Metallica are such an institution that, for one whole weekend, they’re bending London to their will. As well as headlining the former Olympic Stadium twice to a combined 160,000 people, the Grammy-gobbling megastars are screening their concert films in cinemas across town, running a pop-up shop on Old Street and donating thousands of pounds to local disadvantaged students. They’re even hosting a blood drive where fans can exchange their plasma for possible goodies.
As if metal’s best-selling band taking over the capital weren’t big enough, they’ve also brought two of the scene’s most exciting bands for night one. KNOCKED LOOSE’s chest-kicking hardcore was refined in Kentucky basements, so it’s easy to imagine a half-empty stadium swallowing much of their oomph. But, the five-piece thrive in the expanse. Frontman Bryan Garris strides around the circular stage while six moshpits swirl: a record no one else this evening will touch.
