"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 Trujillo 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 synonymous with the term Metal, that I had know idea 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.

9 0'clock we watched The Darkness preform followed by the Italy-USA soccer match (They tied 1:1); everyone was really here to see Metallica! The show started promptly at 11 o'clock. It was a great opening with Creeping Death, Fuel, and Wherever I May Roam. After that James announced a new song. It was long, and the arrangements of tempos and styles varied; it was somethimes heavy sometimes "nu."

Another pinnacle moment in the show, James read off the big screens announcing the 20th Anniversary celebration of Master of Puppets. James wailed and the band hammered-out the song with incredible authenticity to the original sounds of 1986.

Then it was time to pay honor and respects. On the eighth song of the Master of Puppet's set, Orion, the screens lit up with a photo of Cliff Burton, his name and the dates of of his birth and death. James said, "God bless Cliff Burton" and sent a kiss to the sky.

With a moment to catch our breaths, Metallica played some more of the classics: Sad But True, Nothing Else Matters, One and ended the concert with Last Caress, and Seek & Destroy.

James thanked the crew and Kirk tried to say farewell in Italian. Something was lost in the translation as they say. As Rob was making fun of him Lars spoke the last words for the band, "It's great to have our last show here in Italia! We'll see you next year with a new record and a new tour!"

Before reality could set in, those of us who could wax nostalgic remembered what youth was like, when the sweet, sweaty, crowded, music infested air at a Rock/Metal concert made you feel alive for the first time.