Precious metal

Metallica ripped through its library of hits and a few new cuts in a two-hour performance at Allstate Arena last night. The California foursome took the stage at about 9:15 for the second of two shows in suburban Chicago. Despite the dysfunction evident in the brilliant documentary "Some Kind of Monster," the band has aged pretty well. They took the stage all smiles and enjoyed themselves right through the whole set. Their energy is unbelievable for a bunch in their mid-40s.

The stage show was impressive--massive coffins hanging from the ceiling, black beach balls bouncing around, lasers and pyrotechnics. The evening culminated with the band playing one of its old face-melters with the house lights on--the bloodshot-eyed crowd in full display. As noted by the Tribune's Greg Kot, the band has actually allowed its bassist to be heard--former Suicidal Tendencies bassist Robert Trujillo's low-rider approach rumbled through the arena loud and clear all night. The show was performed in the round--an egalitarian approach for sure.

I could grouse about the bizarre shuttle bus system at the arena (crowded with drunk metal-heads at midnight), but I am accentuating the positive this evening.