Metallica took to the stage a day early for the Orion Music + More Festival Press Conference today at Bader Field in Atlantic City, NJ. The band had just finished soundchecking several songs from Ride The Lightning, which will be played in it’s entirety for the first time ever tomorrow night. A media frenzy was on-hand to hear Metallica talk about the festival, it’s non-musical elements, and playing Right The Lightning and Metallica (The Black Album) back-to-back, both in full.
During the press conference, I asked the band how different he energy was surrounding this festival since it was something that they had created themselves. Throughout their career, Metallica have headlined the biggest festivals in the world, including Woodstock ’99, Sonisphere, and Download (formerly Donington), but never have they headlined one of there own. “It’s very scary,” Hetfield replied jokingly. “At the end of they day, the cars, the ‘scary house,’ all the other stuff…those are accessory items. People come to a festival to for the music, to hang with their friends, and to soak up, hopefully, some different styles of music. I think what we’ve got is the best of different kinds of music.”
Frontman James Hetfield is putting on a massive custom car and motorcycle show to Orion. On display will be everything hot rods to classics to muscle cars, and a special exhibit of a car being dismantled and reconstructed right before everyone’s eyes. Hetfield’s passion for grease and gasoline will be fully documented at Orion. Bassist Robert Trujillo will bringing the SoCal lifestyle to AC. An avid surfer and skateboarder (along with lead guitarist Kirk Hammett), the Seek & Destroy Atlantic City Air Assault will feature a half pipe, and surfing locations on the beach. Several of the world’s top pro skaters and surfers will be on hand to take part in the action. In addition, Hammett will have a horror movie experience for fans. Kirk’s Crypt will feature Hammett’s unreal collection of horror movie memorabilia, posters, comics, and much more. Drummer Lars Ulrich will be sharing his passion for films and film making with the fans. Ulrich will be screening several films that are related to Metallica, as well as others.
It’s all about to go down tomorrow. The first Orion Music + More Festival invades Bader Field with performances by Avenged Sevenfold, Arctic Monkeys, The Gaslight Anthem, The Black Dahlia Murder, Eric Church, Suicidal Tendencies, and many more. Each night will be capped off by an epic Metallica performance. Stay tuned to The Rock Revival for complete coverage of the entire weekend, and get ready to ride some lightning. – Matt Bishop (Photo Courtesy of Donald Kravitz/Getty Images North America)
