This is not a Metallica blog. Just had to put that disclaimer out there, as I’ve been doing a lot of Metallica related posts, just because they are in the press so much lately. The band plays the Bonnaroo Festival today in Manchester,TN where they will probably “kill the festival” (according to esquire magazine).

Last night though, the band (with honorary 5th member - Lar’s Ulrich’s crappy sounding Tama Drum kit), played a surprise 175-capacity club show for fan club members and club employees.

The band played 9 songs as a warm up for tonights headlining show in front of an estimated 130,000 people, which will also be broadcast on the Fuse TV channel.

More info and video footage of the band’s small warm-up show can be found over at Billboard…

Source.

Around 2 weeks ago, listening parties were held for Metallica’s forthcoming, still untitled new album. Member’s of the music press were allowed in and permitted to write down their thoughts on the record, which a lot of people are calling a “return to form” and even praised, in various publications such as Kerrang! Metal Hammer and more.

The band, or the band’s management then instructed all of these publications/websites to take anything regarding Metallica’s new album down. This seemed to defeat the purpose of the listening parties and everyone wondered, why are Metallica retarded? Don’t they want people to get excited about their new album? Don’t they want coverage in the press?

Well now the band has responded, check it out here.

It turns out it was their management, who would’ve thunk it?

Since I’ve sort of been reporting on what’s been up with Metallica lately, here is some more news…

Drummer Lars Ulrich revealed last night at the band’s small sold-out performance at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, that the band will release it’s new album in September and a full scale tour will take place following the release in October.

Last night the band didn’t play any new songs, but did offer up a lot of old classics. Tickets for the sold-out show were priced at $200 and $500, with proceeds going to benefit Flea’s (of The Red Hot Chili Peppers) Music Conservatory in Los Angeles. Flea joined the band on bass for the song “Fight Fire With Fire” from the bands classic “Ride The Lightning” album. The concert was rumored to have netted around $300,000 for the conservatory.

Metallica is slated to headline Los Angeles radio-station Kroq’s annual “Weenie Roast” on May 17th followed by the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, TN on June 13th.

It seems obvious that the new Metallica will most likely suck. You can always hope though…

-Set List from the bands May 14th show in Los Angeles-

“The Ecstasy of Gold”
“Fuel”
“For Whom the Bell Tolls”
“Sanitarium”
“…And Justice For All”
“Sad But True”
“Disposable Heroes”
“One”
“Master of Puppets”
“Battery”
“Last Caress/Green Hell” (Misfits cover)
“No Remorse”
“Enter Sandman”
“Fight Fire with Fire”
“Seek and Destroy”

Source.

I mentioned this in my post about Metallica the other day. Many music sites and publications have been running stories on “Dave Grohl’s Open Letter to Metallica” or similar headlines. It turns out this wasn’t really true, as Dave himself has personally stated via FooFighters.com…

“Just wanted to write a quick note to clear up this whole “Open letter to Metallica” fiasco……For the record, I never “wrote” anything to Metallica. I was asked by a journalist, at the end of a long interview (abut the Foo Fighters) to give a quick message to Metallica in the studio. So, I rattled that quote off the top of my head. No biggie, right? Somehow it became my “open letter” to the band, and now it’s been picked up by everyone from Blabbermouth.com to Rolling Stone (as if anyone really cares!). Now, it’s true that I’ve been a loyal fan of this band for 25 years, and I can’t wait to hear the new shit, but an “open letter” to the band?!!?? Nah. Not my style. I’d rather just text ‘em……”

Turns out it’s just the media trying to drum up, (get it?) some controversy. Oh well…no Foo Fighters vs. Metallica feud yet…