Ultimate Met Sets

Year ya "discovered" Metallica?

I knew of Met since about age 15-ish (1991 or 1992). I had the Black Album and, I think, Justice, but that was it. "Good band," I thought. "Right up there with Nirvana."

In 1996, at 19, some strange love for this band grew in me. That was, interestingly, immediately after Load. I wrote the official fan club (for about the third time, third different address) and got a very cool, personal response from Toby. Metallica became the central musical figure in my life; nothing else came within 50 miles of my love for this band that had created a masterpiece with every song, every lyric. Heads and shoulders above everybody else. What's more — beyond the superficial criticisms of Load, haircuts, etc., I found a silent solidarity with fan after fan. Amazing.

For my formal introduction, I went to the 1996 USAir Arena show and was blown away. And that was in nosebleed seats! My second show was at Nissan Pavilion (summer 1998). Fourth row in orchestra, fifth seat in. Indescribable. At that show just a couple of rows in front of me, I would later find out, was a man named Paul, a woman named Joanna, and a man named Eric.

Guestimate how many Met shows you've seen.

10?

TOP THREE:

(3) The Fillmore, San Francisco, May 21, 2003. Kirk's night; guest bands - Depressor and Kirk's father-in-law band.

(2) Nissan Pavilion, Gainesville, June 28, 1998. Guest bands - Days of the New and Jerry Cantrell. I didn't see them because I was backstage. Also see above.

(1) The Scope, Norfolk, Monday, April 26, 2004. The most unbelievable on-stage vibe I've ever had the blessing of witnessing. Amazing.

List the 15-18 song setlist that you would like to see Metallica play:

Whatever they'd like to play I'm game to hear, and 18 is just not enough! But since you asked:

1. Blackened
2. Creeping Death
3. Fuel
4. Seek and Destroy
5. - Human
6. Fade to Black
7. For Whom the Bell Tolls
8. The Memory Remains
9. Sad But True
10. Battery
11. Master of Puppets
12. Nothing Else Matters
13. I Disappear
14. One
15. Enter Sandman
16. Breadfan
17. Motorbreath
18. Whiplash

Favorite venue for your Ultimate Met Set?

Woodstock again, or a parking lot. The point is a big, open, airy setting.

Favorite stage set up for your Ultimate Met Set?

Met plays best, I've witnessed, in arenas. They redefined "arena rock" (reference Year and a Half); their stage set-up is testament to this ingenuity. However, no one beats these guys in Coliseum-style shows.