Metallica is one of the most iconic and successful heavy metal bands in the world, but its reputation for being difficult to tour with is well-known in the music industry. Over the years, several bands have openly expressed their frustration and dislike for touring with Metallica.
Guns N’ Roses is one such band. In 1992, they opened for Metallica on the Guns N’ Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour, but the two bands had a rocky relationship that resulted in a lot of tension and fighting. The tour ended prematurely after Guns N’ Roses left the stage early at several shows, leaving Metallica to play extended sets.
Faith No More also had a difficult time touring with Metallica in the early 1990s. The band was the opening act for Metallica’s “Black Album” tour, but they quickly grew tired of the large, impersonal venues and the rowdy Metallica fans. They even went as far as to refer to Metallica’s fans as “cavemen.”
Ozzy Osbourne, who is widely considered to be one of the godfathers of heavy metal, also had a hard time touring with Metallica in the late 1980s. Ozzy’s band was the opening act for Metallica’s “Damaged Justice” tour, but they struggled to connect with Metallica’s fanbase and felt that they were often overshadowed by the headlining act.
Queensryche had a similar experience when they toured Metallica in the early 1990s. The band’s progressive metal sound was not well-received by Metallica’s fanbase, and the two bands had very different approaches to live performance, with Queensryche favoring a more theatrical style that clashed with Metallica’s no-frills approach.
Limp Bizkit, Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, and Linkin Park have also been vocal about their less-than-stellar experiences touring with Metallica over the years. Some have cited the band’s notoriously strict soundchecks and production demands, while others have simply found it difficult to live up to the high standards set by Metallica’s live performances.
Despite the mixed reviews from some of their touring partners, Metallica remains one of the most successful and influential heavy metal bands of all time. Their live shows are known for their energy, intensity, and raw power, and they continue to draw massive crowds to this day. However, their reputation for being difficult to tour with is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
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