I listen to classical, jazz and blues now, but I grew up in the eighties as a dyed in the leather metal head. There is something about the sturm and drang of crunching guitar riffs, heavy bass and drums and screaming vocals that make me want to shake my head and extend my hand with the outer two fingers extended and middle fingers to my thumb.

My favorite heavy metal band since I first heard Ride the Lightning has been Metallica. I have seen them live in concert four times, and I am glad to say that Cunning Stunts does a great job of capturing a live show from Fort Worth Texas on May 9-10, 1997. I have seen the band live for the ...and Justice for All Tour, the "Black" tour, with Monsters of Rock and with Guns n' Roses so I am quite familiar with how this band sounds live in concert. Now thanks to a home on a private road, and a pretty decent surround sound system, I can enjoy the metal that is Metallica in the privacy of my own living room as it is meant to be listened to. That is... LOUD Concert Level LOUD.

Disc One Songs / Performance

This set begins with the [some lyrics may be inappropriate for children] song So What I won't quote them here, but Metallica fans know what I'm talking about. A rousing rendition of Creeping Death follows, telling the story of one of the biblical plagues. Sad But True is next from the "Black" album, then the band goes back to their garage days again for Ain't My 8itch (featuring multiple camera angles) and then the slower Hero of the Day.

The stage is a huge array of catwalks in the middle of the arena, with several lucky fans in what is known as the "snake pit". Overhead, concert lighting rigs move about lighting the band.

Agressive bass lines pierce the smoke filled air for King Nothing, however that doesn't even compare to the carnage and bloodshd that starts One My whole living room shook as gunfire and explosions exploded all around me. The screen then turned almost black, and only lighters could be seen as the ominous and melancholy guitar solos penetrate the heavy drumming. Soon seizure inducing strobelights flash as the song picks up speed and more explosions rent my living room. Hammet soloes on an insane looking black graffiti filled Ibanez. Urich sits wearing only his shorts slamming into his Tama double bass drum kit, looking angry enough to bite the heads off people downloading free MP3s.

After One Hetfield asks who has seen the band before, and most raise their hands. The band then performs Fuel from their as of then unreleased album RE-Load I wasn't as impressed with this song, but then again, I wasn't as enamoured with the Metallica of Load, Reload and St. Anger as I have always been with Kill Em All to the "Black" album. However, I digress, the required solos come next with a great bass solo from Jason Newsted first. You know that I will tell you I think Burton was better, but he does a good job. Hammett then comes in with his guitar solo that turns into the opening of Nothing Else Matters to the delight of the crowd. Another cut from the "Black" album is played Until It Sleeps, but then the band goes back to Ride the Lightning with a great performance of For Whom the Bell Tolls. It is in this song that Hammett gets to deliver his screeching guitar solo.

The solo turns into Wherever I may Roam. The concert lighting rigs move about, looking like killer robotic flying machines from Cameron's Terminator movies. One of my personal favorite Metallica tunes was next, Fade to Black. Hammet is impressive, using his black Gibson Les Paul on this song. I love the songs that start slow and melodic then slowly build and build until exploding in a frenzied climax.

Disc One ends with a rapid fire medley from the bands first two full length albums Kill Em All and Ride the Lightning Ride the Lighting/No Remorse/Hit the Lights/The Four Horsemen/Seek and Destroy and Fight Fire with Fire are in the medley. James put down his Explorer and brought out a Flaming V guitar. Yes, I know the term is Flying V, but this thing was jet black with bright yellow flames along the body and the headstock. He quizzed the audience on their early Metallica knowledge and ability to sing along loudly before launching into the medley.

This was already a solid 100 minutes of pure Metallica, but there was also

Disc Two - the Rest of the Concert and Lots of Extras!

The concert continues with Last Caress, Master of Puppets, Enter Sandman and Am I Evil? (based on classical composer Gustav Holst Mars Bringer of War from The Planets). During Evil, we also get to see Hammett play his translucent wave filled Telecaster, quite an interesting guitar.

The concert ends with Motorbreath and complete chaos. As it did when I saw the "black" album tour, the entire set falls apart in the end, lights crashing, explosions, and falling lighting men. All in all, another 40 minutes of concert are on disc two!

The extras are a full smorgasbord of Metallica extras, including band interviews, roadie interviews and info on the guitars, the gear, the tour, the band and most anything else you might want to know.

I was especially interested in the special on Kirk Hammets guitars which was quite interesting. It included a guitar full of a blue gel that floats inside like a wave toy, a guitar with a Ouja board on it, and another with the graphics from a Boris Karloff Mummy movie poster. Of course he also had several vintage Les Pauls.

We also learn that the complete chaos that ends the show is actually very carefully choreographed. There is a whole segment on the "burning man" who appears to be on fire in the finale of the show. Well, actually he IS on fire, it is a dangerous stunt pulled off with fire retardant suits and careful timimg.


Video Quality

When the lights are on, video is sharp and clear. This is a 4:3 presentation, but it is certainly DVD quality footage. However, because it is a concert, the lighting isn't always great, so the band often appears in blues and greys. Anyone looking to copy one of Hammetts licks would be out of luck watching this video. Often times, the band members appeared to be in shadows.

Audio Quality

The show is offered in PCM stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, but no DTS track is offered. I listened to the Surround mix, which gives the solid impression of an arena rock show. A wall of sound slams you from the front, and the low bass throbs in your chest and shakes you in your seat. The sound on these discs really is impressive, the surround mix really gave me that arena rock feel without the beer being spilled on me by the guy behind me.

The Band

Metallica is
James Hetfield vocals rhythm guitar
Kirk Hammett lead guitar
Jason Newsted Bass guitar
Lars Urich Drums

Summary

If you want the live Metallica experience, fire up your home audio system, throw in this DVD set, turn your sub up, turn your amp up and put on your best black concert T shirt and get your air guitar tuned to rock out.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older