KFMA Day with Metallica is finally here, though for a time it seemed like it was never going to happen.
The 2008 heavy-on-the-metal show appeared in jeopardy after headliners Metallica apparently threw a hissy fit when its appearance was leaked ahead of time by KFMA management in February.
Shortly after, KFMA declared that Metallica had canceled.
Then in March, surprisingly, the veteran metal act and radio station announced the show was a go after all, leading to the first decent night's sleep Tucson had gotten since the strange saga began.
Five acts are on the bill for KFMA Day, going down Friday at Pima County Fairgrounds.
With tickets at $47.50 in advance online, that's $9.50 per act (not including service charges).
Here's how it breaks down:
People are also reading…
Genre: Metal.
Set time: 9:15 p.m.
Description: Ever the tough, gritty road dogs, Metallica will step on stage and perform classics like "Enter Sandman" and probably newer songs from its upcoming, as-yet-untitled album, produced by Rick Rubin.
Worth $9.50? For the older stuff, yes, but stuff like "St. Anger" ain't worth a dime.
Genre: Metal.
Set time: 7:45 p.m.
Description: Interesting project from former System of a Down's co-vocalist and guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan. The music, judging from what little is available on MySpace, kind of sounds like the System of a Down songs when Serj Tankian isn't singing.
Worth $9.50?: Possibly.
Genre: Cello metal.
Set time: 6:15 p.m.
Description: The Finnish group's first album, released in 1996, consisted entirely of Metallica songs played on the cello. Apocalyptica has since added a drummer and in 2007 released an album of original collaborations with artists like Slipknot's Corey Taylor.
Worth $9.50? Meh.
Genre: Hip-hop/rock.
Set time: 4:50 p.m.
Description: Colorado act could be the most interesting on the bill. The group uses violins, drums and bass to create catchy beats for its flow-challenged frontman (think Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda) to rap over.
Worth $9.50? Yup.
Genre: Hardcore.
Set time: 4 p.m.
Description: Recalling AFI and My Chemical Romance, Chiodos mixes everything from classical to hardcore to make arena-shakers and had a top five Billboard album in 2007.
Worth $9.50? Yes.
• What: KFMA Day, headlined by Metallica.
• When: 4 p.m. Friday.
• Where: Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road.
• Cost: $47.50 in advance, $60 at the gate.
• More info: kfma.com.
