Metallica – US Bank Stadium – Minneapolis MN – August 16th 2024

Metallica with Pantera and Mammoth WVH – US Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN  August 16th, 2024

Presented by Live Nation

The Metallica M72 World Tour took over Minneapolis the weekend of August 16th-18th, including spin off pop-up concerts and a Ross Halfin book signing, and culminating with two “No Repeat” monster shows at the US Bank Stadium.  The weekend was not only a monumental concert experience, but a full-city immersive takeover adventure. 

Friday night’s concert was started off with Mammoth WVH.  Fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen, son of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, Mammoth has forged their own path in the music world, with a unique rock sound blending a more contemporary and alternative sound into a heavy rock style.  The in-the-round stage setup gave them a unique opportunity to play to all sides of the arena, with Wolfgang delivering his characteristic riffs to the full floor crowd.  Guitarists Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan and bassist Ronnie Ficaro were all over the massive stage with great energy and showmanship for a great start to the show.

Pantera had already warned Minneapolis up to their presence, with a sold-out show the previous night at the iconic First Avenue in Minneapolis.  Their US Bank stadium performance built on this energy and Phil Anselmo launched into a high intensity set, full of fury and power.  They also maximized use of the massive stage setup, with drummer Charlie Benante alternating between kits on either side of the stage.  With both kits adorned with a memorial tribute to Vinnie Paul, Benante does an admirable job of filling this seemingly irreplacable hole in the band, with class and exceptional playing in his own unique style. 

Zakk Wylde is also a great asset to the newly re-formed group, bringing his ledendary sound and playing to the classic Pantera songs.  The group also honored Vinne Paul and Dimebag Darrell with a video tribute following “I’m Broken”.  Together with founding member Rex Brown, they ended their performance with “Cowboys from Hell” for what was a powerful and moving performance.

With the energy high and the stadium packed, Metallica took the stage after an AC/DC intro track, with the fog and lights filling the arena.  Opening with “Creeping Death”, they centered around Lars Ulrich’s M72 yellow kit and powered into their set.  As they followed that up with “Harvester of Sorrow”, they spread out around the massive, circular stage, often playing to lucky attendees in the “snake pit” in the center.  James Hetfield’s voice was powerful and impeccable, and Kirk Hammell and Robert Trujillo had amazing energy and stage presence.

They were every bit in the moment of each aspect of the performance and giving their all, and seemingly just having the time of their lives doing it.   Their night 1 set included the tour named hit “72 Seasons” and crowd favorites “Fade to Black” and “Nothing Else Matters”.  The power of their energy was unmistakable, and clearly a unforgettable experience for the crowd as they closed with “Master of Puppets”.  It was a monumental performance to start an epic and extraordinary weekend Metallica take-over in the Twin Cities. 

Review and photos by Kate Klaus