Metallica Returns To Cleveland For The First Time In A Decade

Despite near blizzard conditions, hundreds of headbangers trekked to the Agora Dec. 18, 1983, to see a  little-known band called Metallica. The no-holds-barred thrashers would soon alter the course of heavy metal history. But that night, the 19- and 20-year-old Los Angeles shredders were just happy to fill the room. “The band was shocked they had all those fans in Cleveland,” says Bill Peters, host of WJCU’s long-running Metal on Metal radio show. “They were just young kids wondering if anyone was going to show up.” From his spot wedged into the front row that night, Peters recalls that he’d never seen a band play that hard and fast before. “They were just bludgeoning you in the face,” he says. On Feb. 1, Metallica returns to Cleveland for the first time in a decade with a stop at Quicken Loans Arena. “They’re just a fun band to see,” he says. “You can’t help but put your fist in the air and headbang.” 1 Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com