Metallica performs at Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2024.
Late into Metallica’s set on Aug. 9, during night one of a two-night sold-out run at Soldier Field in Chicago on the M72 World Tour, James Hetfield (vocals, guitar) welcomed fans new and old to what felt like a Metallica family reunion.
“If you’re part of the Metallica family, which you are, you can’t ever leave. You’re family for life. We are a giant gathering of fuck-ups and misfits. You belong, alright, just like me,” he said before adding, “If you’re in the Metallica family, you like your music heavy, isn’t that right? Do you want heavy right now? Metallica gives you heavy, Chicago.”
Cheers and screams filled the air as the iconic pulse-pounding intro to the self-titled album classic, “Sad But True,” followed, provoking a flurry of head-banging, fist-pumping, and circle pits across the historic stadium.
Pantera performs at Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2024.
Earlier in the night, before Metallica unleashed their tornadic riffs, melting faces from the GA floor up to the 400 level seats, Mammoth WVH opened up the show with a few shredders of their own. Pantera – currently comprised of Rex Brown (bass), Phil Anselmo (vocals), Zakk Wylde (guitar), and Charlie Benante (drums) – followed with a crowd-pleasing set of their own. They honored the legacies of the late-founding members Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell with a setlist that included “Strength Beyond Strength” and “Walk” which sent fans into a frenzy.
“I think everybody should scream their fucking throats out,” said Anselmo introducing the Vulgar Display of Power hit.
Just as the sun set, the sounds of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” blasted out of the speakers indicating that Metallica – Hetfield, Lars Ulrich (drums), Kirk Hammett (guitar), and Robert Trujillo (bass) – was about to take the stage. With the swagger of old west gunslingers who’ve never missed a shot, the band emerged from below the giant circle stage as Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” played overhead. When the suspense was at its breaking point, the crashing cymbals and thrashing guitars of “Creeping Death” echoed across the crowd. “Harvester of Sorrow” followed bringing with it Hetfield’s menacing laugh and Hammett’s stunning solo.
Metallica performs at Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2024.
The set was full of highlights. From an early sing-along of the Load single “King Nothing” to Trujillo’s gorgeous, complex bass sounds on “Orion” – which Hetfield dedicated to the band’s late-bassist, Cliff Burton, saying, “We miss you, Cliff.” – each moment topped the last.
Elsewhere, Trujillo and Hammett – Hetfield and Ulrich left the stage – took time out to share something special with the Chicago crowd, a fresh, genre-bending jam dubbed “Chi-Town Gangster.”
“Growing up, Kirk and I liked to jam, that’s what you do as musicians. And we keep the tradition going so what we’ve done is we’ve prepared a song for Chicago right now, custom for you at Soldier Field. It’s got a little bit of some funkiness to it and it’s also got some bluesiness to it. We’re very proud of this and we’re very nervous right now, because it’s just he and I and we feel like we’re naked,” Trujillo said with a laugh.
When Hetfield talks about how Metallica gives fans heavy, he doesn’t only mean the metal music that made them famous. The band also doesn’t shy away from serious topics. They share the weight of dark, existential thoughts by tackling them as a family – the Metallica family – to make everyone feel less alone.
Metallica performs at Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2024.
“Fade to Black,” which began with a delicate intro by Hammett, evolved into a live masterpiece of epic proportions thanks to Ulrich’s relentless rhythms, Hetfield’s impassioned vocals, and Trujillo’s soul-nourishing bass. Mid-song, before unleashing the monumental climax, Hetfield took time out to address the crowd.
“[This song] was written about suicidal thoughts and you’re lying if you haven’t thought about it. But, you have friends, you have family, you have people around you who care. Don’t listen to the voices in your head. Get them outside. Tell your friends. ‘Cause you are not alone. You are in the Metallica family. Are you with me,” he screamed to a chorus of cheers.
“Nothing Else Matters,” “Blackened,” “Seek & Destroy,” and “Master of Puppets” were further stand-outs of the performance.
The Metallica family reunion will reconvene in Chicago for night two at Soldier Field on Sunday, Aug. 11. Check out photos from night one – featuring Mammoth WVH and Pantera – below and head over to Metallica.com for tour dates and more information.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
