So, tonight … Metallican or Metallican’t?

Alright, so it’s a day of reckoning, a day a great many of us have been anticipating for quite a while now — and no, I’m not talking about the election. I’m talking about fucking Metallica at the Pepsi Center, dudes. Tonight we’ll see if the cats still got it. I have to admit, I’m starting to warm up to the new record…gradually. At first, I was all like: Too little, too late, boys. But then one of my bros called me out. I was all like: brick-walled mastering, loudness wars, yada yada. And he was like: Fuck that! You’ve gone soft. Metallica’s back, man, and all is forgiven. (Of course, I’m paraphrasing here — he would never say I’ve gone soft because he knows he’s liable to get a knuckle samich, but you get the picture.)

Anyhow, last night, my other buddy Bartz broke out the analog remasters of Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightning on vinyl and we sat in his den and listened like we were seventeen again. And you know what, that shit still kicks ass, man. So while I’m still not ready to say that the new stuff hits me in the chest like those old records do, I can see why some are saying it sounds like redemption. Here’s to hoping tonight’s show restores the faith of those of us who turned away. And it just might if the setlist judiciously avoids most of the post-Justice dreck, as it did in Portland on Saturday and Salt Lake last night. — Dave Herrera

Setlist – 11.03.08 Salt Lake City, Utah

That Was Just Your Life The End Of The Line Creeping Death Wherever I May Roam One Broken, Beat And Scarred Cyanide Sad But True Until it Sleeps Disposable Heroes The Day That Never Comes Master Of Puppets Battery Nothing Else Matters Enter Sandman

Encore:

Die, Die My Darling So What Seek and Destroy

Portland, Oregon – 11.01.08