Let’s face it – Metallica are mega. The Metal gurus, formed in LA but San-Fran based for most of their existence, have owned the top of the Metal ladder for eons, transcending boundaries and walking the line between Hard Rock and Metal for the better part of their five-decade career.
And with a weather warning out Tuesday evening, hopes were high that the skies would clear for one of the premier outdoor concerts of 2025’s calendar.
Well, the rain would stay away for the most part, although the elements always give added value to the mayhem. The occasion was made even bolder with the inclusion of two great support acts, for this which was incidentally the final show of Metallica’s world tour.
ST are Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo’s old sparring partners. In fact, his son Tye is in the band representing the Trujillo whanau nowadays.
Founder and only original member Mike Muir led the troops forcefully and with vitality. The crossover trash pioneers, who also include drummer Jay Weinberg (son of Bruce Springsteen skinsman Max), were perfectly enlisted to warmup the ever-building audience.
Along with her boisterous bandmates, she belted out a bracket which included the hits; Going Under, Call Me When You’re Sober, My Immortal, and Bring Me to Life.
Lee was inspired being on this tour and expressed overwhelming gratitude for hooking a ride with their iconic top-billing buddies. A rousing set played slickly and prepping us all for the anticipated main act.
Eden Park was housing more black shirts than an All Black match – for once.
A mile-wide stage greeted them for opening rager Creeping Death.
Another off 1984’s Ride the Lightning – For Whom the Bell Tolls followed in quickfire fashion, it’s apocalyptic tones and bell sound-effects signalling Metallica had well and truly arrived.
Fuel incorporated pyrotechnics, putting warmth and smoke in our faces, themed to flaming red.
Explaining Metallica’s sound, I’d say – raw, emotive, warts and all full-noise with plenty of aggression, energy and interaction. A garage band at heart, with a love of riffs and songs that have probably explained their appeal and popularity.
The faces of Metallica are by now quite familiar. Frontman James Hetfield was in fine form, and in friendly mode as he talked about having the greatest job in the world, and giving the utmost respect to their fans, calling them all-inclusive as part of the Metallica family.
Moth Into Flame with its addiction themes and enticing neon signs framing the stage came off like Vegas on ‘roids. There were nods to Amy Winehouse, and although unspoken, something of Hetfield’s journey in there too.
Metallica gives you heavy baby! cued the crunching Sad But True, with Trujillo’s super-chunky bass, set at industrial level.
Speaking of signatures – Nothing Else Matters followed, galvanizing the quartet to rise even further.
Seek & Destroy, off debut Kill ‘Em All, ripped- recalling the influence of Motorhead. It signalled a rollout of giant black and yellow beach balls, keeping in step with their current colour trend, and Lars’ Tama drumkit.
The show-stopper numbers rolled out one after another, which meant we were nearing the end. One triggered red lasers reflected onto the twin stadium roofs, as military troops marched in silhouette form on the screens.
Metallica’s songs are often lengthy, and Ulrich played with time often as the band moved and weaved along with him.
Hammett wailed throughout, his Satriani inspired tutelage leading him on to becoming one of Metal’s most dependable guitarists. Hetfield played rhythm guitar, so it was always there and solid. Trujillo attacked his strings and sounded as phat as ever, and Ulrich provided the heart in the centre.
Last gig of the world tour, and Hammett was pummelled with confetti streamers by the road crew for his birthday. They said they wouldn’t do it, but they did. He was in no position to play another song – covered head to toe.
The Metallica juggernaut is well and healthy, and most on track. What’s the present perception? Some kind of monster still roams among us!
Mike Beck
Photography by Leonie Moreland
Metallica
Evanescence
Suicidal Tendencies
Setlists
Metallica
Creeping Death
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Fuel
Cyanide
The Unforgiven
Wherever I My Roam
I Got You (Split Enz) Don’t Forget Your Roots (Six60)
The Day That Never Comes
Moth into Flame
Sad but True
Nothing Else Matters
Seek & Destroy
Lux Æterna
Master of Puppets
One
Enter Sandman
Evanescence
Afterlife
Made of Stone
Going Under
Take Cover
The Game Is Over
Lithium
Wasted on You
Better Without You
Call Me When You’re Sober
Imaginary
Use My Voice
End Of the Dream
My Immortal
Bring Me to Life
Suicidal Tendencies
You Can’t Bring Me Down
Join the Army
Send Me Your Money
Subliminal
Adrenaline Addict
Cyco Vision
Pledge Your Allegiance