The biggest metal band in the world, Metallica, took their M72 World Tour to a new level by streaming the two live shows from Arlington, Texas on August 18th and August 20th via Trafalgar Releasing to audiences worldwide in cinema screenings. The band played two completely different setlists, with songs from across the group's 40+ year career, ranging from 1983's debut 'Kill' Em All' to 2023's new release '72 Seasons'. Audiences who attended both nights wouldn't have witnessed the same song twice, presenting Metallica fans with a unique opportunity to experience - or relive - the band's acclaimed M72 World Tour and offered an excellent opportunity for those who couldn't make their tour in person or attend both nights of their World Tour.
As I wasn't in Texas for the in-person event, I attended my local cinema in South East England, UK, for night two on Monday, August 21st, due to the time differences worldwide. It was great seeing Metallica fans of all ages coming out on a Monday evening. Unfortunately, I couldn't make the night one cinema event. Still, I was lucky enough to attend Download Festival UK Thursday, June 8th, where Metallica headlined two nights as part of their M72 tour. I saw their night one at that festival but missed their second night, so this cinema experience was a great way to make up for missing their second headline set. Even more fortunate was that the Texas Night Two setlist was utterly different to what I saw at Download Festival, which made it even better!
Metallica is probably one of, if not the only, metal band in the world who can have live-streamed shows and album launches via the cinema and not only that, but they do a bloody good job of it, too, making it a worthwhile event to attend. The M72 tour featured a bold new in-the-round stage design that relocated the famed Metallica Snake Pit to centre stage so that fans have a complete 360-degree view of the show. With a state-of-the-art multi-camera set-up, you feel right in the middle of the action, no matter where you are in the world, and you did.
It was great to see the crowds streamed via the big screen at Arlington for the build-up and excitement before the band hit the stage with the mighty 'Whiplash' kicking things off, going right back to the band's 1983's debut 'Kill' Em All' and as expected and promised the band didn't disappoint with hit after hit with 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and 'Ride the Lightning' and an unexpected entry from 2003's 'St Anger' with 'Dirty Window' which I don't believe they play often. Of course, they played some songs from their latest new album '72 Seasons' including the title track and the striking 'If Darkness Had a Son' and 'You Must Burn!' all sounded crushing, and the fans equally loved their newer material.
One of my highlights and favourite moments in the set was 'No Leaf Clover'; I love that song, and they hardly play it, so that was a pleasant surprise and sounded fantastic. They really did pull from all Metallica eras as they played 'Moth Into Flame' from 2016's 'Hardwired... to Self-Destruct' followed by the furious 'Battery' taken from their third album, 'Master of Puppets'.
As the night was drawing to a close, they pulled out some of their most significant hits with the fun party vibe track 'Whiskey In The Jar', which saw loads of specially designed M72 beach balls bouncing around the crowds at Arlington, which was a sight to see and for their final two tracks they went with the classic 'One' from 1988's '...And Justice for All' which opened with cinematic war sounds and pyro explosives to add to the already electric atmosphere and made the song even more impactful before closing with one of their most known and popular tracks 'Enter Sandman' which always goes down a storm and sounded epic with all the Texas fans singing along ecstatically and closed the worldwide event in a massively triumphant fashion.
Even after Metallica's set, the band continued to show why they are so revered as musicians and people as they are so down to earth as it showed the band handing out loads of picks and shaking hands and signing casts and other items for fans. They are so genuine and passionate with their fans. The band sounded and looked brilliant, and you can tell that even 40 years into their careers, they still love what they do, which continues to make their live shows so memorable, and fantastic metal hits, of course.
The production and set-up of the Live In Cinemas event was great, with the multi-camera set-up making you feel like you were there in person. Plus, fortunately, the cinema didn't hold back and fully cranked up the volume for all the Metallica fans. What a unique and memorable night or nights for those who attended both shows/screenings, especially for those who couldn't attend to see their performances in person or who have yet to have the pleasure of seeing them live in any shape or form! "Metallica loves you!" as singer/rhythm guitarist James Hetfield said during the show and frequently states, and it's pretty clear they do.
The band also created a special event t-shirt to mark the occasion, which can be purchased from metallica.com/store
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