Metallica Unleashed Relentless Fury with “Creeping Death” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” in Atlanta 2025
On June 3, 2025, Metallica stormed into Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a one-night stop on their M72 World Tour. With a capacity crowd of diehard fans, the band delivered a punishing 16-song set that reached deep into their catalog, balancing old-school thrash with new-era intensity.
They opened with “Creeping Death,” instantly sending a jolt of electricity through the audience. The song’s call-and-response breakdown had the entire stadium shouting “Die!” in unison, a tradition that’s followed Metallica since the 1980s and still feels just as intense today.
Next came “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” with Rob Trujillo’s thunderous bassline echoing through the venue. The band delivered it with crushing precision, and the crowd roared as Lars Ulrich pounded out the militant rhythm that made this track a staple of every Metallica live show.
“Cyanide,” a more modern cut from the 2008 album Death Magnetic, followed with a dose of complex structure and raw power. While not as historic as the early songs, it held its own in the set, and longtime fans appreciated its dark lyrics and technical guitar work.
Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo took a break from the heavy setlist to deliver a local tribute, performing a bluesy instrumental nod to Georgia’s own Allman Brothers Band with “One Way Out.” It was a surprising and welcome interlude that showed the band’s appreciation for musical history.
Returning to their own classics, Metallica launched into “King Nothing,” a ‘90s anthem that fans once debated but now sing with pride. The massive chorus echoed across the stadium, with Hetfield’s snarling vocals cutting through the air like a whip.
Two songs from their 2023 album 72 Seasons—“Lux Æterna” and “If Darkness Had a Son”—demonstrated the band’s commitment to pushing forward creatively. The crowd embraced the new material with raised fists and circle pits, showing that Metallica’s new era is alive and thriving.
A heartfelt performance of “Orion” brought the pace down and the emotion up. The instrumental served as a touching tribute to late bassist Cliff Burton, and many fans closed their eyes and simply listened, letting the music speak louder than words ever could.
Then came “Fuel,” which lived up to its name by lighting a fire under the stadium. Flames shot from the stage, and the adrenaline was undeniable as the band roared through the high-speed track with maximum force.
When the first notes of “Nothing Else Matters” rang out, a sea of lights appeared across the venue. Couples hugged, fans swayed, and Hetfield’s clean vocal delivery reminded everyone of the band’s range beyond just metal aggression.
“Sad but True” brought the heavy back, anchoring the set with its slow, grinding groove. It’s one of the band’s most crowd-friendly songs, and the audience leaned into every beat with headbanging synchronicity that shook the stands.
“One” followed, and the atmosphere shifted to haunting silence. The iconic battlefield sound effects, the whispered lyrics, and the eventual eruption into double-kick chaos turned the performance into a cinematic experience. No matter how many times they play it, “One” always lands like a hammer.
“Seek & Destroy” took the energy back to the band’s roots. The entire stadium joined in shouting the title, and the raw energy of Metallica’s early years surged to the surface. It was a masterclass in how a song can age without losing its bite.
“Master of Puppets” brought a towering climax to the show, with its complex structure, social commentary, and explosive power. The crowd was relentless, mirroring every rhythm shift and tempo change like they’d rehearsed it for weeks.
And finally, “Enter Sandman” closed the night with a bang. Its instantly recognizable riff triggered a full eruption of excitement, with pyro, fireworks, and the entire band giving everything they had left. It was the perfect exclamation point to a night that spanned decades of sonic dominance.