My brother Christopher and I went to see Metallica, with Godsmack opening, in Louisville, KY, which is about 3 hours from where we live.

Godsmack opened with a rocking set.

I’ve been a fan of theirs since their first album was released in 1998.

Singer Sully Erna, Guitarist Tony Rombola, Bassist Robbie Merrill, and Drummer Shannon Larkin are always solid as a rock.

As I type this in 2023, I’ve seen them 3 times and they’re one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen.

The albums have always been consistently good too.

I can’t say enough about them.

But the main event was coming up:  Metallica!!

I was late to them, becoming a fan in 1998, but have now been a fan for 25 years.

I love most of their albums, and even the ones I don’t love I really like.

Strangely, though, this has been the only time I’ve ever seen them.

It’s not been a lack of desire.  I’ve just been busy seeing so many other shows.

But that’s OK.

This was a great show.

Metallica played a lot of songs from almost every album they had released up to this point (St. Anger was the latest at the time.  A lot of people don’t like this album, but I love it).

Singer/Guitarist James Hetfield, Drummer Lars Ulrich, Guitarist Kirk Hammett, and then new Bassist Robert Trujillo (in the band 20 years as I type this) are one of the best live bands around.

Regardless of what you think about them on album, they always deliver in concert.

So tight, well rehearsed, and they always give you bang for your buck.

They’re one of the biggest bands ever.

I’ll always be a fan.