That was probably the most energetic and powerful concert I’ve ever been to! It makes other concerts in 2013 seems tiny!

On Sunday , August 25^th 2013, after 20 years finally Metallica revisited Indonesia. As part of their 2013 Asia Tour, Metallica made a return to Jakarta after their first coming in Lebak Bulus stadium, April 1993, on which was chaotic but memorable to some of their fans.

Half of 20,000 festival class tickets were sold within few days after the ticket box opened. About 54,000 tickets were quoted on sale,more than half capacity of Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium. People dressed in black, mostly wearing metal band t-shirts, were packing the venue since 2 pm. They came from all over the country to celebrate the ‘National Metal Day’ that day. A huge stage was ready, no exaggerating, it was approximately a 60 m x 8 m stage, 20 m in height, with no less than 200,000 W powered sound system. Massive it is.

As opening acts, Seringai kicked-off with their tunes, such as ‘Serigala Militia’ and ‘AkselerasiMaksimal’. They also had Raisa leading a massive choir singing ‘Indonesia Raya’. To have them opened the show, we are proud Indonesian.

After a playback ofEnnio Morricone’s instrumental song, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammet, Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo hit the stage with a bang and all of sudden screams were exploded to the open-air. It was thrilling, within minutes they started with the first track of their very first studio album – Kill ‘Em All. Thousands of fists were punched to the air shouting “We never want to stop again!HIT THE LIGHTS! HIT THE LIGHTS! HIT THE LIGHTS!” Warming-up the start, one of their greatest hits ‘Master of Puppets’ from the same titled album burned the stage, you can hear people burning their lives faster “Obey your MASTER!! MASTER!!”

Hetfield greeted the crowd for the first time “Jakarta! I can’t believe it’s 20 years already! And you’re still with us. It’s a great feeling to be here and still be treated like a family” then it continued with Hammet’s solo, who wants to argue this man’s fingering skill? He played John William’s Star Wars Main Title theme medley with Imperial March (Darth Vader’s theme) and everybody was quiet yet amused.

‘Fuel’ and ‘Ride The Lightning’ speeds up after, then Hetfield said “Jakarta, do you feel it?? I know you see it, I know you hear it. But DO YOU FEEL IT? Now here, I know you know every word of the song… CYANIDE!” and the crowd exploded in shouts once more. Lars Ulrich never seems aged, the energy, the speeding beat in constant power that he had never lost even in one single song!A lot more songs were thrown including ‘Welcome Home (Sanitarium)’, ‘One’, ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ and ‘Blackened’.

Now Hammet back to solo again,intro of an anthem where people started waving their lighters in the air, hundreds of yellow little fiery light brought James Hetfieldsinging the intro “So close no matter how far, couldn’t be much more from the heart, forever trust in who we are…” AND, yes after all the euphoria that night… NOTHING ELSE MATTERS! The set was ended by something people were craving for, after 2 hours of playing, this is the time for ‘Enter Sandman’ to top the list. Crowd in the tribune were now standing, headbanging and thumping, more than 50,000 people were jumping like human wave “EXIT LIGHT! INTO NIGHT!” a song from their 1991 Black album, a song that defined a generation.

Two songs were flashed for the encore; ‘Creeping Death’ and ‘Fight Fire With Fire’, Trujillo went acrobatic with his bass, kneeled down while playing and rolled-back on the stage floor as if he’s not 48. People cheered on him. We didn’t want the encore to be over. But Hetfield gave a funny gimmicks signing that the time’s up, then he played with the crowds, putting his strap on and off as if he’s going to play again. “So Jakarta, do you still have energy left? Alright, we’re going to give you one from Kill ‘Em All. I’ll give you a clue, but you’re gonna help us on this, you gotta sing with us. The clue is.. It is three words” people were randomly guessing, and Hetfield said “it’s.. Seek.. And..?” the crowd shout with their fists on the air “DESTROY!!!” then Hetfield started striking the riffs and the last song of Metallica’s setlist that night has deafened our ears and drained our voices. Ended with Hetfield shouting “THANK YOU JAKARTA, WE LOVE YOU, WE’RE GOING TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOON”.

I bet it’s not too much to expect, just as James Hetfield said to the crowd “You are the fifth member of Metallica!”. (Ditha Thakis / Photos : Metallica.com and Blood Brothers Ent.)

The rumours of their second time visit to Jakarta (their first time was in 1993) started spreading out as Mr.Joko Widodo, Jakarta’s Governor who happens to be a huge fan of the band, received Robert Trujillo’s signed guitar bass. For their concert in Jakarta, it’ll be promoted by Black Rock Entertainment, who also brought Weezer to Jakarta in January 2013.

