May 28th 2024.
Metallica, one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, made history on Sunday night in Munich, Germany by performing their longest song, Inamorata, live for the very first time. The 11-minute track, which appears on their 11th studio album 72 Seasons, had never been played in front of an audience until this tour. This momentous occasion was part of their ongoing M72 European tour, which is in support of their latest album.
Frontman James Hetfield, visibly excited, introduced the song to the crowd, as captured in fan-shot videos. “This next song, we have never, ever played live before,” Hetfield announced. “And, you know, in our band we don’t recognize the word ‘mistake,’ because there are no ‘mistakes.’ There’s just unique moments that happen, all right? That’s what we need to tell ourselves. This one is from 72 Seasons. It’s one of my favorites, so I’m gonna like it.”
The iconic band has been switching up their setlist every night of their tour, keeping things fresh and exciting for their fans. Each performance has featured different surprise openers, creating a unique experience for each audience. Imamorata may not be the band's longest recording, but it is their longest original song. The title of longest recording goes to Mercyful Fate, an 11:11 minute medley of covers paying homage to the Danish heavy metal band of the same name, which was featured on Metallica's 1998 compilation album Garage Inc.
The Munich performance was part of a two-night engagement in the city, with each night featuring a different setlist and opening acts. The first night was highlighted by a dramatic thunderstorm, creating a surreal and powerful backdrop as the band played their classic Master of Puppets, with lightning illuminating the sky. Metallica, founded in 1981, played alongside opening acts Architects and Mammoth WVH, led by Wolfgang Van Halen. The second night saw Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills warming up the crowd before Metallica took the stage.
In addition to Inamorata, Metallica's setlist featured staples like Creeping Death, One, and Enter Sandman, as well as other tracks from 72 Seasons such as If Darkness Had a Son and the title track. The band's dynamic setlist reflects their intent to keep performances fresh and engaging, even after more than 40 years of playing for audiences. The drums, played by Lars Ulrich, were prominently featured in the song, showcasing the band's incredible talent and energy.
Bassist Robert Trujillo shared the band's strategy behind their evolving setlists, saying, “Initially, we thought it would be really clever and exciting to open the show with an instrumental, like The Call Of Ktulu or Orion. We found that an instrumental is very powerful for the set but it sits much better in the middle of a set, it’s a chance for the fan to absorb and embrace the song. Rather than just coming out throwing a curveball at them, we would rather come out with a Whiplash or a Creeping Death, something that kind of smacks you in the face.”
Metallica's newest album, 72 Seasons, which was released last year, was their first number one album in 15 years. It is also their first collection of new material since 2016, and it quickly soared to the top spot of the UK charts. The M72 tour continues to captivate audiences across Europe, offering a mix of Metallica's iconic hits and new tracks from their latest album. With their incredible talent and dedication to putting on a show for their fans, Metallica continues to make history and solidify their place as one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.
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