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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Metallica Did Happen

Posted by: Vaidya Oct 31 2011, 10:03 AM

Ok.
As you guys must have heard,Metallica were supposed to play their first gig on Indian soil in Delhi.But it had to be cancelled.

Contrary to all the media reports,none of the band's gear actually got destroyed.The organizers removed the band's gear before making the

announcement as they were expecting such a riot.The gear destroyed actually belonged to the organizers.The loss is estimated at $200,00.

Being an Indian, I find it utterly shameful that we are not able to conduct an event of such scale.They had planned a second gig at Bangalore.

This is where I come in.I had planned for the Bangalore gig 3 months in advance.It was the longest wait for me ever.But I kept dreaming the day would finally come.

So there I was at the venue waiting to get in.One security check after another.People tugging,pushing.People running from one checkpoint to the other like it were a 100m dash.My god.

Finally,I made it to the arena.15 bloody meters from the stage.Brilliant view.Right at the center.I couldn't believe it.

Finally,one of the organizers came up on stage.He asked the crowd to spread out as everybody crammed towards the stage.People were asked to move.Nobody budged.The guy tried and tried but to no avail.He tried explaining that the show could not start until safety was ensured.Still no response.This went on for an hour and a half.The guy gave an ultimatum.If the crowd did not spread out,METALLICA will NOT play.People started moving.Safety was established

Then it began.2 local bands took the stage.The opening act,Biffy Clyro was up next.The audience were very skeptical and yelled insults.
Clyro took the stage.They started.They stunned us all.High energy songs with great stage presence.The crowd was roaring in support.
It started raining,but that didn't stop the band from playing.It only made things more awesome
Nothing beats a rock show in the rain.

They wound up after an hour.They had gained 20,000 fans that hour

The moment we had all been waiting for,Metallica live in India for the first time.We had the fortune of being at their first Indian gig since the first one was cancelled.We were a part of history

After an hour of waiting,the crowd began to get restless.Suddenly Trujillo pops out from the side.The crowd roars.Lars comes bursting out from a concealed entrance.Hetfield appears out of nowhere.Kirk comes running in from higher grounds.The audience go WILD.People cheering continuously without a break for the next 15 minutes.It was insane.

And they blasted off with Creeping Death.Never have I heard any audience at any event cheer so loud.The set included set included For Whom the Bell Tolls, Fuel, Ride the Lightning, Fade to Black, Cyanide, The Memory Remains, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), Sad But True, All Nightmare Long, One, Master of Puppets, Blackened, Nothing Else Matters, Enter Sandman, Am I Evil?, Battery and Seek & Destroy

It was the biggest day of my life.One I will never forget.It is also the first major gig i've been to so that makes it even more special.

Regarding the performance,it is Metallica.You expect them to be awesome and they are.But the only disappointment for me was Kirk.
He was pretty sloppy with his solos.But thats it.Hetfield was legendary.Man,that guy is amazing.And Lars,it was hard to comprehend how he managed to actually survive till the end of the show.He gave his fullest for every song and you could see the energy and power in his expressions.And Rob,he is a monster.He made it look like he was born with a bass in his hand!

I'm still at a loss of words to describe the entire evening.But one thing is certain,it clearly showed me where I want to be in the future.
It was the day that finally came

Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Oct 31 2011, 01:37 PM

You may have read that I published an article about this unfortunate first concert, which was not held, a great shame! I'm glad if you have been good time ! Despite everything, they are still the world's attractions!

Posted by: thefireball Oct 31 2011, 03:20 PM

Awesome, Vaidya! Glad it all turned out well!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Oct 31 2011, 04:42 PM

that's awesome! I remember my first Metallica gig in Bogota, Colombia in '98. It was a huge event I guess similar to what you experienced.

They were awesome indeed, sounded huge. And yep, the same disappointment, Kirk. I don't understand why doesn't he put the time to focus on his performance and playing the solo just right! I will say this, if I was getting paid what he gets paid for every gig I would devote myself to correct any mistake in my technique so that I could deliver them every night.

Take John Petrucci or Guthrie Govan, those guys always play right and you can tell they put the time into it.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 31 2011, 06:28 PM

Wow such a nice story about this concert, I could almost feel the atmosphere, very well written man. Glad you had so much fun on this great concert!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 3 2011, 05:17 PM

What a great post, Vaidya .. very happy that you managed to see Metallica !

I still haven't seen them yet, but I will !!