The official Live Shit: Binge & Purge box set (1993) included this Seattle show on CD and VHS. However, fan encoders like “Choscar” re-ripped the audio from the DVD source (or original lossless files) to create a 320 kbps CBR MP3 version. This isn’t an official release but a high-quality fan preservation.
Today, streaming services offer the remastered Live Shit at 256 Kbps AAC or lossless via Tidal/Apple Music. So why seek out a 15-year-old 320 Kbps MP3 rip?
Nostalgia – For many fans, the Choscar rip was their first exposure to the full, unedited Seattle show — downloaded track by track from IRC or BitTorrent, burned to a CD-R, and traded at shows. The “Vibe” – The official remasters often sound “corrected.” The Choscar rip has a certain grittiness — not distortion, but an honesty that aligns with the band’s thrash roots. Metadata & Artwork – Choscar included a meticulously scanned booklet from the Live Shit box, complete with tour dates, gear notes, and photos. This turned a simple MP3 folder into a digital artifact.
Given the popularity of this keyword, many fake uploads use the name "Choscar" to attract clicks. To ensure you have the genuine 1989 -320 Kbps- article, look for these identifiers in the metadata or file tree:
Artist: Metallica Source: Choscar Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
If 1988’s …And Justice for All was the sound of Metallica building the monolithic architecture of technical thrash metal, this bootleg—captured at the Seattle Coliseum on February 28, 1989—is the sound of that structure catching fire and collapsing on top of the crowd.
For the mp3 hunter lurking in the darker corners of the internet, finding a rip labeled "Choscar - 320 Kbps" is the digital equivalent of striking gold. In the world of bootlegs, where lineage is often murky and audio fidelity is usually an afterthought, this specific source offers a pristine, front-row assault that defies its "unofficial" status.
The Audio First, the technicals. At 320 Kbps, the compression artifacts are virtually non-existent. The Choscar source provides a surprisingly wide stereo field. The drums are booming and dynamic—quite the contrast to the dry, brick-walled production of the studio Justice. James Hetfield’s rhythm guitar cuts through with a chainsaw buzz that feels dangerous, while Jason Newsted’s bass—often buried on the official live releases—actually rumbles here, providing the gut-punch low-end the songs desperately need.
The Performance This is Metallica at the absolute peak of their "hungry beast" era. They are six months away from the Black Album, still angry, still complex, and still playing with a chip on their shoulder the size of a boulder.
The setlist is a thrasher’s dream. The band rips through the labyrinthine structures of "…And Justice for All" and "Harvester of Sorrow" with a ferocity that feels almost militaristic. But the true highlights come in the sheer endurance on display. The transition from the breakneck "Battery" into a hauntingly clean "The Unforgiven" (still new at the time) showcases a band mastering dynamics.
Kirk Hammett’s solos are ripping, if occasionally sloppy in that charming, wah-drenched late-80s way. But the star of the show is James Hetfield. His voice is in its prime—deep, aggressive, and commanding. When he bellows "EXIT LIGHT!" during "Fade to Black," you can hear the entire Coliseum vibrate back at him.
The Verdict The "Seattle 1989" show has long circulated as a fan favorite, often traded on cassette tapes with muffled sound. This Choscar 320 Kbps version elevates it from a historical curiosity to an essential live document. It captures the band in their final moments as an underground titan before they became the biggest rock band on the planet.
It is raw, it is loud, and thanks to the high-bitrate clarity, it remains the definitive way to experience the Justice tour without buying a ticket. Essential listening.
Standout Tracks:
The Infamous Metallica Live Shit: A Look Back at the Seattle 1989 Concert
For fans of the iconic heavy metal band Metallica, the name "Live Shit: Banned in L.A." is synonymous with one of the most notorious concerts in rock history. However, before the band embarked on that fateful tour, they performed a series of shows that would lay the groundwork for the chaos that was to come. One such concert took place on August 29, 1989, in Seattle, Washington, and it's this show that we'll be revisiting today.
The Rise of Metallica in the Late 1980s
By the late 1980s, Metallica had already established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene. With their 1986 album "...And Justice for All" receiving critical acclaim and commercial success, the band was on an upward trajectory. They had also undergone significant changes in their lineup, with the tragic loss of lead guitarist Cliff Burton in 1986, and the subsequent addition of Jason Newsted on bass.