Metallica are a Los Angeles-based band consisting of James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo. Metallica have won eight Grammy Awards and numerous prestigious awards. On their official website, it says “As August shapes up to be one of the most unique and special months in Metallica touring history, we are also super excited to be returning to Jakarta, Indonesia for only the second time ever. It’s been over 20 years (WAY too long!) and this time around we be will hitting the stage at Galora Bung Karno Stadium on August 25. Online ticket sales begin at 10:00 am local time on Monday, July 8 at www.blackboxtix.com and outlet sales will start one hour later at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 8.”

The wait is over,guys! Either you’re a huge fan or just a usual listener of them, we’re pretty sure that witnessing their live performance will be one of the best things to before you die. So, who’s ready to catch the legend in Jakarta for one more time?

Part 1

Where do I start? How do I begin to describe a band that have been reviewed a million times, by far more talented writers than I, and make it compelling enough for you and others to want to read it?

I could start by describing how a Metallica stadium or festival show these days just look fantastic, no matter where you are. For the last ten years or so they’ve had an enormous screen acting as their backdrop which allows you just as good, if not better, a view as those at the front. Being men of advancing years themselves, they understand people like me who may take advantage of seats that act as quick escape to bar & toilet, ease my aching feet, and facilitate the avoidance of continued chaffing of my poor damaged thighs.

Or, i could begin with how James is back. Hetfield absolutely owned the stage tonight. I’ve seen Metallica many times over the years, and post therapy, he’s certainly turned into a lovely fella, but during that time, to me anyway, he lost the ability to aggressively, physically fill and dominate that stage. Definitely not an issue tonight, this was like the old 80’s and 90’s James in terms of dominance, without the nasty edge. He was light years removed and forward from the rather by rote performance at Donington last year.

What about starting with the setlist? Started with “Hit The Lights”, ended, of course, with a beach ball strewn “Seek and Destroy”. Some killer highlights in “Master of Puppets”, an incendiary “Orion” driven by Rob Trujillo who was celebrated by James for his ten year anniversary, and with a touching nod to Cliff Burton at it’s conclusion. “Fade To Black” doesn’t get played at every gig now like the other standards, but alongside “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”, also played tonight, shows that when Metallica do power ballads they have more balls and energy than most other bands’ blitzkrieg rockers. I, for one, would be delighted to hear Fade instead of the overplayed and somewhat one dimensional “Nothing Else Matters” at any and every gig. I’ve already claimed it for my funeral song.

It’s “One” that still showcases the very best of Metallica. Kirk’s fluid runs, the bane of anyone that’s played Guitar Hero, the staccato Hetfield guitar bursts, the pyro, even Lars having to concentrate and keep it together. Bass, nah, there’s no bass on “… And Justice For All” is there?

However i start it, it needs to make sure that the fact that this was a stellar performance, by one of the world’s greatest live bands at the absolute top of their game is made evident. A true vindication of Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah’s ambition and vision for the 10th anniversary Soundwave 2013.

So, how shall I start it? Ahhhh, who cares!! (SGSN Steve – SGSN Posts)

First Published On Something Gold Something New

I was feeling strangely low on energy and not in the best of moods as I wandered up at the unearthly time of 10.45 to the much improved entry point for the show. My energy levels can be blamed on the man flu I came down with the next day, and my mood was not helped by either the two absolute knobheads on the gate accusing me of having been drinking … at 10.45, or the subsequent non-appearance of Sharks whose gear hadn’t arrived from the previous day’s Brisvegas Soundwave. AJ Maddah’s day went to shit from here as he sought to resolve the rogue missing trucks and get Garbage and Paramore’s gear before their sets. Paramore eventually went onstage after Offspring, while Garbage had to cancel altogether. Such as shame, as I was looking forward immensely to them. Shirley and I have a festival relationship stretching all the way back to Reading 96 and her pink feather boa.

Anyhoo, onwards and upwards, the day got better for both Sharks and me. They got to play an hour long set in Garbage’s slot, and I headed off, much to my own surprise as much as anyone elses, to mostly eschew the punky outer stages for a day of main stage metal … hey it was boiling hot and frankly I couldn’t be arsed to walk all over the shop when there were some quality bands to watch.

