"A Clear Reflection from the Metal[lica]: Where are they now, a brief history, the life and times" 6/29/06
By Jules Witek

I couldn't believe we grew up together? To think if their gene pool had mixed with mine, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, or Robert Trujullo could have been my older brother. They respectively (but in no sensical order) were born in 63, 63, 62,64, and me -- 67.

(When I was in high school)Metallic hit the Rock richter scale in the early Eighties with such elemental potency, being to this day almost synonomous with the term Metal, that I had know idea at that they weren't long time legends. (Aaah...you can just hear the drum roll with that intro!)

To think they worshipped at the same alters, of The Beetles, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Deep Purple, just like me. They too lived through the Cold War, the Divorce Era, a world without microwaves, cell phones and computers. We are GenX and our cult film is the Breakfast Club. And more importantly, they can recall a world of 45 records, 8-tracks, (the smaller ones) tapes. They too can remember when a bite was an unfortunate run-in with a mosquito or a dog.

Now, as we are all in our 30's and we do what any 30 year old worth a salt does, we reflect with a little clarity, a little confusion, and a lot of soul. So, I joyfully humble myself before these Rock demi-gods caressing the privilege that is mine, to be the writer chosen to write about them. This is my story of Metallica.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW
Just two Saturdays ago! 17 June 2006, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the venue is Imola, Italy, and the event was the Heineken Jammin' Festival; Metallica rounded out a short European Tour. Only four days early they broke the 1997's attendence record in Estonia with 78,000 fans. People came from neighboring countries and all over. Of course anything Metallica, race track, and Farrari gets the endorphines pump'in.