Metallica

Kirk Hammett is currently in his trusty VW camper, toodling along a Hawaiian road, eyeing the surf and knowing he is fully prepared for whatever might need to go down in the next few hours (he maintains a stash of gear for various activities). To that extent, asking him to cast his mind back over three decades ago could well be asking a lot. But Kirk is always able to slip effortlessly into whatever conversational mode is required, and within minutes we find ourselves reflecting on all things Justice with the Hawaiian scenery temporarily forgotten.

This leg has been something else for me. Many good times, many smiles, many unexpected things as well. I look at pictures now, and I think that both today and 20 years from now, those pictures and memories will be something very special, a once in a lifetime opportunity we got to take and enjoy with family.

I arrived in the driveway Thursday morning. I sat in the car, trying to wrap my head around the events of the previous three weeks. In many ways, it seemed like a dream… a glorious dream. I had driven nearly 7,000 miles on a path that spanned fourteen states, nine of which I had not previously visited.

No matter how many times I see the band play “One” I am always mesmerized at how one band can transform and dominate an arena of this size. The bombs and machine gun fire at the beginning, followed by James’ beautiful clean intro, with Kirk adding the slow solos that can give anyone goosebumps.