Metallica in Hamburg — Edgar Barradas

Hello friends!
First, let’s go back a few months ago when the tour got announced, tickets went on sale almost immediately after that, after looking at my options I got the NA I Disappear Ticket for both years and called it a day since Europe didn’t make sense for me budget-wise, as is customary, the hype started and we all wanted to know what the other fans were doing, one person, in particular, my long internet friend Kasia asked me about the show in Hamburg since she was planning to attend and it would be a perfect opportunity to meet for the first time, I felt sad because she was right, I didn’t want to miss that chance but I couldn't afford to spend any more, long story short, she surprised me with a ticket as an early gift for my birthday and said “it’s there for you, but don’t feel obligated to come, if you can’t I’ll give it to someone else” I took that as a sign and said “hell nah! you ain’t giving that ticket to anyone but me!

Every Metallica adventure starts with just a ticket, Thank you Kasia!

May 25th The Day That Never Comes!

There I was, at the Hamburg airport, excited for another crazy adventure in Metallicaland, and there waiting for me was Kasia and her friend Marlene with open arms! it’s such a nice feeling when you get to hug someone you’ve talked to and made friends with online for a long time! especially from so far!
I was exhausted but my plan was to stay awake and battle the jetlag so, what better way than to go to a bar and have some beers with my Mexitallica and St Germany Friends!! (not before showering and changing of course!) Getting there was easy, the rail system was comprehensible. (even in a foreign language) and the place was super easy to spot, not only did it have a huge sign but you could not miss the barrage of green shirts sitting there! it was a lovely evening, eating, drinking, laughing, and catching up.

Metallica St Germany Chapter — The Metfam at Astra

To make things even more interesting, My local friend Nicole offered a walking tour around the area that included music venues like the Große Freiheit 36 to bars like Hotel Hong Kong, Elbschlosskeller and Sum Silbersack to name a few, all around the Red Light District “Reeperbahn” even more interesting was the infamous street Herbertstraße, a mere 200ft (60m) street blocked by big red walls and signs that read “Entry for men under 18 and women prohibited” the guys said let’s go, just so you can see what is about, and of course, I said yes, what am I gonna do? travel to another country and not experience it? now, I’m not a fan of window shopping but this was a bit different … girls in underwear behind walls, left and right, trying to lure you in for a fun night!! as awful as that sounds turns out it’s all legal, but legal or not I’m glad I have no need for those extravagances so we just went to another bar for more drinks.
Did you know you can ask the bartender for a Mexican? I didn’t!! It turns out that a Mexican is a spicy little Bloodymary-like shot that originated in Hamburg and is completely unknown to us Mexicans XD! Next time you’re in Hamburg don’t forget to ask for a Mexikaner!

May 26th Show day!!

The plan was to head to the venue, walk around, and finally hug all of those beautiful people I hadn’t seen in so long! So many of you! 🥰 have some beers and a snack at the picnic hosted by our friends from St Germany and head back to the line before the show.
When the doors finally opened I was ecstatic, eyes wide open trying to catch sight of the new stage as I power walked towards the floor, It was absolutely massive! As soon as I got down, I started geeking out and walked around to see different vantage points, I quickly realized that there was no perfect spot, there were pros and cons to all of them, even inside the Snake Pit.
Want the best sound? sit back and relax near the Soundboard area!
Wanna see Papa Het smoke or light your cigar? secure a rail spot by his area! (one of the Orange “Okay” areas)
Wanna be at the rail and not have an obstructed view? secure a spot by the Stage Dip ( should we name it Snake Dip? )
So on and so forth, it really depends on what kind of experience you’re trying to get.
As for the show! just wow! it felt so good to hear “Long Way to the Top” before “Ectsacy” once again; to feel those goosebumps when you know Metallica is imminent!
The boys looked and sounded as good as ever, my biggest highlights of this show were Until it Sleeps, the three 72 seasons tunes, Ktulu, and seeing Homie Rob come to us and play right on my face and for the camera, I also told him “Let’s go for tacos!” which he laughed at XD!

Metallica M72 seasons Rail view chart — M72 rail view chart ( Okay+ is a bit better than Okay only because you get lars closer to you )

May 27th Day off

There were three main objectives this day
1.- Go to the Ross Halfin Book signing
2.- Make it to the Harbor for a boat cruise with St Germany!
3.- Head to the club Logo to finally see My’tallica

There was a huge line at the Ross Halfin signing when I got there and YOU know why! There was a high chance Rob and Kirk would come to crash the party, and of course, they did! while the chat was short and sweet I must say these guys are so hilarious! I’d pay to see their comedy show if they had one!
You ever see Tom Cruise run? well, I felt I was Tom in Mission Impossible when I couldn’t find the damn boat before it took off without me, they say “follow the green shirts” but to my surprise, there weren’t any to be found 🤣 In their defense, I was late, pretty late but made it!! at think at the end it was 2 or 3 boats doing the ride, lots of beers, delightful views, and of course.. loud Metallica!
Right after the cruise most of us went straight to the Logo for My’tallica, I was so happy to finally meet and watch these guys play!! and of course, I had to take some pictures! it was a tight and sweaty show! and I loved it!!

May 28th Second show

I’ll keep this one short as it pretty much was a carbon copy of the first one with the exception that this time Kasia (she absolutely loves Rob) wanted to make it to the rail by Rob’s side and once there I couldn’t go around and geek out as much as in the first show, so I’ll talk about the openers for both nights here, first Mammoth, he was good! but also very static, thankfully we were on the side where he plays his set, Architects, never heard of them but there were a couple of tunes where they got me interested, great energy nonetheless, the second night we had Ice Nine Kills, a band I’ve seen before and don’t really listen to but I gotta say, they put on a great show! as for Epica.. I mean… Simone was just… bewitching! yeah… I’m weak when it comes to female singers.
I got to say, there’s always more energy from the crowd when you’re at the rail. the show feels more intense somewhat more alive, it’s electric!
My highlights of the night were the intro with Bellz, King, Smokey Orion, and Screaming!