Metallica Live at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California - July 13, 2003
Metallica Live
21 Feb 09:00 PM
Until 21 Feb, 11:45 PM 2h 45m

Metallica Live at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California - July 13, 2003

MetalMania Live
Organized by MetalMania Live
Performers

On October 18, 1982, Metallica performed at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California. This show holds historical significance as it was one of the earlier performances of Metallica's raw, unrefined thrash sound, with a setlist featuring several early classics that would become staples of their repertoire.

The Old Waldorf Setlist:

  1. Hit the Lights
    The opening track from Kill 'Em All, this song was the perfect start to the show, introducing the audience to Metallica's high-energy thrash style. The song was fast, aggressive, and filled with youthful energy, setting the tone for the entire night.
  2. The Mechanix
    Originally written by Dave Mustaine before his departure from the band, this song would eventually evolve into "Four Horsemen" on Kill 'Em All. The version performed at this show was still largely in the form it had when Mustaine was a part of the band, with its choppy rhythms and sharp riffs.
  3. Phantom Lord
    One of the deeper cuts from Kill 'Em All, "Phantom Lord" was a crowd favorite with its fast, galloping riff and its dark, heavy atmosphere. It was a prime example of the band's early songwriting style.
  4. Jump in the Fire
    From Kill 'Em All as well, this song added another layer to Metallica's ever-growing setlist. With its catchy chorus and relentless speed, "Jump in the Fire" showed Metallica’s developing knack for combining melody with thrash.
  5. Motorbreath
    A fast-paced track from Kill 'Em All, "Motorbreath" was all about high-speed thrills. The song had a driving rhythm and a raw, aggressive tone, perfectly suited for the live setting.
  6. No Remorse
    A mid-tempo but crushingly heavy song from Kill 'Em All, "No Remorse" showcased the band's ability to incorporate elements of both speed metal and classic heavy metal, with a riff that stayed in the listener's head long after the song ended.
  7. Seek & Destroy
    One of Metallica's earliest anthems, "Seek & Destroy" quickly became a crowd favorite with its aggressive lyrics and memorable riff. The song was a clear representation of the band's signature sound: fast, powerful, and relentless.
  8. Metal Militia
    Closing out the set, "Metal Militia" from Kill 'Em All was the perfect way to end the night. The song embodied everything Metallica was about in those early days—fast tempos, intense riffs, and lyrics that celebrated the spirit of metal.

Legacy of the Show

This performance at the Old Waldorf was part of Metallica’s rise as one of the leading bands in the thrash metal scene, especially within the Bay Area. Their sound, as evident from this setlist, was still in its formative stages, but tracks like "Seek & Destroy" and "Metal Militia" would go on to define their career. Metallica’s intense, high-energy live shows were beginning to build a reputation, and this concert was an important moment in their journey from underground thrashers to international metal icons.

The show was a snapshot of a band still figuring out their sound, but with immense potential on full display. Fans who were lucky enough to witness this performance were some of the first to see Metallica's meteoric rise, which would culminate in them becoming one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time.

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