There’s a certain allure about going to see arguably the most successful metal band of all time. Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard, there’s something that draws you in. Curiosity, perhaps. FOMO, maybe. Or maybe just the chance to be part of something special. As far as fan scale goes – I sit largely in the middle for Metallica. They’ve been around longer than I’ve been alive, and whilst there are one or two specific albums that have really inspired me, and a handful of songs I rarely skip when they come up on a playlist – I’m no die-hard. It’s been 12 years since I caught half their set at Soundwave, and 17 years since seeing them headline – so that curiosity got the better of me and I once again make my way to the still frustratingly located Accor Stadium (seriously, Sydney!).
A vast difference from just 7 days prior, where bucket hats and British accents flooded the Olympic Park surrounds – today was all about black tees and long hair. No more fanatical, no less sweaty. Per the script the merch tents are absolutely flooded with people and the lines to get inside the stadium are winding around the pavement like tentacles. There’s a fantastic line-up for tonight’s show, so I hurriedly make my way in to catch SoCal heavyweights and punk stalwarts Suicidal Tendencies amp the crowd up.
I’d hope this band needs no introduction, having formed in 1980 and still admirably led by frontman Mike Muir who is at his ‘head-banging’ best for the entire set. ST have had more drummers than Spinal Tap, and it’s a genuine pleasure to see Jay Weinberg with the sticks – who does a brilliant job. The band’s frenetic punk rock is a perfect start to the day, getting the crowd warmed up for the headline act, opening with hit single You Can’t Bring Me Down, to early track Subliminal, and the new song Adrenaline Addict (which included Nisha STar on backing vocals). It’s likely Cyco Vision that the majority of the crowd will know, having gained more mainstream popularity by featuring on Tony Hawk Pro Skater – in the absence of Institutionalised which is strangely missing from the set. All-in-all, a great set with no surprises. ST will do what they do best, and you can either like it or not.
I’d be lying if I said having Evanescence on the bill wasn’t a major factor in deciding to attend tonight’s show. Only knowing a couple of tracks from their early days, and not being a big enough fan to attend a solo show, it was a gift to see them as main support. I enjoy the couple of songs that I know, and have always been in awe of Amy Lee‘s vocal ability, and it’s for this reason I am well and truly seated when they start, to check out the set. From the second Lee opens her mouth to sing, my decision is justified. What a powerhouse. Her voice is completely out of this world, and nothing I’ve heard on their records before the show (or subsequent listens after) do it justice. Opening with Afterlife (from Netflix‘s Devil May Cry series), Lee immediately gets the chance to show off her vocal prowess and absolutely nails it. Ensuring they aren’t left behind, the band sounds tight, heavy and completely on point. I can’t overstate just how good they sounded. It’s both surprising and satisfying at once. When the band hits Going Under (one of the few tracks I recognise), I’m left wondering how I missed the boat on this band – Fallen was a great record, and I vaguely remember enjoying follow-up record The Open Door, however I can’t say I even really remember hearing about them since. Tonight, the band are going from strength to strength, stretching from early favourites on Fallen to newer entries on their latest release The Bitter Truth, and it’s a fantastic set. What was most surprising though was their second-to-last track – the hit single and ballad My Immortal. It’s a bold move for a stadium of metal-heads, and I genuinely thought they wouldn’t go there to ensure they feature heavier material (particularly when the stadium is now completely packed to the rafters) – but it absolutely brings the house down in a moment worthy of a headline slot. A gorgeous track performed perfectly to a sea of lights (mobile phones overtook lighters many years ago). Immediately following this, the band reaches their climax with their biggest hit Bring Me To Life and it’s the cherry on top of a brilliant set. Kudos to Evanescence, I am officially a fan.
Per usual, in the lead up to the gig I brush up on the back catalogue of the artist to ensure I remember all of the moments I loved from years go by, and the album I’ve completely demolished more than a few times is 1984’s Ride The Lightning. Without a doubt my favourite Metallica record for many reasons. So it’s an absolute joy that the metal pioneers open tonight with Creeping Death and follow up with personal favourite For Whom The Bell Tolls – the latter sending the packed stadium floor into a frenzy. It’s a fast, heavy and satisfying opening 15mins or so. Showing no signs of aging and certainly not slowing down – both tracks are tight and crisp. Even third track Fuel is a belter – complete with an on-script fire display. For a 1-2-3 punch, I don’t think they could have done much better. It’s certainly left me feeling very justified for having come along.
From here, the set starts to meander a little. No doubt big tracks that will please the crowd – but safe options that feel too rehearsed (afterwards I’ll recognise that they are largely playing the same set every night on the Australian tour – switching out one or two middle tracks only). It’s a shame, given their most recent American and Europe tours contained back-to-back ‘no repeat’ shows, ensuring deep cuts and fan favourites were available to those who attended. Cyanide, The Unforgiven and Wherever I May Roam are quality songs, as are The Day That Never Comes and Moth Into Flames – however we get hardly a peek at And Justice For All or Master of Puppets albums and no more from Ride The Lightning. The majority of the set comes from the Black album, which leaves me feeling somewhat underwhelmed. As I said, I’m no die-hard – but I genuinely wouldn’t have minded if they left out some of these tracks (and I know I’m in the minority here – but Sad But True or Nothing Else Matters wouldn’t have been missed either) just so we could hear something a bit more obscure. I hope they return soon with a proper no-repeat set, as it would be a joy to hear Ride The Lightning, Harvester of Sorrow, Blackened, King Nothing, Whiplash, Battery, Leper Messiah, The Judas Kiss or others. Hard to put together a set that pleases everyone though – so playing the ‘hits’ is likely warranted after such a long absence!
Having said that, lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield sounds as raspy and commanding as ever, lead guitarist Kirk Hammet at his dazzling best, and bassist Robert Trujillo with fingers made of lead sound like they did 20+ years ago. I know it’s cliche, and it’s an easy criticism, but man Lars Ulrich is just janky, awkward and overplayed so many parts which ruined the moment of the songs. He was at his best when he stayed in the pocket and laid it down with a straighter rhythm.
Setlist gripes aside, tonight is a masterclass in stadium performance. Hetfield commands the crowd with ease, and they lap up every second of his witty and self-deprecating banter. The pyrotechnics and stage show are suitable for their content without going over the top, and the Kirk and Rob jam/doodle which paid tribute to local artists (AC/DC and Rose Tattoo for Sydney) is a neat little touch.
Ending the night with their classic Enter Sandman (surprise!), I think the punters would have been in one of a few camps tonight. Firstly, die-hard fans who couldn’t care less about the song choices and just wanted to see their heroes. Second, fans who only know the big hits and who were given exactly what they needed. Lastly, fans who’ve seen them before and knew exactly what to expect – for better or worse. Then maybe a few who just went along with their partner for the night out and spent more time at the bar (seriously – the amount of people leaving for the bar during every single song must have hit a record tonight). Whichever camp you are in, Metallica delivered a professional, enjoyable and insanely loud metal show and proved why they’re still at the top of their genre. Let’s just hope they don’t continue to ignore their impressive back catalogue in future.
4.2/5
Metallica, Accord Stadium Sydney, Saturday November 15th 2025
- Creeping Death
- For Whom The Bell Tolls
- Fuel
- Cyanide
- The Unforgiven
- Wherever I May Roam
- The Day That Never Comes
- Moth Into Flame
- Sad But True
- Nothing Else Matters
- Seek and Destory
- Lux Aeterna
- Master of Puppets
- One
- Enter Sandman
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