The Seattle 1989 Concert: A Night to Remember
The August 29, 1989, show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle was part of Metallica's "Damaged Goods" tour, which supported their upcoming album "...And Justice for All". The band, consisting of James Hetfield (vocals, rhythm guitar), Kirk Hammett (lead guitar), Jason Newsted (bass), and Lars Ulrich (drums), took the stage in front of a packed crowd of enthusiastic fans.
The Setlist: A Mix of Old and New
The setlist for the Seattle show featured a mix of tracks from their earlier albums, such as "Kill 'Em All" and "Ride the Lightning", as well as newer material from "...And Justice for All". Some of the notable tracks performed that night included:
The Recording: A Bootlegged Classic
The Seattle 1989 concert was recorded by a fan and circulated among metalheads in various formats, including cassette tapes and CDs. The recording that's been making the rounds online is a 320 kbps MP3, often referred to as "Metallica Live Shit Seattle -1989- -320 Kbps- Choscar". This bootleg has become a cherished possession among fans, offering a raw and unbridled look at Metallica's live performance during this period.
The Live Shit: Banned in L.A. Legacy
Fast-forward to 1990, and Metallica embarked on the ill-fated "Live Shit: Banned in L.A." tour, which would become infamous for its destructive and chaotic nature. The band's antics, which included rampant partying, hotel room trashing, and on-stage shenanigans, would go down in history as some of the most outrageous in rock 'n' roll.
The Impact of Metallica's Live Shows
Metallica's live performances have always been a cornerstone of their success. Their ability to deliver high-energy shows, complete with intricate musicianship and a commanding stage presence, has earned them a reputation as one of the greatest live acts in metal. The Seattle 1989 concert, in particular, showcases the band's growth and maturity during this period, with a setlist that highlights their expanding musical range.
Conclusion
The "Metallica Live Shit Seattle -1989- -320 Kbps- Choscar" recording offers a fascinating glimpse into the band's live performance during a pivotal moment in their career. While the "Live Shit: Banned in L.A." tour would ultimately overshadow this period, the Seattle show remains an essential piece of Metallica's history. For fans and collectors, this bootleg recording is a treasured artifact that captures the raw energy and excitement of Metallica's live shows during the late 1980s.
Key Takeaways
Recommended Listening
For fans interested in exploring more of Metallica's live performances, we recommend checking out: Metallica Live Shit Seattle -1989- -320 Kbps- Choscar
About Metallica
Metallica is a heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1981. The band consists of James Hetfield (vocals, rhythm guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Kirk Hammett (lead guitar), and Robert Trujillo (bass). With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Metallica is one of the most successful metal bands of all time, known for their aggressive sound, intense live performances, and enduring influence on the metal genre.
Metallica: Live Shit: Binge & Purge - Seattle 1989 concert is widely regarded by fans as one of the band's greatest live performances, captured during the Damaged Justice Tour following the release of ...And Justice for All
. The "Choscar" reference likely points to a specific high-quality digital rip or community-shared version of this concert in 320 Kbps audio format. Concert Details Recording Date: August 29 & 30, 1989. Seattle Coliseum, Seattle, Washington. Original Release: Part of the Live Shit: Binge & Purge
box set (1993), originally on VHS and later re-released on DVD. Significance:
It features the band at their technical peak, noted for its high energy and the inclusion of complex tracks from the ...And Justice for All
album before they shifted to a more mainstream sound with the "Black Album". Typical Tracklist (Seattle '89)
Metallica - Live Shit: Binge & Purge - Seattle 1989 - Spotify
For many metal fans, Metallica Live Shit Seattle '89 is more than just a recording; it is the definitive document of a band at the absolute height of their power. Recorded at the Seattle Coliseum on August 29 and 30, 1989, during the legendary Damaged Justice tour, this performance captured Metallica when they were at their most aggressive, precise, and dangerous. The Context of Seattle '89
By 1989, Metallica had evolved from underground thrash pioneers to global superstars. Following the release of their complex fourth album, ...And Justice for All, the band embarked on a massive world tour. The Seattle shows were filmed and later released as part of the massive Live Shit: Binge & Purge box set in 1993.
