Metallica Play Secret Gig At 'House of Metal'

Veteran metal band Metallica played a secret gig at the House of Blues for 1,000 contest winners from across the United States, none of whom knew for sure who would be taking the stage until the curtains were pulled back, according to Reuters.

Metallica, which just three nights earlier had played to 65,000 fans at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, were the latest band to take part in a "Blind Date" competition organized by Miller Genuine Draft.

SLIDESHOW

Metallica played for 1,000 lucky winner from across the country Tuesday night. Slideshow: See highlights from the show.

Other acts to have participated since 1997 include David Bowie, Bush, Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots. Based on record sales, Metallica were by far the biggest. And quite likely the loudest.

"This ain't the House of Blues. It's the House of Metal," lead guitarist Kirk Hammett declared.

Metallica have played similar corporate events before.

In September 1995 they headlined a Molson-sponsored show for 500 fans in Toktoyaktuk, a tiny community in the Canadian Arctic Circle. In June 1996, they played at a bar in Aberdeen, Wash., for an MTV contest winner and his friends.

After Metallica took the stage just before 9:30 p.m., singer/guitarist James Hetfield yelled out, "We are Metallica. So f-----' what?" and the quartet launched into the bawdy punk anthem "So What."

Tuesday's 90-minute set boasted 13 tunes, all played during the band's recent North American tour. Songs included "Fuel," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "Fade to Black," "Sad But True," "No Leaf Clover," "King Nothing," "I Disappear," "Turn the Page" and "One."

The first encore consisted of "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman," and the band wrapped the evening with "Die, Die My Darling."

Before leaving the stage, drummer Lars Ulrich thanked Miller "for helping pay the rent this month."

Photos by Nancy Bresson