I shot the Seattle stop of Metallica’s Magnetic Death tour last night and holy crap do they put on an incredible show.  The huge stage was plopped in the center of the stadium and we were given free range to roam its perimeter for 19 minutes.  Yes, their first three songs lasted a full 19 minutes.  That’s like two thirds of a local indie rock show!  We were treated to laserbeams, blinding spotlights and lit coffins that descended from the ceiling, hovering around the band like spaceships.  There were microphones in every corner and three additional on each long side of the rectangular stage.  James would come to one for a verse then stomp over to the other side of the stage.  Each band member would move to a different position every 30 seconds or so, often just as we’d reach their corner to shoot.  They’d cross this way, then that way. Then that way, and this way.  Have you ever seen a metal band cross this way and that?  (forgive me. i couldn’t help myself).  We must have looked ridiculous.  5 lost photographers chasing the band around the stage.  I felt like a slimy backpacking paparazzi.  Regardless, the show was unforgettable.

Memories of AC/DC are firmly rooted in my early adolescence.  Back in Black became the soundtrack to junior high when a friend received the tape as a gift at one of those rare boy-girl basement / parents stayed upstairs birthday parties.  The play button clicked as I sat on the outside edge of a spin the bottle game.  When You Shook Me All Night Long came on we had already moved onto 7 Minutes in Heaven.  I decided it was my favorite song since it was track number 7, 7 was my favorite number and Dawn and Rich were wrapping up their 7th minute in the closet.

Last night was my first (and maybe my last if the rumors are true) time seeing them live.  The last of the three songs us photogs are permitted to shoot was Back in Black.  My mouth sang along as my eye was glued to the camera eyepiece.  I have to remember to wipe those smudge marks from my LCD!

The Seattle Weekly has the full slideshow of images, including some of dedicated fans who boldly let me turn the lens on them.

Tonight it’s Metalicca at Key Arena!