First though, a detour for first actual band of the day, Red Fang. The force of Sabbath, Mastodon, Kyuss and Sleep is strong these chaps, and despite the oppressive heat at their indoor stage performance, they cheered the sizeable crowd with solid grooves, mucho banging of heads, great sound and riffs, glorious riffs. None more so than the fantastic closer of, ironically, debut album opener Prehistoric Dog. A great start, likely to only get better as i head off to the main stage to catch …

Anthrax. I’ve seen Anthrax many many times over the years, with Joey and with John Bush, with variously Dan Spitz and Rob Caggiano on guitar, but always with Scott Ian, Frankie Bello and, until today, Charlie Benante directing things from the back. Soundwave’s drummer curse started with Charlie having to stay back in the US for ‘personal reasons’ so Jon Dette has upped sticks as it were and Shadows Fall’s Jon Donais replaces Rob Caggiano on guitar. All this is seamless though as Anthrax just crush their way through a set full of classics. Frankie, Scott and, despite the cheese, Joey are constant cheerleaders starting and ending with all time ‘thrax classics “Caught In A Mosh” and “Madhouse”. Both songs are almost 30 years old but still sound fresh and vital. Surprisingly there were 3 covers in the set, but they’ve always been able to make them their own. In fact most think “Anti-Social” and “Got The Time” are their own songs anyway. No denying though that “TNT” isn’t theirs, but it guarantees a whole stadium singalong and their complete devotion too. Brilliant set.

From 1986 to 1989, my live journey through my teenage years continues with Mike Patton and Tomahawk. I don’t know whether it was the heat, the subdued crowd or Patton’s lack of engagement, but the first half of the set felt one paced and boring. However, as the first torrential downpour came down, Patton woke up and out came the quips, “hey, we’re one of the few bands here with our original drummer” (maybe a show of solidarity for Fantomas bandmate and erstwhile Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo), and the songs like old Mit Gas favourite “Rape This Day”.

The first enormous crowd of the day arrives for Bullet For My Valentine. In the interests of full disclosure, I have a soft spot for Bullet and, for the same reason Funeral For A Friend, as they’re from the same small Welsh town as me. Bullet have always been pretty weak on record for me, especially lyrically. I often cringe when listening to them, but live, when you see and hear the outstanding riffs, and sheer physical assault from the band it’s easier to overlook them. Even Temper Temper improved live, but most joy was reserved, in  an excellent, hit packed set, for crowd pleasing “Tears Don’t Fall” and “Scream, Aim & Fire”.

Kyuss Lives! were a fantastic surprise to me at last years’ Download Festival in the UK, so I definitely wanted to catch them here. Not a surprise in terms of songs, i’ve loved Kysuss for 20 years, but in the fact that despite the fact that they don’t have Josh Homme, (and since Donington have also rather carelessly lost Nick Oliveri), those songs still crush. In the afternoon heat here, steam rising after the rain, they fill the main arena with that beautiful, trancelike sound. Most people didn’t know the songs, but it didn’t matter. They’re moving on now with a new band name, Vista Chino, which is probably best for all concerned, but in the songs like “Thumb” and “Green Machine”, Kyuss still do live.

Due to my hypothesis that stupid masks = stupid band, and the fact thatI’ve never cared for their music I’ve never really been a Slipknot and therefore by association Stone Sour fan, but today Stone Sour bring it, and convert me. Corey Taylor has a great voice, and is a personable, captivating frontman. I also realised i knew far more of their music than i thought. Most pleasant surprise of the day .. Slipknot are still a stupid band though.

Most tarnished band of the day are undoubtedly Slayer. “Dave’s not here man” was the only reference to the absent, fired Dave Lombardo. No Lombardo? No future for Slayer, period. Yes the were bruising, yes Jon Dette (again, after his Anthrax heroics) was fantastic, but it all seemed so clinical, Slayer Inc. There was zero interaction between Tom Araya and Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman is also still absent. This was just a brutally efficient tribute act, which was enough for most of the crowd, but just left me hollow.

Ghost are late to stage, but it only serves to ratchet up the anticipation for this most mysterious of bands. Papa Emeritus II, replete in skull mask (ok ok, they’re probably stupid too, but good songs ) and his 5 hooded nameless ghouls have racked up a lot of friends over the last couple of years. Papa’s voice is the key, he genuinely sings with no need to shout, yet it’s power easily rides the waves from his charged, creative band. New single “Secular Haze” comes over particularly strongly and bodes well for further success.

And so i, like everyone else, head to the main stage for Metallica, in doing so catching the end of Linkin Park. Now, like everyone else, I though Hybrid Theory was pretty cool, and enjoyed it’s follow up Meteroa (or Hybrid Theory pt 2), but live they’ve always come across as way to formulaic and clinical. Everytime I’ve caught them at festivals, they’ve bored me. Maybe i was in a more receptive mood, maybe I was nostalgic, but i enjoyed, really enjoyed in fact, the half hour i saw. Walking in while “In The End” was playing helped as did the renditions of Numb and Faint. Chester Bennington is still a magnificent, powerful singer, (his stage raps haven’t improved any mind) and thankfully Mike Shinoda contented himself to a more backgound role for the bit I saw, while “One Step Closer” reminded me of why I once thought them such a good band, more raw and ragged than their most recent material. It was like meeting an old lover and remembering the good times.

Come back tomorrow for Metallica, they deserve their own spread. (SGSN Steve – SGSN Posts)

First published on Something Gold Something New