It’s finally here, you’ve been waiting years for what is about to happen and the excitement bubbling inside you is about to come forth in the shape of mad yelling, horn throwing, and fist pumping. As the lights go down and the intro tape begins to play you almost start to cry in utter metal rapture and when that first chord is struck you’ve lost yourself in the majesty, in the power of seeing your favorite band live. The live experience in metal is one of the greatest things in this world, the release that one has at a concert is almost frightening with its strength. For me especially, living in an out of the way, middle of nowhere town where you have to drive five or six hours for the nearest show, not including the annual trip I take to Atlanta for Prog Power. Now for those of you who see lineups such as Helloween with Rage, or Stratovarius with Symphony X and Thunderstone every week you might think I’m a little crazy. I live for seeing my favorite bands live and this week’s editorial strikes home because next Saturday I’ll be seeing Helloween in Dallas and every day is the longest day of my life. So what exactly is it about seeing a concert that gets the blood flowing and the head banging?

To someone not in the metal community my adoration of the live experience might seem over hyped and even trite “What’s so special about seeing a band? You can just sit at home and crank your stereo loud and have someone just go, ‘ahhhhh’ in your ear instead of spending thirty bucks,” is one response I got from my non metal friends several years ago. Maybe it’s because there’s a huge difference is seeing a band such as Edguy live, who put every ounce of energy they have into their performance than Dave Matthews, who mumbles retardedly and is the savior for acoustic driven boring as hell pop rock. Metal bands put on a show, whether it’s Power Metal or even Black Metal. Granted, Marduk isn’t my cup of tea but hey, I’d go with my Black Metal friends just to see them in their corpse paint and spikes. Seeing a show is fun for me because I get excited when the band is excited, I for one can’t imagine how certain genres of music can even have concerts such as rap. I see footage and it’s one guy with a mic going, “uh yea, yo” out of breath, while all these lights go off and the crowd interaction is at most, “let me see yo hands.” I just don’t get that, how can anyone really tell themselves that they got their money’s worth at something like that? That is why I go to metal concerts, because I am entertained.

Another aspect that I personally thrive on even if it is fanboyish, is the recognition from the band members themselves. When I caught Judas Priest back in August of 2002 I almost cried like a little girl when Ripper and Glen pointed me out about seven or eight times throughout the show. Man, I even thought they were gonna bring me up onstage to sing Breaking the Law when Ripper shouted, “Does anyone else want to sing this next song? I already know HE does!” and points at me. My friend also just pointed out to me that a big reason I get noticed is most likely because I’m about 6’4” and a big ass Asian guy that is singing every word back to the band so that’s how I stick out more than the average guy.

The pre-concert ritual is a sacred rite as well. You know what I’m talking about. For me the ritual consists of waking up at four A.M. and after showering (gotta be fresh for all the hot chicks at the show, ha!) I put on said band’s t-shirt. If I do not happen to have that band’s shirt then I’ll grab a cool shirt that is somewhat rare, and there’s a slim possibility of anyone else having the same exact shirt. For example, at Prog Power III I sported my mighty Savage Poetry shirt and when I saw Judas Priest I put on one of my many Blind Guardian shirts. After the painstakingly long shirt selection process is through then it’s the drive over to my friend’s place where after a short, “Oh man, I can’t believe we’re going to see _____!!!” girly giggle spree we jump in my truck and proceed to blast the entire catalog of whatever band we’re about to see. Then after we arrive at the venue and notice that we’re the first people there we buy tickets (if the box office is even open) and then have a tailgate party blasting metal and throwing the horns. While this might seem cheesey and over the top to some of you, it’s special to me because I rarely get the chance to see concerts. For me it’s not a “go down four blocks to the club” it’s “drop about a hundred plus dollars on gas, hotel, food, ticket, and shirts.”

The metal live experience is something truly special and if you haven’t had the chance to get out there and catch your favorite bands live then by all means, do whatever it takes to do so. Most of the best moments of my life have happened at the various concerts I’ve attended to, and no matter how hard I try and how eloquent I attempt to make my words sound, nothing can ever compare to that rush, that euphoria that fills your every being and fiber when Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Edguy, Gamma Ray (and soon Helloween!) or whoever, finally hits the stage to play for you, the fan.