What happens when a heavy metal rock band and an orchestra are on stage at the same time? Well, most people would think that it would the biggest clash of musical worlds that they've heard. However, those people haven't heard the concert that metal legends Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony performed at the Berkley Theatre in Berkley, California. The show, in the eyes of few, was going to turn out to be a disaster, but it was destined for greatness.
The show opened with a full view of the symphony on stage. Soon there after, conductor Michael Kamen entered and the magical night began with Metallica's intro performed by the symphony. The orchestra was soon joined by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Jason Newsted, the four guys who were taking a risk and putting their reputations on the line. If the show was not a success, Metallica would be added to the list of failed acts that performed with a symphony. However, the guys didn't have to worry about a single thing. They hit note after note, the way they were written and the symphony roared on beside them. Neither Metallica or Kamen and his symphony overpowered each other; thus it created a naturally smooth flowing and sounding concert.
What was unique about this show was seeing the fast-paced electric guitar work and the slower-paced instrumental rhythms racing to the end of "older" songs. The band was determined to play songs that ranged from brand new material back to their rebellious early 1980's style. The symphony helps song
s like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Master of Puppets" soar to new heights that had never been experienced before. While songs like "Hero of the Day" and "The Outlaw Torn" were simply amazing, thanks in part to the unique input of the orchestra. Lyric after lyric, song after song, the S&M concert was a huge success and it will always be remembered as a historic night featuring the true icons of the music industry.
You can relive this magical night by picking up a copy of the concert. The CD is great, however, if you want to experience the concert like the fans at the Berkley Theatre did, I would suggest purchasing the DVD. It is phenomenal. It's worth every penny you spend. Whether it is the clarity of the audio and video, or if it's the unbelievable camera work, you will not be able to turn away from this show. It was truly for the annals of time.
