METALLICA LIVE AT GILLETTE STADIUM IN FOXBOROUGH

METALLICA LIVE AT GILLETTE STADIUM IN FOXBOROUGH

By Joe Perusse

MetallicaThe M72 World tour, with no repeat weekend, kicked off the North American leg of this summer's swing at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA. Why am I only writing about the Sunday show, you ask? Well, when I bought the tickets for both Metallica shows November 2022 I had no way of knowing that my oldest son Garrett would be taking Laura as his bride in Ohio that Saturday. Doing something with my kids is probably one of the few things that should take precedence over a show close to home.

I checked on the day after the wedding and when Garrett said no, Jagger's brother, my frequent concert partner, and I looked for a flight to take us back in time. To make an already special weekend even better Metallica he put on an amazing show. I've heard from people who were there both nights that it was the better of the two. For me it definitely was.

Metallica I started the set with a trio of old school songs, 'Whiplash', 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and one of my favorites 'Ride the Lightning'. James Hetfield (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar) who celebrated his birthday the day before, along with yours truly, said hello in Boston. Commenting he didn't even know which album was off, but he was sure people did “Until It Sleeps” followed.

Spreading across the circular stage, it was now time for a drum change as Lars Ulrich (Drums) switched kit positions. The one mosh pit I could see growing for two songs from the new album 72 seasons“Lux AEterna” and “Screaming Suicide”. Hetfield and Ulrich left the stage as Rob Trujillo (Bass) and Kirk Hammett (Lead Guitar) took over their nightly doodle. Tonight was a big surprise as Trujillo also took over on vocals as the duo covered Neil Diamond's “Sweet Caroline.” They also teased the audience
with the opening riff of The Shandells' “Dirty Water” playing to the Boston audience.

“Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” featured a video of madhouse mannequins playing airplanes. During “Wherever I May Roam”, Trujillo took to a small circular platform and wandered over the heads of fans in the Snake Pit, the tight circle of the stage. After another drum roll, the band all stuck together for a killer metal instrumental 'The Call of Ktulu' Hetfield called out former bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a tour bus accident in 1986, saying “ We miss you, Cliff.”

The mammoth power ballad “The Unforgiven” features both Hetfield's vocals and guitar. Next was the longest song Metallica performed at the “Inamorata” concert that prompted Hetfield to inform the audience that he may be old, but they're still kicking. The drums rolled for the last time of the night and next was “Blackened”, also the title of the band's signature whiskey. The first fireworks of the evening appeared for “Moth Into Flame”.

The band took a short break before returning for a two-song encore. With the sound of machine guns and bombs dropping “One” also took full advantage of the fireworks. Closing out the night, just like Mariano Rivera used to do, was “Enter Sandman” who also unleashed giant beach balls into the crowd.

The only downside to the evening was that the weather affected the start of the night. Ice Nine Kills, which was scheduled to go on first, was cut entirely and Five Finger Death Punch was cut to 30 minutes. But let's face it, people were there to see the Strong Metallica and they certainly delivered.

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