Beyond Magnetic is another classic from Metallica. In fact, this four-song collection from the Death Magnetic sessions sees the band at their most vicious, vital, and vibrant. It's rough, raw, and righteous thrash from the greatest heavy metal band of all time.

One thing is clear in the midst of these shows, they are proof that some bands can age gracefully, still manage to surprise its fans and continue to show unabashed appreciation for continued loyalty.

Text messages like the one I got from a friend before the third Metallica show last week - "You are dead to me" - were exactly the reason I decided to go to all four of the Bay Area metal band's 30th anniversary concerts at the Fillmore.

Northern California hard-rock legends Metallica played four nights of special 30th-anniversary shows at The Fillmore last week, which surely were once-in-a-lifetime experiences for metal fans. Winner of nine Grammys, with five consecutive Billboard No. 1 albums, the 30-year-old band featured some special guests and surprises and took ticket prices back to 1981, too, at $6 each for a sold-out show.

After releasing Lulu to the poor reception that it's gotten from pretty much everyone, it's hard to not look at this release — a collection of B-sides that didn’t make the cut for their 2008 return-to-roots album Death Magnetic - as a very calculated and perfectly-timed bit of damage control. However, considering the quality of these songs, it's a great way to make up for their less-celebrated endeavors last month.

Robert Trujilo, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett of Metallica bid the crowd farewell at the conclusion of the final Metallica 30th Anniversary show at The Fillmore in San Francisco.

It's Metallica week by the Bay. And fans have come from all over the country to celebrate the occasion, which marks the group's 30th anniversary. They were drawn by the promise of seeing the Bay Area's most legendary (still active) band perform at the Bay Area's most legendary venue.