IN THE PIT IN THE ROUND WACHOVIA CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA METALLICA / GODSMACK
By Steve Trager
Godsmack- One of Boston's premier heavy bands not only has headlined their own shows since their initial formation, they have also been lucky enough to tour not just some dates but all of the dates with the mighty Metallica. Godsmack is best known for saucy bass lines, scorching vocals, and over the top guitar works throughout many of their recordings. Godsmack a band name that we still get used to from time to time has made their mark in touring with Metallica. Even though Godsmack never really needed to head out as a support act, Godsmack just added a lil bonus to their musical career in 2004. Most support bands don't get much time to play and not much use of the stage or pa for that matter. In this case here in Philadelphia, Godsmack performed a variety of favorites like “KEEP AWAY ",” BAD RELIGION ", “FACELESS ", and “RE-ALIGN”
Much like any record, which is hard driving heart pounding melodic rock, Godsmack's live shows are more then meets the eyes of any fan out there. Especially on this tour alone Godsmack has given the fans more then their dollars worth in entertainment at this show. Back in the day Sully Erna use to play drums in a band called STRIPMIND right around 1992, basically a ground breaking effort before ending up in Godsmack who has toured the world, earned respect from other bands and have kicked ass up and down the universe. Rounding out their set complete with two rotating drum kits going head to head during the set where Sully Erna and his latest drummer Shannon jammed out to drum riffs of YYZ, WALK THIS WAY, and MOBY DICK. Yeah not only can Sully blister at the vocals, he's an amazing drummer who has demonstrated his power behind the kit.
Metallica - A band who has sold over eighty-five million recordings, set the world a blaze time and time again with sold out global tours, has not only made their trademark as being one of the worlds ultimate top rocks, has clinched numerous awards in a twenty year musical career which for these guys sums up popularity from abroad. Metallica really doesn't need any more press then they have earned over a period of time. We can all remember when Metallica was known for their slick mega -- thrashier rock anthems which have built this band from day one. Some might say Metallica has sold themselves out; others have grown to love this band from the beginning to the current sound, which they have subsequently matured as individuals who still can kick your ass from here to the next century. Despite the fact that Metallica has toned down their image, have written more of what you would call friendly radio formatted songs to fit in with the rest of the world, still Metallica will always be THE MIGHTY METALLICA. With a long list in their catalog, it’s quite hard to pick out a favorite classic, as most fans would defiantly agree. some say recordings off of RIDE THE LIGHTING or MASTER OF PUPPETS have churned out several Metallica classics. Metallica's live shows can only be best described as the ultimate in performances. As if the summer sanitarium tour wasn't enough for any metal head, Metallica has returned to Philadelphia during their fall tour respectively known as MADLY IN ANGER with the WORLD TOUR which camped out for two October dates at the Wachovia Center.
What is great about Metallica is that no two shows can be the same with set lists, change it up a bit every night, even toss in some rare songs that you the fan haven't heard in some time at any given live show. Much like this show which I myself had a chance attend for CRAVE Magazine. With seventeen songs completing an assortment of songs for this show, Metallica opened their in the round stage set with BATTERY, jumping into FUEL, and then going right into THE MEMORY REMAINS. other classics or favorites throughout the show included: " THE THING THAT SHOULD NEVER BE " , " BLEEDING ME " , " CREEPING DEATH ," " DAMAGE INC. ," and " SANITARIUM ."
No Metallica set wouldn't be complete without " MASTER OF PUPPETS," and " NOTHING ELSE MATTERS " done live the way that song was originally written on the record, smooth yet sensational to a lover or rock ballads. I mentioned that Metallica holds the record with the pyrotechnics indeed. Closing out their show in Philadelphia with everyone’s ultimate classic “ONE ", with visual effects not mentioning a row of bombs going off around the stage in the intro of the song itself. Yeah a song is a song but when you have this magnitude with effects like that, it’s basically a no holds bared surprise in the show for the fans.
Metallica and Godsmack conquered Philadelphia once again in 2004
