Metallica launches Sphere residency — PHOTOS AND SETLIST
There was a time when Las Vegas wasn’t cool enough for hard rock residencies. But today, the city is cool enough for Metallica. As frontman James Hetfield said Thursday night, “This is a dream come true and beyond. You took the time to come here and see us and enjoy this beautiful moment. After 45 years, there is still much fun to be had.”
The thrash metal legends have kicked off their 24-show “Life Burns Faster” Sphere series. All seats were filled, the general admission section pogo-danced and video burst with the band’s vivid lyrical interpretations.
That includes a slot machine spanning the LED screen, with the band in grainy 1980s-style pixilation. Metallica flipped the crowd shot in the early moments, their backs to the live crowd as they opened with “Battery,” “Creep” and “Dead.”
The classic lineup of singer-rhythm guitarist Hetfield, bassist Robert Trujillo, lead guitarist Kirk Hammet and drummer Lars Ulrich has produced a “No Repeat Weekend” format, not duplicating any songs from the Thursday and Saturday shows.
Ahead of their 45th anniversary at the end of this month, the musicians were tight and played in close proximity to each other. Absent any set design (no Brian Emo-designed turntable for these guys), they worked the edges of the doughnut-shaped stage encircling the GA section.
The stage was so sparsely appointed, this could have been a garage band playing inside an actual garage. Not a criticism. Merely an observation.
The fans standing in that section got a throwback Metallica concert from the ’80s or ’90s. The farther back you were seated, the more Sphere-colored spectacle you observed.
Fans were also fast to notice, shown massively on the screens, a new jet-black streak through Hetfield’s silver hair. Expect this look to be mimicked by the 60-somethings among the band’s devotees.
And owing to Metallica’s eponymous album from 1991 (universally referred to as “The Black Album”), black still dominates the group’s dress code. It was even evident in the dark wave of attire entering the venue.
A Metallica show is the antithesis of the Backstreet Boys’ white-clad legions. The colors were muted, but the mood high as Metallica powered through the following set list:
— “Battery” — The explosive launch of the 1986 classic “Master of Puppets.”
— “Creeping Death”: The lead single from their second studio album, 1984’s “Ride the Lightning.”
— “Now That We’re Dead”: A single from their 10th studio album, 2017’s “Hardwired … to Self-Destruct.”
— “Sad But True”: Forever a crowd favorite from “The Black Album.”
— “The Shortest Straw”: The fifth track on 1988’s “… And Justice for All.”
— “Wherever I May Roam”: Fifth track from “Puppets,” released as a single in ’92.
— “Nothing Else Matters”: Power ballad from “The Black Album” still packs a punch; the band tucked it into the middle of the opening night set.
— “The Call of Ktulu”: Epic, nearly nine-minute instrumental from “Ride the Lightning.” The band honored its late bassist Cliff Burton, with Hetfield announcing, “In honor of our fallen brother, Mr. Clifford Lee Burton. We love you, and we miss you, brother.”
— “Lux Æterna”: A thrasher from 2023’s “72 Seasons.”
— “Ride the Lightning:” The 6½-minute odyssey from the album of the same name.
— “Memory”: As eerie as ever, from 1997’s “Reload.”
— “Seek & Destroy”: A pioneering metal track from the 1983 debut, “Kill ’Em All.”
— “Master of Puppets”: Or, simply, “Puppets.” Another tour de force, 8½ minutes of drug addiction, as related by the drug itself. Three-times platinum. “Chop your breakfast on a mirror” is still jarring.
We suggest fans build a playlist from the first night. None of these songs will be performed Saturday. But the color scheme will be unchanged.
They did the funny
Hetfield has been hitting the scene, casually. The 63-year-old superstar took in Carlos Mencia’s set, with Gabe Lopez as opener, at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club on Wednesday. His arrival was so nonchalant, even venue operator Damian Costa was unaware of the visit until Thursday night.
Lopez posted Thursday, “Last night was one I’ll never forget. The night before starting his residency at The Sphere, James Hetfield, the lead singer of @metallica came to @kimmelscomedyclub because he’s a huge fan of stand-up comedy and a fan of @carlosmencia. After the show, our sound guy comes to the greenroom saying ‘the lead singer of Metallica wants to meet you guys!’
“He actually told me that he came to see Carlos, and became a fan of mine!!! I’m still on cloud 9!!
“I told him all about @dirtyat1230 and he said he’s off on Fridays during his residency and he’ll be coming soon!
“Sometimes life doesn’t suck!” Which is the title of something.
Rock this Hard
The Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip is hosting a Metallica pop-up. This experience has really urgent “pop,” as it was announced Wednesday and opened at 1 p.m. Thursday.
No matter.
A collection of rare Metallica memorabilia is displayed with a photo exhibit by Jeffery Newbury, who photographed the band during the release of its self-titled 1991 record, “The Black Album.”
The pop-up will give fans a chance to explore Metallica’s 45-year history through rare artifacts, including handwritten lyrics, instruments and signed memorabilia A happy hour is offered 1-4 p.m. through Sunday during show weekends. The “Seek & Enjoy” drinks honor Metallica’s song “Seek and Destroy” with a quartet of cocktails inspired by the band’s legendary song titles.
Metallica-themed weddings, vow renewals and photo ops are offered.
The collection of Metallica memorabilia includes:
— Jason Newsted’s custom-made GMP bass guitar, owned and played by Newsted and covered with his hand-drawn artwork and signature
— Ulrich’s handwritten lyrics for “Seek and Destroy,” written during the recording of the song
— Hetfield’s “Greatest Guitar Moment and Arena Poll,” featuring his account of a memorable guitar-smashing moment and his answers about other musicians he likes.
—- A Metallica-signed Hard Rock Cafe Copenhagen T-shirt, signed by the band while visiting that cafe location.
— A five-times platinum Metallica CD award presented to Elektra Records commemorating more than 5 million copies sold.
— A brown Gibson Explorer signed by Hetfield on the pickguard.
— Hammett’s 1985 Gibson Flying V, which he owned and used during Metallica’s Nov. 18, 2008, performance of “Master of Puppets” in Tulsa, Oklahoma, including a small bit of shaving cream residue from the birthday celebration that followed the show.
Go to cafe.hardrock.com/las-vegas more intel, hours and additional teases.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
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