Words by Kris Peters and Kyra-Jade Coombs
Pix by Fozz Gibson Photography
I have actually hijacked Kyra’s review to start off with, not to gloat, but to give you an insight into something many of our readers might never get to experience in their lifetime. I remember the first Metallica concert that I saw after they started offering the Snake Pit to fans, and thinking to myself, ‘one day I vow to have enough money to get in there’.
Well, that day came at the Brisbane show of their M72 World Tour. It was an unexpected gift from a beautiful person whom I shall not name because she didn’t do it for the attention. But I will say that she made a long-standing wish from a massive fan of Metallica turn from a dream to reality, and the best way I can thank her is to share my experience with others in the hope it might tempt them in the future.
Firstly, you cannot appreciate the full magnitude of the Snake Pit until you are sucked into its belly. Sure, essentially it is a cut-out area where the middle of the stage would normally be, but when coupled with the now 360 degree view of the stage it becomes more like a colosseum. I must have looked like a kid at a Bombers final, standing there, mouth open, catching flies and rotating my whole body around the stage as opening band Suicidal Tendencies raged from all angles. At one point, Mike Muir was standing so close to me, I could see up his nostrils, then about 90 degrees to my right Ben Weinman was jumping and playing like a madman, while Tye Trujillo glided directly in front of me while smashing his bass in a manner that didn’t match his youthful innocence.
It was a feeling unlike any other I have had backstage or front of house, and there’s no amount of superlatives that could do it justice. Guitar picks were regularly flung to the eager fans, with security handing out ample supplies of water and four medics never far from sight in case of any mishaps in the pit area. It was actually a touch overwhelming trying to digest everything happening at once, and that was a feeling that lasted in my stomach from the time I stepped past security into the entrance walkway of the Snake Pit until I dragged myself out towards the end of Metallica‘s set.
And I was fortunate enough that Suicidal Tendencies were my first live experience in the Snake Pit, and what a way to break your cherry? There were moments where I closed my eyes and allowed the rush of the Snake Pit to metaphorically put me on stage next to Muir, like a ghostly shadow close enough to touch him but distant enough to remain unseen. And I normally have no imagination whatsoever!
It was quite surreal at times because, judging by the other band members also in the pit after they had finished playing, there must have been no side of stage viewing. Either that or the atmosphere getting down and dirty in the pit was better? But at one stage while watching Metallica I had bass player Rob Trujillo’s wife to the left of me, his son Tye (Suicidal Tendencies) to my right and the bass player from Five Finger Death Punch in front of me! So, not only by being in the Snake Pit do you get all the obvious benefits, but you also might get the opportunity to (literally) rub shoulders with people from the bands you are there to see. Who, incidentally, were all seemingly happy to have a quick hello and chat with their fans, but they also had loud music blasting from every direction they could use as an excuse by holding their hand to their ear with a ‘sorry, can’t hear you. The music is too loud’ gesticulation.
I’m going to leave you for now, because Kyra is sending me the death stares as if to say ‘you have had your fun now boss. Piss off and let me have mine‘. And she scares me, so I’m going to listen. But, if you ever have the money to afford to go into the Snake Pit or anything like it, my advice would be to do it. You will honestly never have an experience like it.
*** Kyra takes over and feints Kris out of the building… ***
If you are reading this, you most likely have the same algorithm as me and have been absolutely bombarded with Metallica news everywhere you look. I must say, as a quick side note… it’s insane that Australia has two of the arguably largest bands in the world touring here right now, being Metallica and AC/DC. The pop-up stores of ultra rare merch alone is sending us broke, and the excitement is enough for my heart to flatline…
Now I want to start off by saying that I’m glad Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane doesn’t have a roof, because this show would have blown that fucker clean off!
As Kris mentioned above, the entrée entertainment for the evening was Suicidal Tendencies. This was the second night in a row we’ve been able to watch them do what they do best – rip the stage in half. What a set up! The rhythm section is Jay Weinberg and Tye Trujillo, who together pulsate high energy into their set, which is 100% necessary because they have to keep up with Mike Muir, who is so energetic that he isn’t just electrifying, he is now identified as energy itself. Who in their right mind would ever complain watching these legends rock out? Not me.
Evanescence were next to assume position, and I can safely say that I thought I was prepared for their set. In turn, I was NOT prepared… not at all. The mere sight of Amy Lee walking out on stage evoked emotion that turned me into a sobbing mess! Granted, this woman has inspired me, shown me how to find a strong voice and lifted me up in times I didn’t realise were so heavily intertwined into my history.
