James Hetfield had some bad “hunting experience� in Siberia a few years later. None of it is true, says Robert Trujillo, their bass player. It’s all rumors. The question, why they didn’t come for such a long time still remains unanswered, though. But, the 60 000 fans are happy and forgive their idols. In return the band is grateful they all showed up. Metallica know very well, that they are nothing without their fans and that Russia has a big following. It’s one of the largest gigs we have played on this tour, they say. It’s also the final gig of this tour. After the show they’ll head back home. Exhausted from weeks of touring and many gigs like this. But there is no long rest. After a few days they’ll be back in the studio, working on their upcoming new album again.
The original name of the tour was “Sick of the studio tour 2007�, but the members of Metallica called it the family tour. They all had family members with them. Wives, children and others came along, were sightseeing in Moscow. That was also the mood in the dressing room and backstage. Calm, friendly, family like. No signs of groupies, drugs, alcohol or whatever you’d expect from a heavy metal band with their status. Instead of vodka and beers they had Red Bulls and Gatorades in the fridge. After all, most of the members are in the 40’s, which doesn’t mean they are lame, instead they are energetic and rock on stage. Metallica played a none-stop 2 ½ hour gig, kicking like they were 18 years old. Respect. I guess besides their families, Don is one of their energy sources. Don, Kirks cousin and the bands chiropractor, travels with Metallica since more than 25 years. He has seen over 200 hundred shows and he cares at them as they are his children. He makes sure, they eat the right food. They drink enough and he gives them acupuncture treatments and other therapies to keep the band fit for their gigs.
The crowd thanked Metallica in a loud roaring sound for each song. It’s amazing how much noise 60.000 people can make. It’s also amazing to be on stage and see an ocean of lighters when the band plays one of their ballads. I am not a big Heavy Metal fan and I have been on many shows in the past, but this time I have been impressed a lot. I have been impressed by the band, their very professional and always (very) friendly team. And I have been impressed by their fans, which looked mean, dark and angry outside the stadium, but once inside turned into an ocean of light and waving hands, being grateful and happy that their idols returned after such a long time and gave them this very long concert. In return Metallica played 3 long add-on sessions, before they finished up. They bowed respectfully to their crowd, promised to come back sooner next time (not in 16 years again), said Thank you and Spasibo for a (very long) last time and then rushed into their van to drive to the airport, where their jet was waiting. We gonna make a “runner�, Robert said to me just a few minutes before they left. Sorry I can’t stay longer and hang out. I would have loved to see more of Moscow. Well, come back then and come back soon. Your fans will be grateful.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica
Videos:
Sorry, the sound is aweful in most of the videos. I shot these with my digi-cam and it was just too loud for the thing.
Photos:
Curious how the 1991 concert has been? Watch this…