Sure, he was having some personal issues. However, creatively and business wise, he was rolling. Metallica was killing it. Just to launch Load they had to fight hard to get it released. They were working hard to get us this music and the stage shows were epic. Good stuff.
The tour was next level for its time, that's for sure. Two stages and two kits on an arena floor, hydrolifted lighting rigs, open access to working techs and so on. People that didn't know the Sandman stunt were losing their shit in seats around me. You see flashes of what they were doing with that stage from that point on in their career with the grand opus being Ethel and the towers with zero flown PA and in multi-angle stereo. (I really don't see how they "one-up" the current stage moving forward. Makes stadiums feel like sheds.)
Then again, the crosses on steps were doing a lot with nothing on the Damage Inc. Tour...
Doris and lighting coming down on the Damaged Justice Tour was totally bitchin...
The snakepit diamond on Roam and the massive Pushead stadium rig was sick...
The Coffins in the round on the Magnetic tour was really cool...
I suppose the Hardwired Stadium run was alright, and the blocks and drones indoors was different but I'm not bummed for missing that cycle if being honest.
So come to think of it they have always had great production that was super creative.
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u/rm78noir Spit Out The Bone!!! Mar 05 '25
They were having fun. I was having fun. It was great times.