Upon releasing their self-titled fifth album in 1991, Metallica quickly became the biggest metal band on the planet. Some three-plus decades later, they arguably still are.
The San Francisco-based quartet recently released their 11th studio album 72 Seasons and hit the road to promote the new material. The tour finds them packing stadiums and playing multiple nights at each stop, with a “no repeat” promise for each date. This means that attendees who purchase tickets for two nights will not hear the same song played twice in their host city.
When the band touched down in the giant salad bowl that is Chicago’s Soldier Field for the first of two shows this weekend, they were greeted by a raucous ovation from multiple generations of disciples. Although new material including “72 Seasons” and “If Darkness Had a Son” was met with enthusiasm, it was obvious that the assembled wanted the classics. The band quickly acquiesced. “Blackened,” “Fuel,” and “Seek & Destroy” arrived in all their darkness and fury. “Master Of Puppets” was the epic evening ender that everyone craved.
The evening’s most stirring moment was “Fade To Black.” Performed using his famed “Greenie” Les Paul (acquired from the estate of esteemed blues guitarist Peter Green), guitarist Kirk Hammett let the instrument’s legendary tone fill every inch of the cavernous surroundings and made even the 400 level feel like a busted out juke joint.
“Bang the head that will not bang” has been a Metallica motto since early on in their career. Judging by the first of their two stadium appearances here in the city by the lake, there may not be too many craniums remaining un-banged.
Edited by Jeff Elbel.
