Metallica – Monsters Of Rock, Moscow 1991

Metallica’s performance at Tushino Airfield in Moscow, Russia, 1991 was a historic event that marked the beginning of a new era in Russian music and culture. The concert drew 1.6 million people and was the largest ever in Russia and the first by a central Western rock band.

Metallica’s iconic songs, such as “Enter Sandman” and “Master of Puppets,” had a powerful impact on the crowd. The concert provided a much-needed boost to the country’s morale during the economic upheaval and political uncertainty. Metallica’s performance was a significant success, proving that Western rock music could be just as popular in Russia as in the rest of the world. 

The Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow in 1991 was a historic event that marked a significant moment in the world of rock music. Here’s a more detailed look at this monumental event:

The Venue and Performances

The Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow in 1991 was a historical event at the Tushino Airfield. The festival featured performances from renowned bands such as AC/DC, Metallica, the Black Crowes, and Pantera. The event was also significant for representing the Soviet Union with the metal band Electro Shock Therapy.

The festival was part of the Monsters of Rock series and occurred during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In September 1991, a month after the failed August Putsch, 1.6 million rock music fans converged in Moscow to enjoy the first open-air rock concert. The festival also offered a look at the efforts of the Soviet Army to try to postpone the concert.

The performances were nothing short of electrifying. AC/DC’s versions of “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “The Jack” performed at this concert were later released on two of AC/DC’s live albums, AC/DC Live and AC/DC Live: 2 CD Collector’s Edition. Metallica also delivered a powerful performance, playing hits like “Enter Sandman”, “Creeping Death”, “Fade to Black”, “Harvester of Sorrow”, “Master of Puppets”, “For Whom The Bell Tolls”, and “Seek And Destroy”.

The festival was captured in a 1992 film titled “For Those About to Rock: Monsters in Moscow”, which featured live performances by the bands. Wayne Isham directed the film and is a testament to the power of rock music and its ability to bring people together, even in the face of adversity. 🎸🤘🎶

The Crowd and the Clashes

The Monsters of Rock festival, held at the Tushino Airfield in Moscow on September 28, 1991, was a significant event in the history of rock music in the Soviet Union. The festival featured performances from renowned bands such as AC/DC, Metallica, the Black Crowes, and Pantera and also represented the Soviet Union with the metal band Electro Shock Therapy. The event attracted more than 500,000 people, making it the largest rock concert in the history of the USSR and the Russian Federation.

However, the event was not without its challenges. There were violent clashes between the public, the police, and even the military, which was summoned from neighboring areas to maintain order. The police and military presence was seen as oppressive and retributive rather than providing security or assistance. The situation was so tense that the producers from Time Warner, who were filming the event, were prepared to stop the show to avoid injuries and deaths.

Despite the violence and chaos, the festival went on. The American metal band Pantera was the first band to play, which set an aggressive tone for the concert. The Moscow-based anarcho-metal group Electro Shock Therapy was the first to sing Russian songs at the event. By the time Metallica took the stage, the clashes had mostly subsided, and the band gave one of its best performances ever. The closing act was AC/DC, which played a stellar two-hour set complete with fireworks, gigantic half-naked blow-up dolls, and their legendary Hells Bell.

The festival was a significant event in the history of rock music in the Soviet Union, marking a moment of cultural exchange and freedom of expression in a time of political upheaval. Despite the challenges and violence, the event is remembered for its music and the unity it brought to the rock fans of the Soviet Union.

The Performances

Despite these challenges, the festival was a resounding success. Metallica, in particular, gave one of its best performances ever, according to the band’s members. They played songs from their recently released self-titled album Metallica, which would later become their best-selling record.

The Closing Act

The closing act was AC/DC, who delivered a stellar two-hour set complete with fireworks, gigantic half-naked blow-up dolls, and their legendary Hells Bell. The festival was so successful that musicians from both bands received phone calls from Boris Yeltsin, the future Russian President, inviting them back to Moscow.

The Impact on the Music Industry

The festival was also significant for its impact on the music industry. Time Warner, which organized the festival, reportedly earned more than $80 million selling the broadcast and distribution rights to a documentary film about the concert. The film, “For Those About to Rock,” was a tribute to the young people who defied the tanks to prevent the 1991 Soviet coup d’état.

In conclusion, the Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow in 1991 was a landmark event showcasing rock music’s power and ability to bring people together, even in the face of adversity. 🎸🤘🎶

For more details, check out these links:

1. The Venue and Performances
2. The Crowd and the Clashes
3. The Performances
4. The Closing Act
5. The Impact on the Music Industry