Review: METALLICA Heavy, But Fan Turnout Light

August 4, 2003

Dave Ferman of Star-Telegram reports that METALLICA, the biggest name in heavy metal throughout the '90s, "didn't even come close to filling Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas Sunday night (Aug. 3). The floor was crowded but much of the upper deck sat empty.

"Far-short-of-capacity houses have been the rule on the band's Summer Sanitarium 2003 tour, which also features sets by four other bands, including proven large-hall headliners LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT. After a long time out of the spotlight, and with drummer Lars Ulrich alienating many fans with his anti-Napster stance, METALLICA is looking vulnerable. While the band's new 'St. Anger' CD has sold well, it doesn't seem to have the legs of past releases, such as the band's 1991 self-titled 'black album,' which spawned the hits 'Enter Sandman' and 'Sad But True'.

"As a live band, though, METALLICA remains impressive. Its set, which emphasized material from the '80s and the black album, was easily the equal of past visits -- ultra-heavy, often thrashy and laced with showy, blindingly fast solos by Kirk Hammett and fierce vocals from James Hetfield, beginning with the one-two punch of 'Battery' and 'Master of Puppets' and continuing with such favorites as 'Harvester of Sorrow', 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' and 'Sad But True'." Read more.

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