Concert preview: Metallica at the American Airlines Center (September 29)

by Justin Press of Justin Press: Dallas Rock Music Examiner

Metallica w/Lamb of God and Gojira at American Airlines Center -- September 29

Somewhat of a no-brainer to attend this one -- you’re either on board or you’re not. Good chance that if you felt that Death Magnetic was a return to form of sorts for the band, then I am sure you’re already in the door. If you felt it was another slide down the mountain of despair for the band, then you wrote them off in 1992. However, for those that feel it’s cool for artists to expand their palate and figure out the road along the way by trying new things, tinkering, and eventually realizing what your strong suit was, then the transitional period for the band since And Justice For All was a welcome one, because eventually we all return home. What makes a being in a band any different from any other aspect of life? We are all allowed to grow and find our horizons or we risk never changing and maturing. You can’t be 18 forever, but you can hold true to your origins without sacrificing your need to develop. Metallica for some is life, and like life, they have continued to had to endure, push forward, languish, flourish, and find their true selves again. So blow the dust off those Ride The Lightning and Master of Puppets albums baby, because Metallica is still delivering “Metal Up Your Ass!”

Lamb of God is the heir to the Pantera crown of groove-oriented metal that continues to win the masses over, as they have become true road dogs. Their latest Wrath took a slight turn from the churning metal of prior records and found the band channeling their inner hardcore roots. Furious, spirited, and honest, Lamb of God is the one American band that can truly carry the “black flag of rebellion” for years to come.

France’s Gojira is the lesser evil twin of Sweden’s Meshuggah, as brutish rhythms are harnessed to technical guitar runs that sound like machine fire in a cement room. Their mathematical metal formulas are a welcome retreat from the dumbing down syndrome that hard rock and metal seem to be infected by at times. An absolute must for fans of the aforementioned Meshuggah and all the other Swedes producing quasi-science skull crushing.