Even if the heavens had opened as forecast and drenched the 55,000 metal devotees who turned out to hear their heroes last night at Eden Park, it wouldn’t have mattered.
In fact, nothing else mattered as US thrash metal legends Metallica took to the stage in a sell-out Auckland show, showing an adoring crowd why they’ve sold more than 163 million records and are still rocking hard 44 years after forming in Los Angeles.
It had been a long time between drinks for the four-piece musical powerhouse - 15 years in fact since their last New Zealand tour.
And though a little longer in the tooth and with a few stints of rehab under at least one of their belts, the band delivered an epic performance and seemed determined to show that even in their 60s, they still had it where it counts.
Though embedded in popular culture during the 1980s, and 90s, Metallica was never one of my personal favourites.
But I’ve developed a new appreciation this year thanks to my 12-year-old son who loves their music more than he loves his own family.
He has the hard rockers on high rotation, learning Kirk Hammett’s intricate solos on his electric guitar and Lars Ulrich’s thumping drum beats on his electric Roland five-piece kit.
And so we made our way to Kingsland’s hallowed turf yesterday afternoon - him on a school night and me recovering from concussion - both of us anticipating what a global super group might have in store.
Alongside us was a sea of black-clad metal heads, decked head to toe in Metallica merch.
Hordes of worshippers - each with large skulls or tombstones festooned across their shirts - marched towards Eden Park with a single and united purpose.
Many were men in their 50s and 60s, and a good proportion still sported the back-in-fashion mullets of the band’s heyday.
As we neared the ground, a reckless death metal garage band assaulted the senses of anyone within earshot, an impromptu gig thrown together in their mum’s carport.
After negotiating huge entry queues, we arrived in time to see support act Suicidal Tendencies, a high-octane California skater thrash group whose lead singer urged New Zealand to “raise your f***en fists”.
They were followed by US rockers Evanescence, whose haunting vocalist Amy Lee told Kiwi fans not to let anyone dictate how we should live or “who to love”.
But as the sun began to set in a grey-blue sky and the packed stadium reached capacity, it was clear there was really only one show in town.
Metallica’s gig was heralded by the classic opening chords of a mega-hit from another legendary band - AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll), with an opening backdrop of old Metallica photographs.
Then, lead vocalist, axe man and founding Metallica member James Hetfield took to the massive 40m stage clutching his trusty Explorer, alongside fellow founder Ulrich, Hammett and showman bass guitarist Robert Trujillo.
They launched into opening song Creeping Death with an apocalyptic visuals display of exploding mountainous terrain.
To the crowd’s delight, they followed up with classic Metallica tune For Whom the Bell Tolls.
“Auckland New Zealand,” Hetfield shouted into the mic.
“Look at the love here in Eden Park. We’re going to have ourselves some fun tonight.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Over the next two-and-a-half hours, the band played an energised set of their best-loved songs.
Standouts were Nothing Else Matters, which drew the night’s biggest applause, followed by Seek and Destroy, which may have registered with GeoNet as a minor seismic event.
At one point Trujillo and Hammett led an impromptu Kiwi music jam session-slash-singalong, belting out Split Enz’ I Got You, and Six60’s Don’t Forget Your Roots - the latter with a minor microphone faux pas.
“Welcome to the party,” Trujillo told the crowd.
“Such an incredible place. Black sand beaches, so prehistoric, so primal.”
As they smashed through the band’s other hits - including Wherever I May Roam and One - Hetfield asked, “You having fun yet?”
The crowd roared back.
As the pungent aroma of sweet Mary Jane drifted across the stadium, Hetfield asked, “What’s that smell? Never mind.
“We’re here to forget all the bulls*** that goes on in life. We’re here to forget all that and just have a good time.”
He asked the crowd to raise their hands if this was their first Metallica concert, then began counting.
“We are so glad you’re here. Welcome to the Metallica family.
“And you can’t leave because if you try to leave we’ll come and find you.”
He then asked if the crowd liked their music heavy.
Roar!
As the band’s penultimate song, Master of Puppets, rang out, a light rain began to fall during Hetfield’s mournful guitar solo.
They closed with a call to arms for their thousands of loyal followers - the 1991 hit single Enter Sandman -which must have had even Helen Clark banging her head and chanting “off to never never land”.
The show was punctuated by an incredible laser show, pyrotechnics, dozens of giant balloons, eerie graveyards and lots and lots of fire.
Needless to say, I’m a Metallica convert. Despite being grandpas, they’re the real deal and sure know how to put on a show.
Get your goats on.
Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.
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