“Whaaaaat, that is the round table? It’s too small… it isn’t round… how are we meant to sit around that?!” chuckles Lars Ulrich as he surveys the small, four-legged cup holder about two feet off the floor that serves two small sofas in the corner of the band’s backstage Lisbon dining room. Truth be told, I’m delighted to get the four members of Metallica around any sort of table for one of these chinwags once again.

The first annual Cliff Burton Day was celebrated at an event in Castro Valley, CA. Brian Lew – who has seen it all with Metallica – reports and Ray Ahner snaps some pix.

“You all know Cliff Burton over here. Everyone say ‘Hi Cliff! How ya doin’!’”

Our journey together has been long, and it continued with the next stop for me: Mannheim.

Since my first gig in Dusseldorf in 1993, I have had the opportunity to see Metallica again and again, depending on holiday time permitted, bank account balance and health. And like so many Metalli-friends all over the world, I'm always still eagerly looking forward to the next gig – even after 25 years. Addicted to the flame.

Hell Yeahhhhh!!!

I’m Mauro Donadel, Chapter Head of the Trapped Under Venice Local Chapter From Italy, and I'm going take you with me to this Italian’s experience of the February 14th Concert in Bologna in Italy!

Here I am in Bologna, two days after the Turin show (when Lars took my banner, the "Cliff Burton Day" one published on Instagram by the drummer himself). It had been my 25th show since 1991, a personal achievement celebrated with being in the front row and harshly gained after 10 hours of chilling cold. But my energies came back and tiredness disappeared...I was now alive!

Ever since the dates for the WorldWired Tour were announced on the Metallica website, I knew that this gig would be “my gig,” taking place in my hometown (the last time Metallica played in Turin was September 1996) and most importantly, on Cliff's birthday. It made me smile and made sure it would be a special show for me, even though I have seen the boys 77 times so far [wow, very cool! – ED].

Seth Fromberg is Metallica’s Security Director, one of the most important jobs on WorldWired, especially in this day and age. He explains to Steffan Chirazi how he goes about his work.

I still remember when we got our tickets in March 2017 to follow the band during their three first shows (Lisbon and two nights in Madrid) of 2018. The wait was really, really long, but finally the time was here and our WorldWired Tour started with a great show in Lisbon and an amazing first night in Madrid. But what would happen with our last show? In short, BETTER, BETTER AND BETTER!

Steffan told me that this review should be around 300 words long, but this was my very first Metallica show and that’s impossible, so Lars… don’t get angry ’cause I like to talk a little bit too.

The backstage air crackled not with tension, anxiety, or rust...it crackled with laughter, smiles, and the energy of a gang which hasn’t had the chance to hang for a long time (nearly too long). You can be sure that Lars, James, Kirk, and Rob were seriously excited about being back together, having fun, and throwing down tunes in front of loud fans.

Rob Koenig has bathed Metallica in glorious illumination configurations for several years now, and the WorldWired Tour is the latest in a series of adventures on that road. Alongside video director Gene McAuliffe, he shines a light on some of the visual production details.

"I think what first drew me to Richey’s stuff is that it’s super detailed, like beyond detailed. And as an artist, when we get into our craft the world goes away and it’s like a tunnel vision or you just… you forget about everything. The clock stops. I mean time stops. And you’re into what you’re doing."

A pretty brilliant Zen-conversation with Hans Lundberg who blows shit up and sets fire to things for a living.

When you meet Chad Koehler, you meet a man who is friendly, polite, firm, and who it’s clear does not suffer fools at all. This is probably not surprising when you account for the fact that Chad’s work involves working at great heights with thin margins and multiple tons of weight. It is not a profession where fools can afford to be suffered; the consequences for slack or stupid behavior are far too great. In fact, it is not too big a stretch to say that Chad occupies one of the single most important positions on the WorldWired Tour – not that he will have any of it! To Chad, he is simply part of the WorldWired brotherhood, but So What! knows better. 

The last thing Justin Crew, Chad Zaemisch, and Jimmy Clark need is some busy-body with mics and cameras asking them questions when the gig is hours away. Cue Steffan Chirazi’s timely and welcome arrival (assisted by Brett Murray).

Finding hidden treasure requires knowledge, patience, a certain sense of OCD, and a next-level love of artifacts. Meet Dan Nykolayko.