And he admits he's only just begun to realize just how important those gestures are to the band's army of fans.

The thrash giants were midway through a double-header tour with Guns n'Roses when the drama took place at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. Frontman James Hetfield suffered severe burns and was nearly killed after being caught in a pyro explosion, leading to the band cutting their set short. When GnR also cut their set, with Axl Rose complaining of a sore throat, furious fans took to the streets of the Canadian city and staged a riot. Aftermath scenes showed overturned cars, looted shops and vandalised buildings.