Alright, so it's a day of reckoning, a day a great many of us have been anticipating for quite a while now -- and no, I'm not talking about the election. I'm talking about fucking Metallica at the Pepsi Center, dudes. Tonight we'll see if the cats still got it. I have to admit, I'm starting to warm up to the new record...gradually. At first, I was all like: Too little, too late, boys. But then one of my bros called me out. I was all like: brick-walled mastering, loudness wars, yada yada. And he was like: Fuck that! You've gone soft. Metallica's back, man, and all is forgiven. (Of course, I'm paraphrasing here -- he would never say I've gone soft because he knows he's liable to get a knuckle samich, but you get the picture.)

Anyhow, last night, my other buddy Bartz broke out the analog remasters of Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightning on vinyl and we sat in his den and listened like we were seventeen again. And you know what, that shit still kicks ass, man. So while I'm still not ready to say that the new stuff hits me in the chest like those old records do, I can see why some are saying it sounds like redemption. Here's to hoping tonight's show restores the faith of those of us who turned away. And it just might if the setlist judiciously avoids most of the post-Justice dreck, as it did in Portland on Saturday and Salt Lake last night. -- Dave Herrera

Setlist - 11.03.08
Salt Lake City, Utah

That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
Creeping Death
Wherever I May Roam
One
Broken, Beat And Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
Until it Sleeps
Disposable Heroes
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Battery
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman

Encore:

Die, Die My Darling
So What
Seek and Destroy

Portland, Oregon - 11.01.08

Setlist - 11.01.08
Portland, Oregon

That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Ride The Lightning
One
Broken, Beat And Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
…And Justice For All
No Remorse
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Fight Fire With Fire
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman

Encore:
Last Caress
Stone Cold Crazy
Seek and Destroy