Metallica kicked off the North American leg of their 2023-2024 “M72 World Tour” on Friday (August 4th) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame band was joined on the invoice by fellow metallic legends Pantera and rising rockers Mammoth WVH (led by Wolfgang Van Halen).

The tour (get tickets right here) options Metallica performing two utterly distinctive units (no repeat songs) over two nights in every metropolis, with completely different assist acts every night. They’ll be proper again at MetLife on Sunday (August sixth), with 5 Finger Demise Punch and Ice 9 Kills opening.

The setup has the bands performing within the spherical, on a round stage in the midst of the stadium, with some followers within the “Snakepit” (the middle of the circle).

Whereas there was a forecast for thunderstorms on Friday evening, that by no means got here to be, making for a cushty summer time night in New Jersey. Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth WVH acquired the festivities began at 6 p.m. with a seven-song set, that includes a mixture of tunes from the outfit’s 2021 self-titled debut album and the just-released sophomore effort, Mammoth II.

The revamped Pantera lineup took the stage subsequent, with basic members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown joined by guitarist Zakk Wylde and drummer Charlie Benante, filling the legendary footwear of Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, respectively. Anselmo and firm tore via a set that was filled with favorites like “A New Degree,” “Mouth for Conflict,” “Stroll,” and “Cowboys From Hell.” In the midst of the set, a video tribute to Dime and Vinnie was soundtracked by “Cemetery Gates.”

It was then Metallica’s flip to rock the sold-out soccer stadium. James Hetfield and firm acquired issues rolling with “Creeping Demise,” adopted by “Harvester of Sorrow,” “Holier Than Thou,” and “King Nothing.” They showcased three songs from their new album, 72 Seasons, together with the title monitor, “If Darkness Had a Son,” and the stay debut of “Shadows Observe.”

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Different classics performed all through the 16-song set included “Fade to Black,” “Nothing Else Issues” (which needed to be restarted after Kirk Hammett botched the intro), “Unhappy however True,” “Battery,” and “Gas” (that includes a serious pyro show). The evening ended with the one-two punch of “Search & Destroy” and “Grasp of Puppets.”

Heavy Consequence will probably be proper again on the market on Sunday evening, so keep tuned for a extra in-depth recap of all the weekend. Within the meantime, take a look at our images from Friday evening, together with fan-filmed video footage, and the setlists for every band.

Photograph Gallery – Metallica, Pantera, and Mammoth WVH at MetLife Stadium (click on to increase and scroll via):

Metallica Setlist:
Creeping Demise
Harvester of Sorrow
Holier Than Thou
King Nothing
72 Seasons
If Darkness Had a Son (adopted by Kirk & Rob doodle)
Fade to Black
Shadows Observe (Reside debut)
Orion
Nothing Else Issues (Kirk tousled intro, track restarted)
Unhappy however True
The Day That By no means Comes
Battery
Gas
Search & Destroy
Grasp of Puppets

Pantera Setlist:
A New Degree
Mouth for Conflict
Power Past Power
Changing into (With ‘Thrones of Rejection’ outro)
I’m Damaged (With ‘By Demons Be Pushed’ outro)
Video Tribute to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul (soundtracked by “Cemetery Gates”)
5 Minutes Alone
This Love
Fucking Hostile
Stroll
Domination / Hole
Cowboys From Hell

Mammoth WVH Setlist:
Mammoth
Mr. Ed
Like a Pastime
I’m Alright
You’re to Blame
One other Celebration on the Finish of the World
Don’t Again Down