Metallica and me

In the beginning of 1995 a friend asked me if I listened to Metallica. I said "No, I've only heard of them." The next day he brought their first three albums. That was it! The first time I heard 'Ride The Lightning' it became one of my favourites. I really liked the cool riffs and the power in their music, but back then it wasn't anything else. It all became different the first time I went to one of their conserts. There can't be many other bands that plays with such passion. At once I realized why people say that Metallica is a "live-band".

A short while after that consert some friends, and myself, began researching about Metallica and finally put all the stuff we got together on a CD-rom about them. All this new knowledge made me understand their music . Now I'm also a member of their fan club which ofcourse makes things even better.

In the early of November last year (-97) I got a phone call from the local chapter of the Metallica Club. I already knew the band was going to a promotional event in Stockholm the day before the release of 'ReLoad'. There would be no entrance fee. They would just let in the first 1400 people that got there. Now I got that phone call which told me they had a ticket for me. November 16 gave me a whole new perspective on 'Tallica . To me they weren't just great music anymore. Now I really like them as the people they are, and for the great personalities they stand for. As a surprise they turned up to do a free gig. In an interview that day James said: "Showing up and 'them see your ugly face here... Y'know, I think it gives them the feeling that we care even more." As a member I didn't have to queue for 15 hours. In fact, I just had to wait about 30 minutes, and still got in before the others. I got in the row right in front of the stage where I experienced a real kick-ass konsert. But that was just the beginning. 1999 I went to their consert and even got backstage where I met Jason and James in real life. I don't think I have to describe that moment. And I know that as long as these four guys keep on going there will be several experiences like this one.

What I am trying to say is that Metallica is so different. For example: How many bands would go out on a free promo tour with free live shows for their fans?