For the third year now, the legendary group has been traveling with concerts in support of the Hardwired album ... To Self Destruct: in 2017 and 2018 these were indoor concerts, but in 2019 Metallica decided to hold a massive world arena tour with a succession of open-airs on different continents.
On July 16, our bus tour to the Metallica concert started: 50 people punctually arrived at the appointed place by 6-30 am and with the first birds drove to the Finnish border, which, fortunately, made us wait, but did not spoil the overall timing. Moreover, while waiting in line, we recalled Broom's complete discography, and some even found their own covers in the bowels of smartphones.
At about 4 pm we drove into the town of Hämeenlinna, where a grand concert was to take place.
“Guys, I'm sorry, but the name of the city was too difficult for me. I taught him for a long time, - James Hetfield later admitted from the stage, - We Americans are not used to such long words ... "
The place familiar from AC / DC concerts greeted us rather harshly: the wind and downpour drove us to the nearest supermarket, where on occasion there were raincoats, which were happily bought by fans in Metallica T-shirts.
Taking also cider, which brightened up the travel time, we went to the site - a walk 3 km long passed unnoticed, because the company was quite fun. As we approached Kantola Park, which was already open to spectators, crowds of concert "pilgrims" were drawn to us. Moreover, all this mass of people in dark clothes and raincoats with a hood really resembled a kind of cult. “Witnesses of the Metallica concert in Hämeenlinna” - we joked as we approached the main entrance queue, which stretched for tens of meters.
After huddling for some time with the audience in line, we got to the concert area. To be honest, we decided to skip the Bocassa concert, which “warmed up” the audience, and went to find out the prices in the bar. As we understood, most of the visitors were doing the same. After seeing strong shots for 10 euros, we quickly retreated towards some hill on the outskirts of the park, which was already covered with representatives of the Metallica Family, who lay there like seals.
After a 9 hour drive, we followed suit. But we weren't enough for a long time, because the next artists - the Ghost group - we wanted to see.
And these Swedish guys really amused us - a gothic backdrop with stained-glass windows, musicians in silver masks of devils, the Pope with a saxophone and the general grotesque performances brought the crowd (as far as was possible in Finland) and the next 45 minutes, waiting for Metallica, flew by completely unnoticed.
The only drawback of the beginning of the main show was the white Finnish night - the darkness did not think to rush, and the giant screens brought by the group were designed so that in daylight you could see the entire structure from the inside and even the technicians who crawled over it during the concert. But who will look there when Papa Het and friends are on stage! Fatty reefaks creeped through, and you knew 1000% that you were on some legendary show! This is not the first time at their concert, and every time I want to carry their sound people in my arms!
The constant change of points by the musicians was also an excellent find - wherever you were, there was always a composition that one of the musicians played in front of you. And even Lars appeared at the forefront of the stage with a second drum kit - all thought out for the fans.
In addition to the excellent set list, we were also pleased with the good mood of Hetfil, who constantly joked and flirted with the audience and felt the general brotherly atmosphere in the group. And even if this is done solely for the show and promo photos, they do the job admirably.
To the cult Nothing Else Matters, tens of thousands of fans turned on their flashlights, and next to us someone began to exude "the smell of Amsterdam" - obviously, he was preparing for this very track. It's funny, however, that the Finnish public, nevertheless, is very stingy with emotions - even at the final Enter Sandman, only our compatriots jumped, and the Finns raised their hands just to hold their gadget in them and shoot another story. It may be good that you are not pressed and your bones are not broken, but somehow you want the audience to be more active. God, this is METALLICA itself, what are you talking about!
It all ended with fireworks and the throwing of picks, and after the artists left the stage, the whole crowd looked like little cows desperately nibbling the grass - everyone hoped to find a pick or two, lost at the bumpers.
After jostling in a giant human traffic jam, we walked back to the bus. Although there were a couple of people who lost their orientation in space from happiness. We navigated them by phone for an hour, and then successfully caught them on the bus. It happens to anyone ... Maybe they were influenced by the lunar eclipse, which, by the way, could be perfectly observed in the evening after the concert.
Summary: the trip was heartfelt, the weather could not spoil the impressions of the concert, the grass in Kantola Park is soft, alcohol is expensive, and we will be glad to see people who went with us to this musical event on other trips - definitely! Well, and Metallica - for me personally, it has again confirmed the status of legendary musicians and secured the first line in my personal rating of live concerts!
