By David Zytkoskee
The big concert this summer was the Metallica, Faith No More, and Guns n’ Roses concert. The date was originally set for August 5th, but was postponed when Axl Rose “blew” out his voice and couldn’t sing (could he ever sing?). So my friends and I had to wait another month before seeing the concert, but the date came, and boy were we ready for it! I was the person “suckered” into driving, so we got there with a half-an-hour to spare.
Suddenly the lights went out (but it was still bright because of the sun) and Faith No More came on! After their first couple of songs, Mike Patton (the lead singer) announced that they weren’t a “warm-up” group anymore. They are currently in their own concert tour with the group Helmet. After they played a while, they ended with their biggest hit, “Epic,” and the Faith fans went nuts! The first of three bands was finished, and then the fun began!
After about 45 minutes, people were getting restless and impatient when it grew dark and everyone went wild! Why? Because the best heavy metal group came out on stage! METALLICA!!! They kicked it off with “Creeping Death”, a song from one of their oldest tapes “Ride the Lightning”! Once the people saw the group, they went berserk! The only thing different was that lead singer and rhythm guitarist, James Hetfield was back. (During a performance in Montreal, James was in his regular position for the song “Fade to Black” when the pyrotechnician lit the flame spurts but didn’t realize that James was standing directly over one! So when the flame was lit, James was engulfed in flames for a full second! His injuries were minor but he still couldn’t play guitar for a couple months! During that time they needed someone to play for James, so they asked the lead axe man from Metal Church to fill in –he’d already filled in for James once before. The name of the guitarist was John Martial. When James introduced him, we gave him a warm Minneapolis greeting.
Although he didn’t have a solo, he played a great concert. Speaking of solo’s, Kirk Hammett had a superb solo. He played fast blues type, and it sounded great! But the ultimate solo was done by the bass player, Jason Newsted. A lot of people think of him as a long-term fill-in for the late Cliff Burton. Everyone knows that there is no bass player like Cliff, but Jason definitely fits the part! At the concert he proved himself worthy of playing with Metallica by playing a perfect solo.
The last highlight was the song “Last Caress” from the tape “Garage Days”. They started to play when the lead guitarist from F.N.M. came out and started to sing with the group! (And he didn’t sound that bad — better than Axl!). So after about 2 and a half hours they thanked everyone and left the stage. NOT!! They came back out for an encore. The song was “One”, the song that made them known and was their first video! So everyone went crazy when they heard the beginning! After everyone calmed down, they thanked everyone again and left the stage, but not for long! After about two minutes we could hear music but couldn’t see anyone. Then suddenly the spotlight went on and the beginning of their biggest hit ever, the song that won them their first Grammy and heavy metal history “Enter Sandman” was being played by James. This was his first time playing in a concert since his accident! When he was finished, people were still yelling and screaming, there were heart attacks, people were killing each other, there were riots outside! To think people still talk about Jesus when James Hetfield is alive! Ok, so I exaggerated a little bit, but people were yelling a lot!
After that the fun ended! Why? Because Guns N’ Roses came on stage late! They were the best group I’ve ever heard! NOT!!! They stunk! Plain and simple! The only songs worth “waking” up to were, “Welcome to the Jungle”, “Paradise City”, and Matt Sorum’s drum solo (even that wasn’t good)! But I shouldn’t say bad things about them, so here are the good things:
1) The people and the group were quiet so you could catch a few z’s.
2) They left the stage ten minutes early
3) It ended! Personally, I thought they didn’t even deserve to be on the same stage as Metallica.
Before I make my comparisons of the two headliners, I would like to say that I used to like G N’ R.
Here are the comparisons of the concert:
- The Bass Guitarist: Although Duff of G n’ R was semi-impressive, I have to say Jason Newsted of Metallica was a shocker! Why? Well, ever since he joined the group in 1987, he has been under Cliff’s shadow and never attempted to play as well as Cliff. I mean let’s face it, no one could ever play like Cliff, but Jason definitely showed that he can play a lot better than most bass players. Duff on the other hand should go back to the drums!
- The Rhythm Guitarist: Well, this one is different since James didn’t play. I have to compare John Martial (James’ replacement) with the new rhythm guitarist for Guns n’ Roses, Gilby Clarke. And there can’t be a comparison since John is the lead from Metal Church!
- The Drummers: In one corner Matt Sorum of G n’ R… and in the other, the heavy metal champ, Lars Ulrich of Metallica! I should say Matt wasn’t toooo bad——Wait, I’m comparing him to Lars, Matt stunk like a skunk. He’s unoriginal! So, Lars didn’t do a solo, but he’s still better!
- Lead Guitarist: Now it’s time for the big guns! Kirk Hammett, the lead for Metallica…. and Slash, the lead for Guns N’ Roses. Not surprisingly, it was equal. Both surprised me, but if I had to choose, I would lean towards Kirk. He didn’t overkill every song like Slash.
- Lead Singer: Now for the last comparison, the leaders of the pack! For Guns N’ Roses: Axl Rose and for Metallica: James Hetfield! I would definitely say James was better by a long shot! The main reason is that James can sing as well as he can play guitar. Plus he didn’t stop in the middle of the concert until it was time for solos! Axl, on the other hand, changed after every song! Finally, James got the crowd into the concert with “Seek and Destroy”, and everyone yelled at the top of their lungs (I almost lost my voice)!!!
When Guns did “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’, all you could hear was the three girls in the background of the music! When the Metallica segment was on, no one was in their seats, but when the Guns segment was on, everyone sat down (except for the morons that don’t know good music from bad)!
And now for a twist that will be in every concert review of mine: Concert Criticisms and Concert Praises!
C.C, GN’R- Get rid of all of the background junk and accessories. They’re toooo much! C.C, GN’R- Go back to your old style. That’s what made you big! C.C. Metallica- Let Lars do a drum solo! C.P, GN’R- Nice hair! C.P. Metallica-Everything!
So here is my final analysis:
Faith No More- You’re in the big league. Good luck!
Metallica- Great concert. Let’s do lunch!
And last and definitely least- Guns N Roses- Go home!
And why don’t you get in the ring? Because you’ll lose!
Next Issue: The Megadeath concert!