Metallica's Death Magnetic Tour has finally ended.

Jeremys Spoken

(By Steffan Chirazi, So What! Editor)

...so this is the end my friends...I mean, not of Metallica or anything like that, uh-uh... as James Hetfield himself said at the conclusion of tonight's World Magnetic tour at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, 'we'll be coming back quite a few more times' ...no, the end my friends of a tour which has taken in 215 shows over 992 days in 45 different countries.
The end of an end of a tour which saw Metallica go to Australia thrice times such was the demand (I mean, what was it? 16 shows that those lovely, mad antipodean bastards drank up like the finest champagne in comfy beer bottles?) .
The end of a tour which (for me) saw this band rediscover it's true heart and soul.
The end of a tour which saw these four men grow up a whole lot more than ever before.

It's the first time I've seen a tour end where everyone in the band hadn't grown tired of each other.
No fights.
No major grumbles.
No passive-aggressive games.
Just four men who were genuinely enjoying every night they brought this music to you, and furthermore, genuinely enjoying their own beautiful, harmonious chemistry.

There is obviously a physical relief that their bodies will get some rest, some recuperation beyond two weeks.
But equally, there is the gnawing sense that this...this...well, 'this was fun and shit, we're gonna miss it quicker than we know.
'Because to me, Lars, James, Kirk and Rob plugged into performances that were often transcendent in terms of realizing another level to which this band can go as artists and performers. And as such, there has grown an enormous comfort in the knowledge that their re-birth at the start of 'Death Magnetic' has flourished into a whole new life.

These shows (this tour) has seen Metallica play unencumbered by the sorts of performance worries and stresses that multi-platinum bands often get back-ache from. They've played with the spirit of kids again, and because they've been having fun and not sweating the details, the details have been virtually spotless. Funny how that works...

But make no mistake, this ain't been no sloppy-Joe garage band trogging it around the place. This has been a mighty operation reliant on what must be the best crew anyone could ask for. I'm not usually one for just throwing out statistics uninvited, but I'm going to because, well, they're pretty mind-blowing.

143 arena shows, 34 festivals, 29 stadium shows, 4 club/theater shows, 3 TV/radio shows, 2 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame shows...two natural disasters with the Icelandic volcano and the Christchurch, NZ earthquake but no shows lost (unless you count a certain oyster incident!)...approximately 56,000 beach balls have been dropped (and word is that the carpenters and illustrious stage manager might well have consumed an equal amount of beers)...seven new babies were born to Metallica crew members, there was an engagement (Tori to Trivett) and a marriage (Dewey)...there have been approximately 180 crew members for whom this has been a life taking up varying degrees of 24-7 time; 14 have made it from the first show to the last. There are more stats but, ah, another day. Needless to say, since the tour that became World Magnetic kicked off on May 14, 2008 to this, it's final day, November 21, 2010, a lot has happened to a lot of people...

...and so it is that for tours to survive, let alone flourish, the family spirit must be here, there, everywhere. Think for a second about that; it doesn't always mean 24/7 happy-shiney-people, but it does mean love and respect from EVERYWHERE at a show, from the band to the crew to YOU...

Lars had been talking to a few of the fantastic fans that travel thousands of miles to dozens of Metallica shows, the next-level dedicated if you will, and he told them that he was also them, that he had done similar for Richie Blackmore. He said he'd join them at the rail and get in there. And tonight, after the final note of the tour had been heard, after the 'final whistle' had been blown if you will, there was Lars, jumping down from the stage and getting right into that crowd (Kirk being quick to join him) diving into the melee and coming up for air with that famous dirty, filthy grimace of Ulrichian joy. It was great, a simple but immensely powerful (as well as pure) gesture. And you simply cannot fake that shit. You really can't. And I say that not just because Lars said he'd get on the rail with the fans and did, I say it because deep down, there is a real kinetic charge that they all get from the fans. It's undeniable. You most likely know what I mean, and if you don't, go to a show one day and learn!

So really, let me be clear once more. Yes, it's the end of the World Magnetic tour, but it's been a celebration of the new worlds, new places, new journeys and destinations I feel Metallica will now embark upon with greater happiness, enjoyment and fortitude than for many a year. And as hard as I try to round this off by saying goodbye, well, it isn't is it? Metallica is 30 starting in January 2011...and given the appetite I've witnessed even during these last three Melbourne shows, we'll be hearing from them sooner than later (they already announced Rock In Rio next September before officially ending World Magnetic, that tells you something). I have no inside knowledge and no details of anything whatsoever, but I'm telling you goddamit that I'm right!

:-)

Steffan Chirazi
Melbourne, Nov 21st 2010

I saw them 5 times this tour.

215 shows over 992 days in 45 different countries.

May 2008- Nov 2010....

wow....

Digital Twilight

I saw them twice - 1 in London 02 for the album launch gig (tickets were £5) and again in Manchester the year after.

Not a bad run of shows. I think I read somewhere recently Lars saying they will probably go into the studio next year and work on their new album.

DV70007

Saw them three times on this tour. Absolutely awesome touring machine! Been a fan forever and they have never disappointed.

StoneAment

Digital Twilight wrote:

I saw them twice - 1 in London 02 for the album launch gig (tickets were £5) and again in Manchester the year after.

