We're instantly transported from the Velodrome onto the Desert Rock Tour of Guitar Hero and are now the puppets to their strings, moved by the music. The acoustics are amazing - the sound literally permeates the sea of bodies as we punch our fists into the air chanting in unison. We're standing before true legends of rock, and they're rapidly thrashing through their set with raw, emotive energy.
Four songs in and there's a subtle drum roll, followed by a familiar riff and we go crashing into power ballad, The Unforgiven - one of the five tracks played off the Black album. The Unforgiven is to Metallicats what Like a Virgin is to Japanese karaoke revellers - every lyric comes from somewhere within. Well more than half the set pays tribute to the Metallica of the 80s - the band in their prime. The only song played off Death Magnetic (2008) is Broken, Beat & Scarred - no-one's disappointed though, everyone's here to hear the classics!
A sudden "Bang! Bang! Bang!" is unleashed as the pyrotechnics take centre-stage - everyone knows what's coming next. The haunting melody of One rings out and the crowd cries out in appreciation. Lighters are out and up, and so are cell phones intent on capturing the '88 classic that features that legendary solo from axeman Kirk Hammett.
Metallica are one of the most technically impressive bands in the world - 30 years and counting is quite a long jam session. The bass slapping Robert Trujillo and guitar shredding Hammett stalk around the stage like they own the place. In between his guttural vocals, James Hetfield delivers a "Yeah!" to which the legion gathered in Cape Town, fuelled by the reverberation, reply with an explosive roar.
"Die! Die! Die!" we cry as Creeping Death heralds the encore. Cape Town does love it heavy! Frenzied mosh pits break out across the floor; fans in the stands bang their heads and swing their hair releasing a primal angst; it's devil horns everywhere!
In with the 80s and out with the 80s, Seek and Destroy, a song that featured on Metallica's demo tape, tolls the bell and just like that it's over and we're back at the Belville Velodrome longing for the desert...
Read Bizcommunity's interview with Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo - Talking thrash with Metallica's Robert Trujillo.
1. Hit the Lights
2. Master of Puppets
3. Holier Than Thou
4. Ride the Lightning
5. The Unforgiven
6. Leper Messiah
7. Broken, Beat & Scarred
8. Sad But True
9. Fade to Black
10. Orion
11. One
12. For Whom the Bell Tolls
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
16. Creeping Death
17. Motorbreath
18. Seek & Destroy
Photography by Johnny Lai Sang
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