Metallica was ready to rock once again — although certainly not in the way that fans have been accustomed to hearing over the decades.
It would be a little more quiet on this occasion as the biggest Bay Area band of all time — as well as the most successful group in heavy metal history — unplugged for its second annual acoustic fundraiser in support of Metallica’s own All Within My Hands charity.
And, of course, there weren’t actually any fans in attendance — at least physically speaking — at this follow-up to the first benefit, which was held at the Masonic in San Francisco back in 2018. Instead, this was a live-streamed gig from the band’s headquarters in San Rafael.
Yet, the result was still the same:
Metallica triumphed.
Kicking off with the new version of “Blackened” — dubbed “Blackened 2020,” which the band debuted via a socially distanced performance back in May — Metallica began transforming its usually thunderous, stadium-sized material into something a bit more soft-spoken and intimate, but still so fulfilling.
It was a far cry from James Taylor, of course, as the group found ways to work within the semi-acoustic format to crank up the rock. Usually, it involved heavily showcasing Kirk Hammett’s guitar heroics, which again proved to be as impressive in this realm as they are during a fully-charged stadium show.
That was certainly the case during “Creeping Death,” the “Ride the Lightning” favorite that balanced an overall softer, folksy approach with a firmly biting solo from Hammett.
The group performed in front of walls that contained dozens of video screens, each containing fans from around the globe — from Palo Alto and Germany to Japan and beyond. They had all tuned in to rock out while supporting All Within My Hands (www.allwithinmyhands.org), which works in support of disaster relief, education, providing food to those in need and other worthwhile endeavors.
“Metallica doesn’t do anything halfway. This is an example of that.” Hammett said of All Within My Hands prior to the start of the concert. “We’ve helped so many people through our music. Now we want to help in a different way.”
The band members took time between the songs to talk with fans, pointing out certain things — like a Brazilian flag or even a feathered friend — they’d see on the video screens.
“Somebody brought their bird,” vocalist James Hetfield remarked. “That’s awesome.”
At one point, somebody from one of the video screens yelled out to ask the band how it felt to be back playing together.
“It feels awesome to be playing,” Hetfield answered. “Not sure how it sounds. But it feels great.”
Oh, it sounded great, too, as the band continued through a mesmerizing version of “The Unforgiven,” which hails from the group’s blockbuster 1991 eponymous affair (commonly referred to as “The Black Album”), as well as a groovy update on “Now That We’re Dead” from the most recent studio outing, 2016’s “Hardwired … to Self-Destruct.”
Hammett, as per usual, provided the lion’s share of the highlights. But Hetfield’s vocals and rhythm guitar work (and occasional lead) were excellent. Bassist Robert Trujillo, looking smart in an always-fashionable Black Sabbath T-shirt, was in top form.
Then there’s Lars Ulrich, who used the opportunity to once again illustrate why he deserves to be rated among the best in the business — even though some remain so reluctant to rate him as such. For instance, it’s nearly inconceivable how Ulrich — whose influence stretches so far and wide — did not make Rolling Stone magazine’s list of top 100 drummers.
(Oh, well, I guess Ulrich will have to be content with being an architect of one of the most important bands ever and changing the very face of music.)
Just like at the first All Within My Hands benefit, Metallica would lean on cover songs during this show. The group included three covers, including a repeat from the first benefit — Deep Purple’s “When a Blind Man Cries.”
“Deep Purple was my first concert back in 1562.” Ulrich joked at the end of “When a Blind Man Cries.” “Hearing James sing it was so (expletive) awesome. So thanks for indulging us.”
The group also delivered a solid take on “The House of the Rising Sun,” the traditional folk tune that the Animals took to the top of the singles charts (in both the U.S. and U.K.) in 1964. And they borrowed from the catalog of one of the best songwriters of all time — Bob Seger — for the band’s popular take on the timeless tour journal “Turn the Page.” (Read what Seger thinks of Metallica’s version of “Turn the Page” here.)
Metallica ended the first set with the charity’s namesake — “All Within My Hands” from 2003’s unfairly maligned “St. Anger” — and featured accompaniment on percussion from Ulrich’s son Layne and Hetfield’s son Castor. (Guest musicians Avi Vinocur and Henry Salvia also performed during the show.)
After a quick commercial break — a word from the sponsors, Salesforce — Metallica returned to the stage.
“Just had to go get a shot of Geritol,” says Ulrich, who often makes age-related jokes at the band’s own expense.
The second set was quite different than the first, as the group eschewed the acoustic setting in favor of a more electric approach.
“We are going metal,” Hetfield says. “Let’s play heavy.”
That turned out to be a terrific decision, as the group took the show to even greater heights as it kicked open the nightcap with a thundering version of “Disposable Heroes” from 1986’s “Master of Puppets.”
Then they pulled out a deep cut — if, indeed, there is such a thing as a “deep cut” for a band that has sold 110 million albums — as they tackled “Wasting My Hate.” Most would have a hard time remembering the last time Metallica played that number from 1996’s “Load.”
Fortunately, Ulrich would remind us, saying that the last live performance of “Wasting My Hate” came during the band’s 30th anniversary run at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 2011.
The band brought the 14-song, roughly two-hour-long concert to a close with a mighty double shot of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Enter Sandman” and then left the stage with the hope of seeing these fans — in person — down the road someday.
“Thank you for supporting All Within My Hands and, even more importantly, thank you for supporting Metallica through thick and thin,” Ulrich says. “We love you. We can’t wait to see you in all corners of the world as soon as possible.”
The show is still currently available for viewing online at nugs.net.
Set list:
1. “Blackened 2020”
2. “Creeping Death”
3. “When a Blind Man Cries” (Deep Purple cover)
4. “The Unforgiven”
5. “Now That We’re Dead”
6. “Turn the Page” (Bob Seger cover)
7. “Nothing Else Matters”
8. “All Within My Hands”
(Set break)
9. “Disposable Heroes”
10. “The House of the Rising Sun” (cover, traditional)
11. “Wasting My Hate”
12. “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
13. “Master of Puppets”
14. “Enter Sandman”
