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After seeing Metallica perform in the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2020s, Rochester resident Mike Moyer has a good grasp on the timeless metal band’s progression over the years. If you take it from him, Metallica hasn’t lost their grandeur since their prime.

“ They’re the only band that I know that still sounds as good today as it did 30 years ago,” Moyer said.

Metallica returned to Syracuse on Saturday for the first time since their 1996 Lollapalooza headliner at the New York State Fairgrounds. As part of their M72 world tour, the band performed for the first time in the JMA Wireless Dome and was accompanied by fellow metal bands Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera.

Even with the clouds dampening Syracuse University’s campus, heavy metal could be heard blasting from the top of the Orange Hall parking lot and Mount Olympus as fans made their way to the Dome. Many dressed in all black, with some sporting ripped T-shirts while others wore jackets with patchworks of various metal bands. It was an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere hours before Metallica stepped on stage.

As attendees entered the Dome, they were greeted with eight circular panels supported by tall scaffolding, outlining the stage’s unique track-and-field setup called the “Snake Pit.” Holding roughly 1000 people, the “Snake Pit” has been a staple of Metallica’s concerts since 1983, allowing attendees to get an up-close-and-personal look into the band’s performance.

Suicidal Tendencies started the night with high energy. Band members sprinted around “The Snake Pit” while performing songs “You Can’t Bring Me Down” and “Adrenaline Addict.” Halfway through their performance, lead singer Mike Muir told the crowd, “Live however you want to live,” before transitioning into “Freedumb.”

After Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera performed, audiences were pumped for Metallica’s show. As the lights dropped, Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” blared (Metallica has started their shows this way since 1983). While the crescendos of the song hit, Metallica walked out of the tunnel, and the crowd thundered.

Since their first performance in 1982 in Radio City Music Hall, Metallica has become one of the longest-touring bands. On Saturday, the heavy metal band performed at the JMA Wireless Dome for the first time ever, covering hits like “Sad But True” and “Enter Sandman.” Maxine Brackbill | Senior Staff Photographer

Since their first performance in 1982 in Radio City Music Hall, Metallica’s became one of the longest-touring bands. For many concert-goers who grew up during the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Metallica concert was a chance to look back to when the band was starting off.

Gina Grudier, 51, has attended concerts since her teenage years. While she hasn’t gone to as many concerts lately, seeing Metallica caused her to reminisce on her life journey.

“To me, Metallica reminds me of my youth and growth,” Grudier said. “Even if you’re old, you can still bring it.”

Following the climax of “The Ecstasy of Gold,” drummer Lars Ulrich struck his cymbals four times to transition into “Creeping Death.” The lights turned red as lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield performed the first song of the night with the powerful guitars, drums and bass accompanying him. The audience threw their fists in the air and began headbanging non-stop.

“Creeping Death” was followed by performances of “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “King Nothing” and, from their newest album, “Lux Æterna” and “Screaming Suicide.”

Guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo shifted to center stage as they prepared for a duet of “Broken, Beat & Scarred.” Before the duet, Trujillo joked about the unusual Syracuse weather before promising the audience a “raw and honest performance.”

Standing face-to-face, the two performed as a tribute to former bassist Cliff Burton, who died in 1986. The two members complemented each other in an intense song with the raw honesty Trujillo promised.

After “Broken, Beat & Scarred,” the band performed “The Day That Never Comes,” “Fuel” and “Orion” in a mostly instrumental portion of the show. The band smoothly transitioned to a more tender sound for “Nothing Else Matters,” a slower-paced hit compared to their usual head-thrashing music.

At the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday night, Metallica lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield performed the first song of the night, “Creeping Death.” During the performance, crowd surfers made their way across the audience and people threw their fists in the air. Maxine Brackbill | Senior Staff Photographer

As the song ended, Hetfield strummed his guitar for a solo. Hetfield slowly knelt down and leaned forward while the crowd cheered his name. Cheers erupted on both sides as Hetfield surveyed the audience on how long they’ve been fans.

“You’re officially part of the Metallica family, whether you like it or not,” Hetfield said.

Jarrin Sperry introduced his son, Ryan Verble, to Metallica when he was a child. Six years later, the father and son traveled from Erie, Pennsylvania to celebrate Verble’s 18th birthday early by officially inducting him into the Metallica family, a dream that meant a lot to Verble.

“ I’ve always been an AC/DC fan, but  I introduced him to Metallica when he was 11 or 12,” Sperry said. “He’s way more into metal than I ever was as a kid.”

The band continued to play a series of their most recognized songs, such as “Sad But True,” “Seek & Destroy” and “Master of Puppets.” Trujillo was lifted across the “Snake Pit” and crowd surfers made their way across the audience before the band closed the night with their most popular song, “Enter Sandman.”

The stadium flashed red and blue as the audience sang along to the hit song. The audience overpowered Hetfield’s voice throughout the song, a loud ending to the band’s performance in Syracuse.

“ I always had a special place in my heart for them and they always motivated me to want to change the world,” Verble said. “They’ve done so much for the world and I want to do the same.”

Published on April 20, 2025 at 10:09 pm