If Buffalo Bills management was looking for a way to streamline demolition of Highmark Stadium, it seems they were on the right track this week when Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard rolled into town and set the charge on Wednesday so that Metallica could come in and knock the house down Thursday night.
Fans filled the parking lots early and took their time moving toward the gates, keeping the tailgate going just a little longer while they listened to Metallica songs they hoped they would hear, at volumes that a mere car stereo could never reach. Once in the gate they jammed the concourse looking to get their latest tour T-shirt – including special Buffalo T-shirts made because this was only one of two U.S. stadium concerts this summer for Metallica – and a refreshment or two. Long lines deterred some from both.
The members of Metallica line the large stage at Highmark Stadium. From left are Robert Trujillo, Kirk Hammett, drummer Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield.
The stadium erupted when savvy fans knew that hearing “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll)" by AC/DC followed by “Ecstasy of Gold,” by Ennio Morricone, now popular as part of a Modelo ad campaign, meant the band would soon be emerging. (The music, long the traditional concert opening for Metallica, was played against scenes from the film it was written for, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," on the four giant screens at the rear of the stage.)
People are also reading…
The massive stage that stretched from nearly sideline to sideline had two walkways to a smaller stage in the midst of the crowd where the band opened the show by tearing into “Whiplash” from the "Kill ‘Em All" album. Although the crowd seemed slow to really get into the show, by the time the band had retreated to the more conventional setup at the back of the stage and moved on to "Enter Sandman” as its third song, hands were in the air and cellphone cameras were on record.
"You're probably thinking 'they played the good song, what's next?' " singer and guitarist James Hetfield said after playing what is arguably the band's biggest song. The answer was a fist-pumping rendition of "Ride the Lightning."
Drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist James Hetfield play off of each other during the Metallica concert at Highmark Stadium.
The stage setup showed that the band understands the sheer size of a stadium show. Giant crystal-clear video screens projected larger-than-life versions of each musician, images of disaster, animations and even the crowd as they sang along. Microphones were strategically placed at the front and sides of the stage so that Hetfield could direct his focus to every corner of the stadium. The additional runways at the front of the stage gave guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo plenty of room to run. Drummer Lars Ulrich's massive drum kit was at the back center stage, but a smaller one also appeared on the smaller stage to give him the chance to get closer to fans, too.
The two-hour set gave the diehard fans what they were begging for and skewed toward the band's early catalog with songs like “Sad but True” and “Fade to Black.” At one point before a performance of “Dirty Window,” off the 2003 release "St. Anger," Hetfield tried his best to convince the crowd that the album wasn’t so bad, and by the end of song he had made a convincing argument.
Frontman James Hetfield was a commanding presence during Metallica's two-hour concert at Highmark Stadium.
What is a Metallica concert without pyrotechnics, you ask? Well luckily the crowd did not have to find out as flames surged from the top of the stage and perimeter seats lighting up the entire venue during “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and "The Moth Into Flame."
If anyone thought that pyrotechnics were not enough spectacle for a Metallica show, they were not disappointed when fireworks also shot off during the encore that offered fan favorites “Blackened,” “One” and “Master of Puppets.”
Following the encore, the band stuck around on stage to revel in fans adulation and shower it right back on them. There may not have been any confetti at the end of the show, but the sheer number of guitar picks and drumsticks that the musicians tossed out to the eager fans showered down in a similar fashion. Each band member took a minute at the microphone to address the crowd in their own unique way. Ulrich noted it was the third time the band played that stadium and promised they would be back in a way that seemed to imply it might be soon.
The massive Metallica logo on the four screens at the back of the stage dwarfs Lars Ulrich's drum kit.
Ice Nine Kills from Boston with local Patrick Galante behind the drum kit opened the show and brought their blend of metal, punk and hardcore to the stage, welcoming the masses to Horrorwood. Blazing through a quick 40-minute set, they gave the crowd a good look at what the future of the genre has to offer.
After a brief break, Greta Van Fleet stepped out to greet the slowly building crowd and served up its brand of progressive rock that bears a striking resemblance to Led Zeppelin. Lead singer Josh Kiszka’s gold-sequined jumpsuit caught the light as the sun began to drop in the sky. Whether it was that blinding sun or the sheer size of the stage, the band struggled a bit to be a commanding presence in a venue of this size. Luckily, as the sun settled behind the walls of the stadium and they transitioned into “Highway Tune,” they had won over crowd.
The band Greta Van Fleet with Josh Kiszka, left, and Danny Wagner, was one of the opening acts for Metallica at Highmark Stadium.
Metallica with Greta Van Fleet and Ice Nine Kills
Aug. 11 at Highmark Stadium
Photos: Metallica performs at Highmark Stadium
James Hetfield of Metallica performs at Highmark Stadium Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.
Kirk Hammett of Metallica shreds on the guitar.
Metallica band members, from left, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo of Metallica perform at Highmark Stadium.
A stage light hits Robert Trujillo of Metallica.
James Hetfield of Metallica sings at Highmark Stadium.
Thousands of concertgoers listen to Metallica as they perform at Highmark Stadium.
Kirk Hammett of Metallica whips his hair out of his face.
A fan representing the Buffalo Bills before the Metallica performance at Highmark Stadium.
Kirk Hammett of Metallica looks to the crowd at Highmark Stadium.
Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills performs as an opening act to Metallica at Highmark Stadium.
James Hetfield of Metallica sings while playing the guitar at Highmark Stadium.
James Hetfield of Metallica sings as the lights transition from blue to red at Highmark Stadium.
Concertgoers take their seats before the Metallica show at Highmark Stadium.
Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield of Metallica play off of each other at Highmark Stadium.
Concertgoers wave to friends.
James Hetfield of Metallica throws his fist toward the crowd.
James Hetfield of Metallica looks to the crowd at Highmark Stadium.
Fans wait for the Metallica performance at Highmark Stadium.
Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills moves closer to the fans as an opening act to Metallica at Highmark Stadium.
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett of Metallica.
James Hetfield of Metallica sings at Highmark Stadium.
Concertgoers chase each other before the Metallica performance at Highmark Stadium.
Greta Van Fleet opens for Metallica at Highmark Stadium.
Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills.
Concertgoers pose for a photo before the Metallica performance at Highmark Stadium.
The Metallica logo on the screens before their performance at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Kiszka, left, and Danny Wagner perform as part of opening act Greta Van Fleet.
"crowd" - Google News
August 12, 2022 at 10:15PM
https://ift.tt/3f2T6ba
Metallica fires up Highmark Stadium crowd with hits, trademark intensity - Buffalo News
"crowd" - Google News
https://ift.tt/8ONFvAw
https://ift.tt/Y5K1mkL
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Metallica fires up Highmark Stadium crowd with hits, trademark intensity - Buffalo News"
Post a Comment