(i am incapable of taking a straight picture)
This show!
The open air on the water vibe of the Jones Beach Amphitheater combined with METAL!
I'm pretty sure this is the first show with top to bottom repeats. This was my third time seeing Metallica (i think i would go on to see them only twice more.), my third time seeing Danzig (i would go on to see them/him countless times, actually i'm still waiting for the 25th anniversary show announcement for nyc), and my second time seeing Suicidal (i would see them a week later and then not again till like two weeks ago.). So i was familiar with everyone and knew exactly what to expect. Then i had all of those expectations blown away.
Suicidal played a quick intense set, totally ignoring the fact that the amphitheater was less than half full, with a ton of people just chilling in the parking lot. The parking lot i'm pretty sure you can see from the stage. Mike was crazy and full of energy, taking full advantage of the giant stage. This was suicidal with both Trujillo and Rocky, classic lineup.
Danzig. Danzig in 1994. Danzig at the absolute peak of their popularity. The re-release of 'Mother' from the Thrall:Demonsweatlive EP was still in ridiculously heavy rotation on mtv and on the radio. This was the last go around for the original Glenn/Christ/Eerie/Biscuits lineup. The amphitheater was mostly full by the time they took the stage, as they were quite the draw at the time. A ten or eleven song 40 ish minute set that was all hits, opening with 'Brand New God' which was at the time a new song from their forthcoming record, 4P. Performing 'Mother' smack in the middle of the set as opposed to the tradition of closing out the set with the biggest song, came as no surprise as Glenn, the non-conformist, is actually quite predictable. The crowd was alive and headbanging the entire time (the fully seated venue was kind of a downer, but the atmosphere of the beach almost always makes up for it), singing along with most of the songs, but obviously 'Mother' was the moment. The biggest surprise was the fact that Danzig, the opening act, came out for an encore. Yep, he's that much of a dick.
The amphitheater was filled to the brim. The parking lot was full of people who couldn't get in. You could see the stars, you could see the stars reflecting in the water around the stage. The intro music hits, the people go crazy, Metallica takes their places, and BANG open with fucking "Breadfan." This was Metallica having fun. This was their "we're stir crazy in the studio and just need to get out on the road" tour. This was before all the psychiatrists and all the "coping with success" nonsense. They had released a monster record, toured the world, achieved more than any of their contemporaries, and were working on the follow up. This was their break. The set was a good balance from all the records (they played 'disposable heroes'!!) and they genuinely looked like they were having fun. Maybe it was the last time they had fun. It was all disappointment and over-thinking for the band from here on out.
Top to bottom an excellent show, metal head matt loved it, hardcore kid matt was still in his infancy...but he would be breaking out soon...three months or so from this show...
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