Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2009

Review: Brilliant and brutal, Metallica proves 'Magnetic'

Review: Brilliant and brutal, Metallica storm Dallas and deliver one of 2009's finest shows.

Preston Jones

DALLAS -- From out of the darkness, the sound rolled in merciless waves, pummeling the audience. It was an eerie feeling, full of menace and power.

Metallica had arrived onstage.

For more than two hours Tuesday night, the Bay Area godfathers of metal ripped through a muscular set that had a sold-out American Airlines Center screaming itself hoarse. Performing in the round, with multiple microphones, a surfeit of laser lights and enough pyrotechnics to melt Reunion Tower, Metallica proved why it has endured for nearly three decades.

Mixing foreboding lyrics with stunningly complex guitar riffs and drum fills, the quartet didn't let up until the final notes of Enter Sandman faded. It was a display of technical wizardry and raw human endurance like few of Metallica's contemporaries can manage.

Frontman James Hetfield (he of the perpetual snarl) roamed the stage, pausing dramatically to run his fingers along the frets; lead guitarist Kirk Hammett unleashed one breathtaking solo after another; bassist Robert Trujillo helped anchor the propulsive, head-cracking tunes and peerless drummer Lars Ulrich was his usual kinetic self. Locked in tight from the opening moments of That Was Just Your Life, Metallica was note-perfect all night long.

Like any band that endures for multiple generations, Metallica has weathered its fair share of changes. Unlike most enduring bands, Metallica hasn't sagged (too much) in its later years; if anything, the group is playing as tight as it did in its early '80s prime. Metallica is touring behind its critically acclaimed 2008 record Death Magnetic, a visceral return to form that comprised much of the set list.

A testament to Magnetic's quality is how well the fresh material fits alongside the classic; one of the many highlights was an absolutely synapse-scorching rendition of Master of Puppets that nearly tore off the roof. New tracks like All Nightmare Long and The Day That Never Comes packed just as much bite.

Ageless and thrillingly dynamic, Metallica delivered a precision assault on the senses that will rank as one of 2009's finest shows.

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