Metallica, never afraid of spectacle, made a mammoth debut at the Las Vegas Sphere last night (October 1). Operating in four parts in front of the hall’s giant curved screen, they opened their doors with Puppet Master the classic “Battery” to kick off an 18-song set spanning their 1983 thrash-metal debut Kill them all to their most recent album, 2023 72 seasons. The graphics included imposing tombstones, elliptical stained glass windows, and a multi-dimensional depiction of Lovecraftian Chthulu during the Ride the lightning song “The Call of Ktulu”. Watch footage of this and more, and check out the setlist below.
In contrast to the playful neon exterior, the giant screen displayed images of “nooses, crosses, flooded landscapes, ruined buildings and other images that seemed taken from a succession of horror films.” Chronicle of San Francisco notes in a journal. James Hetfield said from the stage: “For modern technology and old guys playing loud music, I have to say it’s pretty awesome.”
Last night’s show was the first of 24 performances scheduled at the 20,000-capacity venue through March 2027. The shows, which take place every Thursday and Saturday, are billed as “no-rehearsal weekends,” with no overlap between each week’s setlists.
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