They don't make concerts like this anymore.
Ozzfest and Sounds of the Underground are fine and all, but back in 1991 the Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow featured Pantera, Metallica and AC/DC on the same bill. The Black Crowes also played, as did local Moscow band E.S.T., who sound almost as much like AC/DC as AC/DC, but it as clear by the end of the night which two bands were the real Monsters and would keep the heavy metal torch burning during the alternative revolution that was to come.
In addition to being a great concert, the show had real historical impact. It was the first mega-metal festivals to follow the collapse of the Soviet Union and it was a sign of the changes and hardships to come. The beginning of the 112 minute-long video capturing the event features the caption, "In August of 1991 in the U.S.S.R., the young challenged the old. Those who questioned authority triumphed."
They did, indeed, but not without some casualties. While the bands rocked up a peaceful storm, the officers handling security kicked and punched numerous members of the crowd and smacked down others with batons. Almost as unsettling as watching fans getting beaten up Altamont-style is seeing the Black Crowes playing right before Metallica. Still, there was no way a little southern blues crap could ruin the day.
The video below features: Pantera playing "Cowboys From Hell," "Primal Concrete Sledge" and "Psycho Holiday"; Metallica opening with "Enter Sandman," and continuing the assault with "Creeping Death" and "Fade to Black"; And AC/DC capping off the night with "Back in Black," "Highway to Hell," "Whole Lotta Rosie" and "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)." By the time the roar of the canons ceased, it wasn't clear if the band had just finished their set or if martial law had been declared.
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