While a team of lawyers and promoters try to piece together a Stones 50th and Pearl Jam celebrates 20 with a multi-media extravaganza, Metallica quietly(but not so quietly) celebrated 30 years with Friends and fan club members at 4 intimate(in Metallica terms) shows at The Fillmore in their hometown of San Francisco.
I remember the fist time I heard Metallica. I was in the car with my Father and WAAF played "For Whom The Bell Tolls". It was like the music grabbed my head Herman Cain style and pulled it against the radio. At that time I was just starting to compliment my diet of Scorpions and Judas Priest with Punk stuff from the SST label as well as the local compilation "This Is Boston Not L.A.", so hearing a band mix both styles was revelatory. There were no rules. These guys are proving it right now! So fucking heavy with not a trace of cheese. My Dad's critique was stereotypical, "That's not even music!" I've been a fan ever since. And yes, I was skeptical of "The Black Album" at first and still believe the "Load" albums could've been one great album. But with every left turn and failed experiment I realized they were doing it to survive. They spent a decade trying not to sound like Metallica to make sure they were that band that help start a metal revolution.
Below are a few clips from the recent celebration with friends and former estranged family members:
I'd like to think Cliff Burton was looking down and smiling but he was probably giving everyone the finger while smoking a pinner.