Not a bad run of shows. I think I read somewhere recently Lars saying they will probably go into the studio next year and work on their new album.

They played the O2? Wow totally missed that one

Digital Twilight

StoneAment wrote:

Digital Twilight wrote:

I saw them twice - 1 in London 02 for the album launch gig (tickets were £5) and again in Manchester the year after.

Not a bad run of shows. I think I read somewhere recently Lars saying they will probably go into the studio next year and work on their new album.

They played the O2? Wow totally missed that one

Yeah 2008 and like I said £5 per ticket

Brisk.

And what a band!

EdLaw

I saw them at the London O2 album release gig, at the second of the two proper O2 Arena shows in March '09, and again at Sonisphere Knebworth. Three pretty different and awesome gig experiences.

I'll never forget seeing them bust out The Outlaw Torn in London, I was absolutely stunned.

Brisk.

EdLaw wrote:

I saw them at the London O2 album release gig, at the second of the two proper O2 Arena shows in March '09, and again at Sonisphere Knebworth. Three pretty different and awesome gig experiences.

I'll never forget seeing them bust out The Outlaw Torn in London, I was absolutely stunned.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

SO I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE!!

IT'S MY FAVE SONG ALONG WITH BLEEDING ME.

Indifference71

Jeremys Spoken wrote:

215 shows over 992 days in 45 different countries.

May 2008- Nov 2010....

wow....

WOW. Now that is a fucking world tour!!

eeriepadave

I saw them once during the tour in Jan '09 seems like forever! These guys are beasts when it comes to touring. Hope to see them again next time. I think I've seen them in total about 7 times.

locked

Finally caught their single date on Boston on this tour.
Lars even joked from the stage that it's shitty the band only makes it to Boston once every four years...?
I was hoping that would mean they would return on the second leg but it was not to be!
Word to the wise, if the band has any dates near you... Dont wait grab tickets before you miss them!

dcfaithful

I like Metallica, have seen them twice, once on the Death Magnetic tour... I'm not a die-hard fan, but I will say one thing...

That band is one of the most prolific touring units around, and to add too it, they put on a kick ass show.

number1PJfan

Saw them twice. Bought tickets to see them 8 1/2 hours away in St Louis, MO then a few months later they announced they were coming to Nashville which is only 3 1/2 hours away. So, I had to go see them again! They were in my backyard--that is as about as close as it gets for big names around me.

lostrocker815

I saw them once, in Auckland last month. First time seeing them.

AMAZING!!

They were really incredible, tight, they really seemed to enjoy it, James is a great frontman, really knows how to get the crowd going. Kirk is wicked.

Love the round stage

LukinFan

I saw them at Bonnaroo in 2008 - good show

EdLaw

Brisk. wrote:

EdLaw wrote:

I saw them at the London O2 album release gig, at the second of the two proper O2 Arena shows in March '09, and again at Sonisphere Knebworth. Three pretty different and awesome gig experiences.

I'll never forget seeing them bust out The Outlaw Torn in London, I was absolutely stunned.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

SO I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE!!

IT'S MY FAVE SONG ALONG WITH BLEEDING ME.

Outlaw might be my favourite song, definately in the top 2... and Bleeding Me would make the top 10. Haven't been lucky enough to see that one... roll on the next tour and fingers crossed!

jondu003

Started counting... saw them 7 times on this tour, meet & greet at Rock Am Ring. Lars is the greatest guy. Also attended the infamous oyster non-show Great run, Pearl Jam should do something similar.

vedder_soup

saw them twice on this tour 4 times all together
epic shows, it was great Australia finally got the full production here as well

Karley

Jeremys Spoken wrote:

(By Steffan Chirazi, So What! Editor)

It's the first time I've seen a tour end where everyone in the band hadn't grown tired of each other.
No fights.
No major grumbles.
No passive-aggressive games.
Just four men who were genuinely enjoying every night they brought this music to you, and furthermore, genuinely enjoying their own beautiful, harmonious chemistry.

Am I the only one who thinks that stating this is somehow embarrassing? I've seen them on this tour, too (4th time).

BinauralJam

I saw them once, the second night at MSG, Outstanding, they played Creeping Death and Fade!!! long time fan, first time i saw them. Stage set up is brillant, one thing that stood out to me, 9 Men to every 1 Women, lotta testosterone.

uninnocent-

i wholly regret having not caught them this tour. i last saw them during the st anger tour and was bitterly disappointed. because of that, i didn't give death magnetic a chance until my opportunity to see a show had passed. here's hoping that they release another quality album and hit the road again (if just to appease me).

Flagg

Yeah, say whatever you want about Metallica, but they put a lot of bands to shame when it comes to touring.

dcfaithful

Flagg wrote:

Yeah, say whatever you want about Metallica, but they put a lot of bands to shame when it comes to touring.

Totally agree. They make a lot of my favorite bands look like pussies.

dcfaithful

BinauralJam wrote:

I saw them once, the second night at MSG, Outstanding, they played Creeping Death and Fade!!! long time fan, first time i saw them. Stage set up is brillant, one thing that stood out to me, 9 Men to every 1 Women, lotta testosterone.

Yeah, it's probably one of the few times I've been smashed between sweaty, screaming men and did not mind. :? :?