Last December I had the most surreal experience of my life. Lars Ulrich from Metallica called my mobile.
I had reviewed the first Metallica show in Australia,
here on TheVine. I said it was great, but also that I thought Lars' "greatest nemesis was his younger self". And that at times he looked like "a gurning elf". I could only assume that he was now calling me to offer personal retribution.
How wrong I was. Lars loved the review, thought it was unique and insightful. (Subtext: Lars Ulrich reads TheVine!). And so, would I be interested in hanging out with the band the following week, as a "fly on the wall" guest of the band over the last four days of their two and a half year tour behind
Death Magnetic? A journey that, fortuitously for me, just happened to be finishing in my hometown of Melbourne. "Yes". I said to Lars.
The resulting 7000 word article I penned about the experience can't be printed here, unfortunately. It appears exclusively in the latest edition of the Metallica fan club magazine,
So What? (which, readers, you can sign up to receive in all its tangible glory at
metclub.com). It details my adventures and conversations over the four days I met the band and crew, sat in on each of the band's nightly pre-show rehearsals, walked out into Rod Laver Arena with the band at Lars' behest, watched the gigs from the sidelines, and, proudly, convinced Lars to come with me to Cherry Bar at 3am in the morning after their end of tour party. Plus so much more.
On the last night of the tour in Melbourne, before their very last
Death Magnetic show, which had spanned 45 countries and two and a half years, I followed Lars into his pre-show physio room to chat on record. After previously watching every Metallica member personally meet and greet twenty or so fan club member winners (something they each do before every single show), we discussed the end of the band's touring cycle, the fans and what happens now.
(Question and answers that appear in the So What?
article have been omitted).