Metallica Unleashed a Hauntingly Powerful “One” Under the Tampa Night Sky in 2025

First thing’s first: Metallica stormed into Tampa on June 8 as part of their M72 World Tour, kicking off the set at 8:45 PM with an electrifying version of “Whiplash,” followed by “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Ride the Lightning.” That opening trio came roaring out like a jet engine—thrash titans reminding fans why they’ve reigned supreme in stadiums since the ’80s. Astonishingly, the show ran for around 2 hours and 15 minutes, a perfect balance of power and tighter pacing for a festival-style evening.

By the time they arrived at track 17, “One” hit like a sonic bomb. The band had already covered forty years of music—from “Leper Messiah” to “Lux Æterna”—so when James Hetfield’s haunting intro began, it felt like the entire stadium collective exhaled. This song, rooted in anti-war narrative, has long been their emotional centerpiece, and Tampa’s crowd knew it would crush hard tonight.

Hetfield’s vocals during “One” were both fierce and vulnerable, retracing the ghosts of their 1988 …And Justice for All album. He has maintained that growl and melancholy on stage for decades. This version felt rawer than usual—possibly because the band was on a No‑Repeat Weekend: they would never play the same song twice during their two dates at Raymond James.

During the haunting slow buildup, Kirk Hammett sliced through the tension with his unforgettable tone. His solos on “One” have always been prized by fans, and in Tampa they soared with precision. They weren’t just notes; they were lifelines connecting each listener to Cliff Burton’s tragic legacy, since conservation of Burton’s original bass tracks gave the song those timeless echoes.

Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich locked into an earthquake groove during the machine‑gun double‑bass parts. Lars was solid as a metronome, a founding drummer who started pounding in 1981 when he was just 17—and he still hammered like thunder. Trujillo’s bass—low and thick—provided the foundation while acknowledging Cliff’s basslines in “Orion” earlier was one of Tampa’s standout tributes.

Fans from Reddit couldn’t stop gushing. One user posted days before the show:
“I took a lot of pics… Wished we got Bell Tolls, Fade to Black and One, but show was epic.”
Clearly, anticipation was sky-high for “One”—and once it arrived, they got more than they hoped for.

As the verse “Darkness imprisoning me…” rolled through the crowd, thousands raised arms in unison. The stadium’s massive crowd became their own chorus. Tampa Bay’s night sky glittered overhead as stage lights cut through the darkness—creating a dramatic backdrop matching the song’s chilling message, delivering an anthem both brutal and solemn.

The middle instrumental crescendo landed like tectonic plates colliding. It was the kind of moment Metallica mastered in the ’90s but still scream‑refreshing in 2025. The layered guitar harmonies, threaded between Kirk’s talented solos, felt almost spiritual—powerful enough to make even casual fans stop mid‑mosh to witness something transcendent.

People further back in the bowl often commented that they felt the bass in their ribs and heard every pick scrape from Hetfield’s guitar. One long‑time Tampa fan said later it was “better than being at the Dome back in ’92”—a nod to the legendary live shows of that bygone era. It’s the timeless Metallica effect.

Production-wise, the in‑the‑round stage, with Snake Pit center stage, gave “One” an immersive quality. Fans close up were literally surrounded by the swirling lights and heavy volume. Snake Pit access tickets reportedly sold out fast—with one-day types granting fans access to just one of the two shows.

Just a song before “One,” Trujillo and Hammett surprised the audience with a stripped-down cover of “Pull the Plug” by Florida death‑metal pioneers Death. That snippet was a local homage, and Terry Butler (a member of Death) even praised it on Facebook—calling it “pretty damn cool.” That moment built up to “One,” showing the band’s deep roots in metal and their constant nods to the underground.

As “One” closed, the crowd exploded back into the haunting outro and final machine‑gun barrage. The roar afterward lasted long enough that Hetfield paused before kicking into “Enter Sandman.” Tampa echoed with applause and cheers, lingering like a standing ovation for a silent classical performance.

That viral clip making rounds on YouTube today—showing the final moments of “One” and the uproar afterward—has already surpassed 100k views. Fans call it “one of the mightiest performances I’ve ever seen.” One video title reads: “Metallica One, Enter Sandman 7 Concert Tampa Bay 6/8/2025,” proving how electrifying the moment was.

This rendition of “One” was one of two during the weekend; the other was on June 6. But the June 8 performance had a particular chemistry: Tampa crowds, reunions, and that cover doodle all fed into a crescendo. The No‑Repeat Weekend dates added extra adrenaline—knowing you might never hear it again live.

For Lars and James, both in their early sixties, performing a complex piece like “One” with full force is a testament to decades of discipline. Their energy matches decades‑younger bands. Critics note Metallica consistently ranks in the top 5% of live acts—and this weekend was no exception.

When the show ended with “Enter Sandman,” fans left buzzing. Many agreed it was Tampa’s best Metallica concert in years. Reviews in the local press referred to this night as a stadium-shaking event with major emotional and sonic resonance.

Tampa, June 8, 2025, will be remembered not just as a concert, but as an electric evening where Metallica reaffirmed their legacy—delivering a powerhouse “One” that combined history, emotion, musicianship, and pure metal energy.