Fans often point to this specific era as the "Peak of Thrash Domination". It was the last tour before the band’s sound shifted toward the more commercial "Black Album" style, and it featured the formidable lineup of James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Jason Newsted—whose "animalistic" backing vocals added a raw grit to the live sound. The Legendary Setlist
The Seattle '89 performance is celebrated for its blistering tempo and relentless energy. The setlist serves as a "best-of" the band’s first four albums, featuring tracks that have since become undisputed metal anthems: Opener: "Blackened"
Heavy Hitters: "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)," "Master of Puppets," and "Harvester of Sorrow"
Thrash Classics: "Whiplash," "Battery," "Creeping Death," and "The Four Horsemen"
Justice Masterpieces: "...And Justice for All" and the haunting "One"
Encore Covers: "Last Caress" (Misfits), "Am I Evil?" (Diamond Head), and "Breadfan" (Budgie) Why Seattle '89 Stands Out The official Live Shit: Binge & Purge box
The performance from August 29–30, 1989 Seattle Coliseum is widely regarded by fans and critics as Metallica's definitive live peak. Captured during the Damaged Justice Tour
, this concert was later immortalized as a centerpiece of the legendary Live Shit: Binge & Purge box set released in 1993. Cultural and Historical Significance
This recording captures Metallica on the precipice of global superstardom, just before the "Black Album" era shifted their sound toward the mainstream. Musicianship
: The band is noted for being "tight, hungry, and aggressive," delivering complex thrash arrangements with a raw intensity that many argue was never matched in later years. The Damaged Justice Stage : The show featured the iconic Lady Justice statue
(Doris), which famously crumbled and "collapsed" during the performance of ...And Justice for All : It was the first time producer
saw the band perform live, an event that eventually led to their multi-platinum collaboration. The Live Shit: Binge & Purge Box Set
Originally released in a cardboard "road case," the box set was a massive collection of live media and memorabilia.
Metallica's performance at the Seattle Coliseum on August 29 and 30, 1989, is widely regarded as the band at their absolute apex. Captured during the Damaged Justice Tour, this recording was later immortalized as part of the legendary "Live Shit: Binge & Purge" box set. Performance Significance This concert represents a pivotal moment in metal history:
The "Prime" Era: Fans often cite 1989 as the band’s technical peak, showcasing a younger, high-energy lineup performing songs that are now considered foundational classics.
Pre-Mainstream Intensity: Recorded just before the massive commercial shift of the Black Album, this show captures the raw, ferocious energy of their thrash metal roots.
Jason Newsted's Impact: The recording is frequently praised as a shining example of the intensity and backing vocals Jason Newsted brought to the band during his tenure. Breadfan
The tracklist for Metallica's Live Seattle '89 performance, as featured in the Live Shit: Binge & Purge collection, includes the following songs: The Ecstasy of Gold For Whom the Bell Tolls Welcome Home (Sanitarium) Harvester of Sorrow The Four Horsemen The Thing That Should Not Be (including To Live Is to Die Master of Puppets Fade to Black Seek & Destroy ...And Justice for All Creeping Death Guitar Solo (including Little Wing Last Caress (Misfits cover) Am I Evil? (Diamond Head cover) (Budgie cover) Details on this Recording Original Recording: These performances took place on August 29 and 30, 1989 , at the Seattle Coliseum during the Damaged Justice
The "Choscar" version you mentioned likely refers to a specific digital release or community share, typically encoded at for high-quality MP3 playback. Official Releases: While part of the
box set, the Seattle concert has also been released as a standalone double CD and vinyl in various unofficial and official remastered versions.
In the pantheon of heavy metal live recordings, few stand as tall as Metallica’s two-night stand at the Seattle Coliseum on August 29–30, 1989. Officially immortalized as the centerpiece of the Live Shit: Binge & Purge box set (released in 1993), this performance captures the band at a unique crossroads: still raw from the ...And Justice for All tour, yet already eyeing the mainstream breakthrough that Metallica (The Black Album) would bring two years later.
But for audiophiles and bootleg connoisseurs, the official release was just the beginning. Enter “Choscar” — a name whispered in file-sharing circles and torrent forums as the gold standard for this concert’s digital transfer. This write-up explores the historical weight of the Seattle ’89 show, the technical merits of the 320 Kbps MP3 encode, and why the Choscar rip remains a cult favorite among collectors. The Infamous Metallica Live Shit: A Look Back