Total madness ! The Singaporean maniacs at the front row were the craziest ! The crowds were the loudest ! Even the official METALLICA - 'Tour Journal' stated - 'I believe we have a new leader for loudest crowd on this tour ! Singapore was singing along with 'Ecstacy of Gold" loudly and it just got louder from there !'
We were fortunate to be able to stand in the 2nd / 3rd line fronting the centre stage. Everybody were extremely excited, singing along to the intro - "Ecstacy Of Gold" yet still calm. There was this young fan that has already became uncomfortable. We asked him - "are you okay ?", and he gave the thumb up, but the plastic cup he was holding looked shaking.
As soon as METALLICA kicked off with "Hit The Lights", the ground shaked as everybody went berserk with fist held high, singing their heart out. But the worst is yet to come. When the band hit the 2nd song "Master Of Puppets", the madness began. The front row was really cramped and intense, and you have this terrible human wave came crushing from left, right and back. Totally sandwiched ! It was the craziest moment but the feeling inside there was priceless. A sudden glimpse of the book - 'Murder In The Front Row' (by Harold Oimoen & Brian Lew) about the San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Scene flashed before our eyes.
Everybody was cool despite not knowing each other, yet clingin' and hangin' onto one another. We believed everybody was looking out for each other. By then, that young fan has already fainted standing, yes, standing, and we shouted loudly to the security and everbody helped to get him out fast. Several others were lifted out of the barrier during "Master Of Puppets" from the ground we stood. It was the best moment. The energy was enormous, the crowds were running wild, singing along to the chorus, even doing the 'wowowo' to Hammet's guitar solo when Hetfield gave the cue - "together".
It might gave shiver to the spine, but those tough and fast security personnel were always on alert, looking out for those in need. Plain water in plastic cup were passed out continously, and splashing of water came in once a while. The situation continued with "The Shortest Straw".
Then after, Hetfield started to connect with the crowds - "So you all have been waiting 20 years ? Thank you so much for waiting, that's some dedication ! We appreciate you waiting and we are grateful to be here. Finally after 20 years Singapore, this one goes out to the dedicated family member of Singapore. This is some old stuff ..." and then the killing riff of "Ride The Lightning" exploded and all hell broke loose again. It appeared a bit calmer during "Fade To Black". If you want the luxury, get the 'Unforgiven Pass' instead, where you can see METALLICA comfortably from the lounge area.
We left the front row to the middle during "The Memory Remains" to get the taste of reactions from the other crowds. Another highlight of the night, especially the never ending sing along towards the end.
What do you want ?" - Hetfield asked the crowd. A big response for "The Four Horsemen" came shaking. Are we goin' to get a sudden change in the setlist ? METALLICA only belted out the track once during the Tokyo show (10/08/2013). They didn't played it in Osaka (11/08/2013), Shanghai (13/08 & 14/08/2013), Seoul (18/08/2013) and Kuala Lumpur (21/08/2013). We do not know what will happen in Jakarta (25/08/2013) either. But it turned out to be "Sad But True", hence dissapointing many.
The magical moment for the younger fans (or perhaps all fans) must be during "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman". The 'Black Album' as it is known to the fans had this more commercial touch and the band built their younger fanbase from there. Everybody was singing, jumping and doing whatever they felt like enjoying.
The 'encore' was even classic, its "Creeping Death", "Battery" and "Seek & Destroy".
Setting out of the event by LAMC Productions was top notch. The stage was brilliant and the location was perfect. Earlier, we have 'Metal On Metal' Canadian veteran - ANVIL on stage. From the look of their faces, they were really having fun despite their age. While, opening act - local band SACRILEGE managed to built up the momentum, as the crowds impatiently await for ANVIL and METALLICA.
There are a few artworks for the official shirts. The dated Singapore shirt (with the Merlion head) has long gone when we reached the booth. So, we get the shirt with the awesome 'The Four Horsemen' artwork instead with Asian countries printed at the back. The artwork was done by John Dyer Baizley - a painter and musician (vocal/guitar for BARONESS - American Progressive Metal band)
Getting to see METALLICA live, belting out our good old days favorites like "Master Of Puppets" (total madness !), "... And Justice For All" (where are the crowds ?), "Welcome Home - Sanitarium" (classic !) and "Creeping Death" (the crowds were loud ! Die ! Die ! Die !) was a life time experience. Everything was simply outstanding ! Thanks LAMC Productions !
"You kicked our ass !" - Hetfield said ! Yes, Singapore did !
Setlists
intro : Ecstacy Of Gold
1) Hit The Lights (Kill 'Em All)
2) Master Of Puppets (Master Of Puppets)
3) The Shortest Straw (... And Justice For All)
4) Ride The Lightning (Ride The Lightning)
5) Fade To Black (Ride The Lightning)
6) The Memory Remains (Reload)
7) Broken, Beat & Scarred (Death Magnetic)
8) Welcome Home - Sanitarium (Master Of Puppets)
9) Sad But True (Metallica)
10) ... And Justice For All (... And Justice For All)
11) One (... And Justice For All)
12) For Whom The Bell Tolls (Ride The Lightning)
13) Blackend (... And Justice For All)
14) Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
15) Enter Sandman (Metallica)
Encore
16) Creeping Death (Ride The Lightning)
17) Battery (Master Of Puppets)
18) Seek & Destroy (Kill 'Em All)
No photo as we came to see it, hear it and feel it ...
For official photo, video & live download, visit Metallica.com
