Review Val Tapia
Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Live Nation (https://www.livenation.com/ )
Venue: State Farm Stadium (https://www.statefarmstadium.com/ )
Date: Friday September 1st, 2023
Tour: M72 World Tour
For the legions of Metallica fans across Arizona, the wait was finally over. The beloved metal act announced a new album, 72 Seasons, and a new tour to support it late last year.
The word was officially out that Metallica would play two shows in the same city… playing stadiums. Not just two shows, mind you. It was two shows with two completely different set lists. Hence, the tour is also referred to the No Repeat Weekend.
On paper, it sounds like a very cool idea. Implementing that idea was something else entirely I imagine. Given that, I applaud them for wanting to do something unique to celebrate four decades as a band. The other side of it is that there are some fans who can only afford to go to one show, so it’s a tough choice they have to make.
On the first night, I think it’s fair to say that most Metallica fans felt that they got their money’s worth. Until the end of the show that is— more on that later.
It was a pretty cool stage setup. Metallica have decided to go “in-the-round” for the M72 trek. Overall though, it could be argued that this type of stage works better in an arena than it does in a stadium. That said, it’s still a very ambitious undertaking. To that point, perhaps Metallica is the ideal band to make it work.
The show on Friday night kicked off with a bang as Creeping Death came blaring out of the amps. Needless to say, it met with many roars of approval from the multi-generational audience at Cardinals Stadium. Yes, I still call it that, because that’s exactly what it is. But I digress.
The second song, Harvester of Sorrow (from 1988’s …And Justice For All), was also well-received. The band (consisting of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist James Hetfield, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, bassist Robert Trujillo, and drummer Lars Ulrich) seemed to be in great spirits, and overall were firing on all cylinders. The metal towers surrounding the stage consisted of (I believe) eight video screens.
While the visuals overall were a plus, with Metallica, the music always does the talking. And rightly so I might add.
For 1991’s self-titled album Metallica, they decided to go a little deeper with Holier Than Thou. From the section I was sitting at, I saw quite a few jaws drop. It’s always cool to see that kind of response from the diehard fans— of any band for that matter.
In short order, there’s always room for obscure songs here and there in a setlist, no matter how many “hits” a band or artist has—period!
From there, it’s King Nothing (from 1996’s Load), followed by the first new songs performed from 72 Seasons: Lux AEterna and Too Far Gone? Everything considered, the new songs went over pretty well. Which is a good thing— it’s always a positive when veteran artists continue releasing new music.
Next, both Hammett and Trujillo got a little spotlight time and played a three-minute “jam” called Cactus and Grafitti… specifically for Glendale– so they said. That led into the Ride The Lightning live staple Fade To Black from 1984. Toward the middle, Hetfield then poignantly addressed the audience to “Please talk to someone” if they’re feeling depressed. Then added… “You’re not alone.”
One more song from 72 Seasons, Shadows Follow, was played prior to two more tunes (Nothing Else Matters and Sad But True, respectively) from the mega-selling Metallica album.
The night concluded with Hardwired (from 2016’s Hardwired…To Self-Destruct), a pyro-intense Fuel (from 1998’s Reload), and the Kill ‘Em All main set closer Seek and Destroy. Yellow-and-black oversized beach balls were tossed out that unfortunately didn’t reach my section. But it was a kick to watch nonetheless.
Perhaps the coolest visual of the night were flashes of ticket stubs on the screen from past Metallica shows in the Valley. I immediately noticed the stub from Metallica’s very first show here— as an opening act for W.A.S.P. in March 1985 at a place then called Palace West Theatre.
By the way, Armored Saint was originally on the bill as well. However, they reportedly pulled out of the show at the last minute.
In case anybody’s wondering, the buzz in junior high school the next day was that Metallica pretty much mopped the stage with W.A.S.P. But that’s another story I suppose.
Looking back, printing an unknown opening act’s name on tickets in the 1980s wasn’t very common at the time. Or at least, not on the ticket stubs that I’ve kept over the years.
Interestingly, now comes the problem with the first night. After Seek and Destroy, the band took an unusually long “bow”, if you will. They threw out picks from all around the circular stage— to the fans delight of course— taking in the love from the loyal Metallica fans.
Then, the stadium house lights came on. No encores were played— resulting in the loudest chorus of boos I’ve heard from a live concert audience in recent years.
The two songs that were reportedly dropped from the set (according to fans online who had seen previous shows) were The Day That Never Comes and Master of Puppets, respectively. Forgoing the latter in particular shocked many in the crowd.
The next day, fans found out the reason why the show ended prematurely. It was reported on social media that Hetfield seemed to be having vocal issues that night, which honestly, I didn’t even notice during the (inadvertently) condensed 105-minute set.
It also turned out that Hetfield tested positive for COVID-19, perhaps later that night or early the next morning. As a result, Metallica was forced to reschedule the Sept. 3 show to Sat. Sept. 9. Tickets from the original Sept. 3 date will be honored for the new date, again on Sept. 9. Wishing a speedy recovery for Hetfield.
I should add that openers Pantera and Mammoth WVH were solid overall. However— make no mistake: Pantera‘s return to the stage in 2023 is not a “reunion”. For all intents and purposes, it’s a new incarnation of Pantera. However, it’s a decent lineup that indeed won over the majority of the crowd Friday night with an hour-long, 11-song set.
Speaking candidly, it was very bittersweet and somewhat melancholy for me. With much respect to lead guitarist Zakk Wylde (in for the late “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott) and drummer Charlie Benante (in for the late Vinnie Paul) stepping up to the plate, it just wasn’t the same to me. My opinion, mind you.
To their credit though, both Wylde and Benante did a respectable job with the material. I’m sincerely thrilled for the fans who were seeing Pantera for the first time— and enjoyed it strictly on its own merits. I’m happy for them.
As for Mammoth WVH, the crowd was pretty receptive to their brief six-song set. I applaud lead vocalist and guitarist Wolfgang Van Halen for working hard to forge his own musical path. His dad, yes, the late Eddie Van Halen would indeed be proud of him. I think Mammoth WVH will be around for a while. Best of luck to them.
The final verdict for Metallica‘s M72 tour, you might ask? Four out of five stars— they still deliver the goods live even after 40 years. And hopefully— a few more years down the road.
Metallica
Photos by Fred Kuhlman 2023, All Rights Reserved
Pantera
Photos by Fred Kuhlman 2023, All Rights Reserved
Mammoth WVH
Photos by Fred Kuhlman 2023, All Rights Reserved