What’s not inspiring about seeing a woman take the stage with nothing but a piano and command a stadium FULL of metalheads – old and new? We got to hear a mix from their repertoire, spanning Evanescence’s career. I’ll admit that I was very keen to indulge in their hits, being the first time I’ve seen them play, and they delivered with Going Under, Lithium (Piano), Call Me When Your Sober and then for the crown jewel, My Immortal done with Amy on piano, with the crowd responding with their lights shining and waving in time. What a beautiful background. Shit, lady, I wasn’t prepared for the cathartic release of emotions this would have on me. Just… wow!
Having a moment with the crowd, Lee shared, “we are all in this together, use your voice. Thank you for growing up with me”. All with a shy, yet loving smile of appreciation. What else to close out this wonderful set with other than Bring Me To Life? What an amazing climax to a beautifully curated show.
The band? Tight. The sound? Loud. The crowd? Amped up and ready for the headliner, Metallica.
Like a well-oiled machine, it was showtime baby! AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll) echoed through the stadium at a level that immediately captured any and all attention – a cool nod to our Aussie superstars. Following this Metallica’s very own call card and official signal that it is indeed time, friends – Ennio Morricone‘s The Ecstasy of Gold gives the nod that our Kings of Metal were arriving, and it was time to commence the ceremony.
Metallica burst on stage to Creeping Death and chaos ensues. The feeling pulsating through the stadium was enough to make Walt Kowalski smile!
Big ol’ bells filled the massive screens on stage, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out what’s next. For Whom The Bell Tolls ignited a massive sing-along, and the energy is continuing to rise. We were honoured to be graced with the Rob Trujillo Crab Walk, adding another level of pure happiness to the show. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, look it up. Also, look up the origin while you’re at it, there’s always room for Ozzy Osbourne chat in this space…
Alright, you lil pyro maniac, it’s almost your time to shine. Up next is Fuel, and what don’t you mix with fuel? Well, fire, of course! Suncorp Stadium was left a sooty mess after, and I was all about it. Hetfield addressed the crowd, acknowledging the amazing energy of the stadium, “we are super grateful that there is this much love from Brisbane, look at this!! That is love right there”. Papa Het was right; there was nothing but love in the stadium tonight.
After many weekends watching Metallica concerts, letting them soundtrack my mornings, nights, and everything in between, it almost felt like an out-of-body experience to have them in front of me churning out songs like Ride The Lightning, The Unforgiven and Wherever I May Roam back-to-back. My Mum was an OG metal head in the 80s, and one of her favourites is Metallica. You could say I pretty much was fed Ride The Lightning in my bottle, so to have this full circle moment and the opportunity to review them 30 years later was making my knees shake with emotional overload.
Rob Trujillo and spooky King Kirk Hammet have a jam mid-set in Australia they have been spotlighting Aussie artists. This time, they hilariously did The Chats‘ Smoko. The funny part was that it was like they were in their loungeroom jamming and not in front of thousands of people. I could imagine Matt Boggis, Josh Hardy and Eamon Sandwith’s (The Chats) phones blowing up causally, ‘Yo, Metallica are jamming Smoko right now’… WILD, congrats fellas!
Fast forward to Sad But True. The timing of this song had the stadium collectively ripping a stank face. Hearing Lars Ulrich smashing his drums, I instantly knew what time it was, and it’s the reason I’m typing this out today with a scratchy voice from singing along with my partner and dancing like I just won the lottery… which I kind of did. This is my lottery and the highlight of the whole show for me.
Hetfield then brought us back to regular heart BPM momentarily with an acoustic intro into Nothing Else Matters. I say momentarily because this could only mean they are about to play this fucking monster of a song, and it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve heard this piece of music, it moves you. Hearing everyone sing along only added to this amazing atmosphere. What a special moment!
Seek & Destroy from their 1983 debut album Kill ‘Em All amped up the crowd, the long-standing Metallica family sharing in that moment together. Notably, a fun contrast is that this song is heavy as fuck, and metalheads are chasing and throwing around these HUGE Metallica M72 yellow and black beach balls like kittens playing with yarn. Chef’s Kiss.
Suncorp Stadium has a strict curfew, being in the guts of Brisbane City, so what better song to end the show on than Enter Sandman? The last course to this show that will be ringing in my head for the next couple of months, no doubt. Probably an early night for Metallica, although they did hang around sharing how much they love Australia and tossing out collectable picks to lucky punters!
What an amazing opportunity and experience to be a part of. The only mixed or negative reviews I have seen floating around are from those who couldn’t attend or the ones who say, ‘I saw them 10 years ago and they will never be that good’. Well, guess what, ‘Captain Arm Chair‘, they still fucking rock. Are they Metallica from 10/ 20 years ago? No, and why would they be? We all age and grow as people, no matter how famous you are. You’d have half a brain to not acknowledge the show they put on is a masterclass and they have set the bar, laying down the blueprint for budding musicians for years to come.
See you around, legends!
