Tonight:
8°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
David Smyth's rating
Reader rating
Some 27 years after they formed, Metallica are number one once again. Death Magnetic hit the top spot in the UK album chart after just two days on sale last week, and the band celebrated with a stripped-down fanclub show that was anything but intimate.
Their latest success comes at a time when the giants of metal are bigger and scarier than ever, with both Metallica and Iron Maiden playing arenas and stadiums endlessly, vying to see who can last long enough to become the genre's Rolling Stones. Metallica play the touring game expertly, even selling branded Babygros at bounteous merchandise stands.
Filling Britain's biggest venue having paid just a fiver each to charity, this crowd had the wild-eyed look of people who knew they were getting a ludicrous bargain and couldn't believe there was no catch. With roughly a 40-to-one male-tofemale ratio the place looked like a lecture theatre for an engineering degree, but all that free-flowing testosterone was ideal for a band with no time for delicacy.
Though Metallica's traditional pyrotechnics extravaganza is being saved for an imminent American tour, and the only special effects here were relentless strobe lighting and dozens of jolly black beach balls, the unfussy setting suited a new album that is a welcome return to basics.
New producer Rick Rubin encouraged them to look back at what made late-Eighties favourites such as And Justice For All and Master Of Puppets such classics in the field. The result is an almost flabfree 10 tracks that rock terrifyingly hard and show little sign of having been written by men in their forties. Among those aired here were The End Of The Line, which orbited around a vaulting central riff, and The Day That Never Comes, a rare ballad that mutated over seven minutes into another vicious snarler.
James Hetfield stalked lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and widelegged bassist Robert Trujillo around a rectangular stage in the centre of the room, screaming into one of eight strategically placed microphones. Lars Ulrich drummed frantically on a rotating platform, spitting high into the air and standing at the end of each song to gurn and milk applause.
Even without explosions, during older tracks such as One and Seek And Destroy, the band were exhausting to watch. Like the Rolling Stones, Metallica are still here because they still put on a great show. They'll still be on top when those wearing their Babygros are holding their own down the front.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I thought the set was great but agree with Simons comments re the sound quility it was poor!
- Paul Caudery, Bucks
Been to the 02 half a dozen times, the quality of the sound depends where you sit. Block 111 was rubbish, frontish of 107 poor, C1 floor OK, 101 brilliant. I'd never sit in the 400s at the top so can't comment but I hear it's not so bad up there. I won't be going to the 02 again unless I'm in 101 of flat-floor front but I god knows how you get tickets for those seats.
- Bob, Hampshire
Was in the stands and from where I was the sound was perfect so was the gig. Well done Metallica for an awesome comeback.
- Martin, waltham abbey
Also baffled by Simons comments. The sound quality was awesome. I have seen Metallica 8 times and this was one of the best I have been too and all for a FIVER! That was just your life, Jump in the Fire, Cyanide and Seek and Destroy (of course) all highlights for me!!
- Craig Brindley, Gloucester
Amazing gig - for £5 plus the fan club fee, the best value ever! We weren't sure if they'd just turn up and say hello with a couple of songs, or maybe an hour's set. But two hours of classics mixed with new tracks were simply superb. That Was Just Your Life was a great starter, and the lighting during The Day That Never Comes brought the simple stage-set to life. A real party atmosphere, complete with the beach balls during Seek and Destroy! My first visit to the The O2 and the arena, very impressive.
- Andy, Hitchin, UK
Simon, I was in the stands and I could hear Hetfield almost word perfect. Lord knows where you were!
- Wil, North Greenwich
Spot on. The boys are back, but then perhaps they never left: last night they omitted a string of their staple anthems (eg Sandman), weaved in songs from much derided St Anger and Load albums which they haven't played for ages to give a monster performance aimed squarely at fans. As live bands go they've always been exceptional, last night they got their confidence back. How many 80s bands have managed to produce such high quality new material (of which they played 5 songs) which blends seamlessly with the golden era rather than being an excuse to fetch a drink? Felt immeasurably more satisfied walking out of the O2 last night compared to last Thursday.
- Bert, Whereverimayroam, UK
Last nights show, although intimate was a stripped down stormer. The intense speed and power or the new songs from Death combined with the harnessed power of such classics as 'One' and 'Blackened' added up to simply great show. The only downside with such a new album is that the crowd seemed a bit lost on the sing alongs which definalty peaked once the back cataloge was rolled out (One, Puppets, Seek & Destroy, take your pick!). To finalise then, simply great raw show without effects that delivered an age-defying peformance from the band that now appear to be revitalised with new anger and viguer!. Heres to another 27 years of Metallica (well maybe 20 at least!).
- Ben H, Hornchurch, UK
I was at the gig and from up in the stands the sound quality was awful so it was very hard to hear Hetfields lyrics! They probably were amazing ... shame the sound system wasn't equal to the task! Only paid a fiver so can't really complaim but it certainly wasn't the best gig I've been too!
- Simon, Hampshire
