METALLICA Isn’t Just Gonna Play The Hits

As far as classic bands go, Metallica‘s live sets are pretty adventurous. Sure, they’re gonna play all the hits the from ’80s and early ’90s, but they still throw plenty of new material and deeper cuts in to keep things fresh.

In a new episode of The Metallica Report, Metallica guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield reveals that he’s not interested in just becoming a legacy band that plays the hits. Which is fine – Metallica has an interesting enough catalog that playing the not-hits is still fun for everyone.

“I think the confidence, the fact that the 72 Seasons album is well-received and some of the songs that we’re playing live work and they fit seamlessly in with all the catalogue and all the albums we have. We’re not afraid of it but we’re not over indulging in it,” said Hetfield.

“We know that people wanna hear the best stuff, and you gotta challenge them to listen to the new stuff as well because we certainly don’t wanna be a legacy band that just plays the greatest hits and then that’s it, you know? It’s all part of it.”

A quick look at Setlist.FM reveals some albums are certainly favored over others – specifically St. Anger falling way behind – but Metallica still does a solid job representing their catalog live. Maybe we’ll get more Load and Reload songs live whenever those reissues finally happen.

Speaking of Metallica live, they’re bringing their M72 tour into 2025 with a handful of North American dates across April through June. A portion of proceeds from every ticket sold will go to local charities via the band’s All Within My Hands foundation. The M72 2025 tour will feature Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies as openers, as well as Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills. Tickets are available here.

4/12 Las Vegas, NV Sick New World @ Las Vegas Festival Grounds
4/19 Syracuse, NY JMA Wireless Dome (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
4/24 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
4/26 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice Nine Kills)
5/1 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
5/3 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice Nine Kills)
5/7 Blacksburg, VA Lane Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
5/9 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium
5/11 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium
5/23 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice Nine Kills)
5/25 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
5/28 Landover, MD Northwest Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
5/31 Charlotte, NC Bank of America Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
6/3 Atlanta, GA Mercedes-Benz Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
6/6 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice Nine Kills)
6/8 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
6/14 Houston, TX NRG Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
6/20 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice Nine Kills)
6/22 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
6/27 Denver, CO Empower Field at Mile High (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice Nine Kills)
6/29 Denver, CO Empower Field at Mile High (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)