Metallica  - Brazilian Magnetic Tour
Porto Alegre Jan 28th, São Paulo Jan 30th  And 31st 2010

We forgive them for poor songwriting in “Load”, “Reload”, “St anger” (though YES, they all have their own good moments, but the whole of thing kinda hurt our intelligence), for the unnecessary bad words spitted against heavy metal (and plus, getting their hair done and shopping “sober”, expensive and fancy clothing) during 90’s second half, pronouncing such things as “metal is dead”, “we always hated heavy metal”, everything just to be “into” something, “into” fashion, “into” teenage ups and downs taste for “music” (OK, you people might not remember those words, but I’m sorry, I’m 30 and still have a very angry teenager inside me: I DO remember them!), the prosecution against Napster – however, it may sound weird, I really do understand them about this, once internet and music free sharing were 100% new by that time, back in 00’/01’, and Yes, I’m a musician, songwriter, band member, and I’d be VERY concerned IF I saw my efforts, hard work and art become alms at beggars’ hands – which at the end of the day, seemed to prove the band were interested in “nothing but the Money”, as IF they had only little; all pathetic relationship discussions, yet funny and worthy at least anthropologically speaking, as seen in “Some Kind of Monster” DVD. Very well Metallica, me and more than a little hundred thousand Brazilian citizens, we DO forgive you!
Now , please, could you people blast some tough and male metal for us? XD

I belong to a class of people, a few chosen ones, who had the opportunity to not think twice: “they’re going to perform three gigs in distant and apart places. It does not matter, I’ll be attending ALL three! I’ll never forgive myself IF I lose a single song.” And no, I’m not criticizing those who could not afford this triple metal adventure, once they took place in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, which means EXTREME country’s southern, and two other ones in São Paulo. IF we stick only to South and Southeastern Brazilian states, that would be an expensive deed to people residing in Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, either traveling by car, interstate bus or airplane. In other words, not an easy thing to do, it demands patience, love and passion for the band. My sincere congrats to all brave ones who at least made it alive to a single one of these “forgiveness celebrations”, it wasn’t light neither cheap.

For me, well, I can hardly speak about that... We were part of what James Hetfield calls “Metallica family”.

The gross of the set list was the same in the 3 concerts: the already mentioned opening and closing, the “normal” end of set, before the coming back, always counting on “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman” – two songs that, coincidence or not, people that didn´t resemble much those who are real part of the “Metallica family”, if we consider their attitude regarding the other songs and even their clothes, those were in real ecstasy... well, we, real members from the Metallica family know that these kids are only some kind of distant cousins...

The emblematic “One”, the new songs from “Death Magnetic”: “That Was Just Your Life” and “The End of the Line” and the one which James ALWAYS asks if we want more punch: Sad Butt True”, and of course, the shot in the neck under the name of “Master of Puppets”. The rest, my friends, was always a different delight, a new and pleasant surprise, night after night. “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was there twice, “Ride the Lightning” also, my favorite from the new album, ”Broken Beaten and Scared”, only once, but enough to make me happy, and some other nose punches as “Battery”, “Blackened”, “Harvester of Sorrow”, here and there. And what to say about “Fade to Black”, the first and mature ballad from Metallica, released one year after they stated they would never make ballads or video clips... tsc, tsc, tsc Metallica, always betrayed by your own words XD. Whoever have been, is or will be a guitar student KNOWS (or you should know it now) you might have learned or if not you WILL learn the structure, and mainly the introduction solo of this '”Ride the Lightning” track. This is Metallica in their best moment...although I agree that “Nothing Else Matters” is the definitive metal ballad.

Individually, each member has distinct and striking characteristics: Hetfield, years ago has polished his voice style, ans has played guitars of legendary and precise bases, sometimes a more melodic solo which is more part of his playing (see by the final lead in “Nothing Else Matters”), Kirk Hammet found himself back with his classic speed metal style of making solos, even though he´s not virtuous in the instrument and until now, keep on getting  his spotlight moment alone on stage during the concert. Well I´d say: he cannot deceive a musician, but the audience is made of 90% of non musicians, and even one might make reverence to the history and the influence of this man over us, including me. Robert Trujillo, egress from bands like Suicidal Tendencies, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, is and will always be the same “low sound king”, boastful, a cave man posture with his aggressive look, straight and very long cherokee Indian black hair, now in charge for the backing vocals, before very well done by Jason Newsted (actually, this one was famous for singing entirely songs like “Creeping Death” and “Seek and Destroy”). Well, and Lars Ulrich? The Danish blabbermouth is, undoubtedly, the enemy number one of the metronome and the compass division. But who cares, this is so charming in Metallica that in studio you might think you cannot recognize the band but alive you immediately say: YES! This is Metallica”. But it´s true, dear Lars...decades have passed and you still not use the leading cymbals in your drumkit? Would you like a  22’ Z custom Zildjian as Easter present?XD. Many points for him though, when the subject is double kick speed, even with so much variation I don´t think it has compromised the concert at any moment. Probably this inconstancy have been subject for several “DR’s” to the band, and I think the midterm for the team go on together was exactly to assume that the guy IS like this and it´s much better with him than without him.

Now, my friends, we have to wait patiently for a new album from these 4 bandits and count on the good will of the producers and tour managers to make such an icon  pass by more capitals in the future, and not only for a few privileged people. I know they cannot do much about it since in the major market of music business, you, the musician, says NOTHING about this bureaucratic subject, but it´s never too much to remind those 4 guys, where they came from, where they were at the beginning and how they became big. As far as I know, family members should help each other.