Before I get you too excited, let me first take you to the setting. As usual, who gets those amazing people to Abu Dhabi other than Flash Entertainment? We arrived rather late, after the gate was opened, but the opening band Anuryzm hadn’t start yet. Gosh! It was crowded. Only getting to the beverages was a hassle. Around 8:10 pm everything went pitch black, Anuryzm was announced on stage.

I’d seen those guys a year ago in the DRF 2013 edition, they had a really strong tune and I was eager to see them again. They performed songs from their first album ‘Worm’s Eye View’ and from their upcoming album ‘All is Not for All’; Full Agonist and Humanoid. The vocalist and the whole band peaked especially in this track and it would really make you want to hear more of their second album. The last track of their setlist Killing Time was incredibly intense and they ended their session powerfully. However, at some point the vocalist was too loud I wasn’t sure if the mic was too close to his mouth or it was some sound defect.

Anuryzm genuinely killed it, and you guys will need to check them out sooner or later! A decent crowd cheered them as they announced the end of their setlist and called the legendary Black Sabbath out! Can you even imagine how our hearts were bumping?

As they left, everyone went to refresh themselves as the humid was unbearable; we drank over 3 liters of water, the hot weather and the massive amount of people made it unbearable, but we couldn’t care less, it was the metal pioneers!

Just before it struck 9:30, it went dark, people screamed, fell down the Sabbath Curtain, and came the familiar sinister voice “I can hear you” and people went insane. They started off with War Pigs. As Ozzy sang “Generals gathered in their masses” thousands sang back “Just like witches at black masses”. Ozzy went “Evil minds that plot destruction” and thousands screamed their lungs out “Sorcerers of death’s construction”. That went on the first verse. The background screen had footage of all politicians worldwide. They blessed our ears with tracks from “Paranoid”, “Vol.4”, “Black Sabbath” and “13”.

Toni Lommi and Geezer Butler didn’t look to be in their 60’s at all. They were full of energy and their beats were steady! Every single person in the crowd knew the lyrics. Not only that, what caught my eye was the huge number of old fans who attended it. People in their late 40’s all up to the 60’s were still rocking and had the young rocker spirit.

Moving on a few of tracks in they moved to their “13” album Age of Reason. The drums intro was unmistakable, by the youngest member of Black Sabbath – and such an eye candy for the ladies – Tommy Clufetos. He killed those beats! A few tracks in, the unmistakable bass lines of N.I.B started and everyone was eager to sing along. As soon as Tomi started the first riff, every single person in the Du Arena went “Oh yeah!” even before Ozzy did.
Rat Salad and Supernaut were both mingled in one track, then the hottest thing on Earth happened. Tommy Clufetos – that mammia mia – did the best drum solo anyone could ever hear. I wasn’t really into drums, but hell yea now I am! He maintained his steadiness, and powerfulness through the entire set. He then moved to a two beat, and the crowd shouts “Hey”. Two more beats, and another “Hey”. The beats go faster, and the “Hey’s” are roared louder. All faster until he ends his forceful and dynamic drum solo. Sweaty, topless, and tattooed, I tell you women were all in heaven at the sight.
The band comes in from their break, and Toni starts the track everyone was waiting for Iron Man. Now, I don’t have to be redundant saying how insane everyone went, with that mighty mosh-pits and thousands of horns up piercing the air around me.

They ended their amazing set-list with Children of the Grave and everything went dark and quite. Whispers started to rise, were they gonna end without their masterpiece Paranoid? Ozzy yelled from the darkness “If you people go crazy for me, I’ll give you one more song” Yes, everyone went bananas. Toni again starts with the unquestionable riffs of Paranoid. At this point, you can slightly hear Ozzy now, his voice was covered by thousands singing the lyrics along.

Osbourne has a great, friendly and with a humble attitude on stage, he went on “I love you” and “God bless you” between the tracks. After Paranoid he thanks everyone for being here and ended with “Drive home safely” How cute is that?

Although we were sure this time that was the end of the spectacular show, we still waited for something more. It was a great experience, whether you’ve heard a few albums for Black Sabbath or even a diehard fan- the legends, being in their 60’s, can still put on a great show. We’re lucky.

Thousands of people were wearing Metallica t-shirts and waiting at the gate. Again, Flash Entertainment impresses me with their organization and disciplines. EYE, a progressive rock band, was the opening act for Metallica. Although I’d expected an awesome show from them, since I saw them two years ago opening for Anathema, they failed me. Their music wasn’t as good as I expected. The only attention-grabber was when the vocalist sang through a megaphone, which was interesting. The vocalist tried to tease the audience with jokes but all the people around me were poker-faced.

About an hour after EYE left the stage Metallica showed up with Hit the lights. I don’t really need to elaborate how crazy people went. I was smashed between 30,000 people head banging and mosh pitting. I wasn’t a huge fan of James Hetfield but he was incredibly funny on stage, saying how they liked being in Abu Dhabi once more! Without saying what their next track was, they started Master of Puppets, it doesn’t need a genius to say what the track was! Metallica performed 18 different tracks from various albums. You can find the complete set list here.

When people used to tell me how Kirk Hammett abuses the wah-wah pedal, I didn’t pay attention to them. But now that I was there, I got the point. He barely moved from his place, while Hetfield and Trujillo were jumping all over the stage.

People were mosh-pitting like crazy on Harvester of Sorrow, then The Unforgiven started and somehow – we don’t know how that happened – the whole general admission turned into couples that were hugging, and lighters in the air. But over 30,000 people singing definitely gave me the chills.
Metallica played some of their heaviest tracks in between, the atmosphere was rocking and the weather was humid! James said a few jokes every now and then, and Lars Ulrich was such an ass! I was a huge fan, but he had a bad attitude on stage. Why Lars? Why?!

Fade to Black was beautifully played and beautifully displayed. The screens showed them in black and white and shifted smoothly between them. Orion came after and Kirk and James exchanged solos. One literally made the whole crowd lose control. Everyone was having a blast and enjoying singing and head banging until that one moment. Nothing Else Matters beautifully started and everyone was cheering, when Kirk slipped. Everyone was shocked, but James saved the moment with his sense of humor “Kirk is too old to play his song, let’s cheer him up everyone!” And fortunately regained grip!

It was only 11:30 when James announced it’s almost over – Are you kidding me? – It didn’t even feel close to midnight! However, they entertained us with their final encore tracks that included Creeping Death, Fight Fire With Fire and finally Seek and Destroy.

Before they left, James, Lars and Robert threw lots of picks on their audience and Lars threw drumsticks. Obviously, only the people who were standing in the front got them. No, I’m not upset or anything.

It was an amazing concert. It might not have been the most perfect concert that I attend professionally, but hey! I saw Metallica live!