ritualmisery

hi my name is carleigh and i am obsessed with finding information and dates for photoshoots, concerts, etc of metallica so i am storing most things i find onto this account

i pretty much only post 1982-1986 content because i am in love with cliff burton

Rare photo of Cliff Burton performing live at Variety Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

February 2, 1985.

James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett hanging with fans at Tarvashovi in Lieto, Finland.

December 14, 1984 — their first ever performance in Finland.

Metallica at HIT Import music store in Nice, France. November 24, 1985.

James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Jason Newsted with fan James L. Ferraro at The Stone in San Francisco, California, USA. June 15, 1987.

Cliff and Kirk with fans at the Channel Rock club in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

January 1984.

Metallica performing live at Paradiso in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

December 7, 1984.

© Marko Van Haren

Van Haren recalling the concert:

“As a result of intensive touring throughout Europe, Metallica's star was on the rise. And their popularity got boosted even more with the release of Ride The Lightning. Their upcoming gig at Paradiso was sold-out in no time and because of that, entering Paradiso was a problem for me. The club was overpopulated, and due to safety reasons, access to the press was very limited.

But my reporter colleague Donald Wever made a bold move and went to Metallica's tour bus to speak with someone from the band. Bass player Cliff Burton recognised Donald from the interview at Zwaagwesteinde above, and the connection was made. So Donald explained to him the whole situation, and Cliff arranged immediately with their tour manager my entrance. The main programmer of Paradiso, Jan-Willem, was also involved, and finally, my access was granted. Jan-Willem symbolically destroyed my fake entrance ticket at the press entrance and I got into the venue.

The audience, more than 1200 visitors, was very varied from Metal-heads to Punks with Mohawks. After awhile, the now famous intro tape shuffled through the PA. The audience clapped along with it, and this gesture immediately testified to the fantastic atmosphere in Paradiso.

After another acoustic intro, Fight Fire With Fire kicked off, and the crowd turned full speed into a headbanging frenzy. This interaction was immediately reflected in the band's enthusiasm on stage. With this excellent show, Metallica expanded their built-up reputation and returned after this gig back to the US for an extended tour.”

Metallica performing live at Evenmentenhal in Zwaagwesteinde, Netherlands.

June 9, 1984.

© Marko Van Haren

Van Haren recalling the concert:

“Our friends at the Metal magazine Loudness, who were involved in organising this event, invited us to report this show for our magazine. On the way to the venue, we realised we were driving behind a white Bedford van containing the members of Metallica. We decided to follow them. Arriving at the scene, the awaiting fans were already gathered on the street, armed with crates of beer. Cliff, Kirk and James decided to hang around and drink beer with them. Everybody was invited, so it didn't take long before we were also supplied with the holy water.

What a party, drinking with the guys from Metallica, and the concert hadn't even begun. Meanwhile, we were summoned backstage for a press briefing. And we were confronted with all kinds of instructions, rules and regulations. Who came up with this crap? I don't know. Maybe the demanding tour manager? Knowing that there is always something going on before every performance, it came as no surprise.

But one way or another, I'm always determined to make it happen. By a twist of fate, the promoter, Henk Elzinga, didn't know that Twisted Sister was bigger than Metallica at that time. Twisted Sister should have been the main act, but Elzinga had switched it around. Because of him, Metallica had their first show as the headliner.

Prior to the gig, Donald Wever had an interview with Cliff Burton sitting on a bench outside somewhere in the area. They discussed the recording process of the forthcoming Ride The Lightning album and the band's interest in finding a new vocalist/frontman. At that time, there was a rumour going around that Guy Esparanza (ex-Riot) was approached by the band to fill that position, but Cliff immediately debunked this one.

During the song Metal Militia, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister joined the band on stage to shout with them the well-known phrase: Metal Up Your Ass. Meanwhile, I ran towards the stage with my camera to capture this moment, but it jammed. Typical, something which had kept happening during the whole event. The atmosphere in this place was so incredible, it can't be described, but the band gave four encores…. this speaks for itself. If people ask me what was one of the most impressive and best gigs you ever watched, then it was definitely this one for sure. Every time I hear the name of the village Zwaagwesteinde, I still get goosebumps. A memory set for eternity.”

Metallica performing live at Annie’s Riverside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

January 29, 1985.

Metallica performing live at Hemmerleinhalle in Forchheim, Bavaria, Germany.

February 7, 1984.