Metallica 'Kill 'Em' at Bonnaroo

Chris Rock introduced Metallica as "the baddest rock 'n' roll band in the world" for their Friday night headlining set at Bonnaroo 2008. Coming on with 'Creeping Death,' and playing through the songbook, including classics like 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' 'And Justice for All,' 'The Unforgiven,' 'Master of Puppets' and 'Harvester of Sorrow.' Metallica answered the question, "But can they win Bonnaroo?" with a unanimous, "Hell yes."

Playing in front of an audience more used to noodle dancing than stage diving, frontman James Hetfield asked the crowd for a show of hands for how many people were seeing the band for the first time. The vast majority raised their hands, er, fists. "We love that," said Hetfield. "We thank you for having us at your festival. We're glad to be here and we support live music. That's why we're here."

After running through hit after hit, the band launched into 'Fade to Black,' a tune that was once accused of encouraging teen suicide. Almost paralleling the harmonious contrast between Metallica and Bonnaroo at large, in the middle of the tune, Hetfield asked, "Bonnaroo, are you alive? How does it feel to be alive?" The response, like the band, was greeted with enthusiastic cheers.

Yet, we couldn't help but notice, that in the back of the field were a lot of dazed and confused hippies. None-the-less, when Hetfield asked the crowd if they wanted to hear older material, chants of 'Kill 'em All' broke out. 'Kill 'em All?' asked Hetfield, surprised. 'Nobody has that album.' Metallica then launched into 'No Remorse.' That sentiment could be said all around, for sure.