Metallica Unleashes a Relentless Trilogy with “Whiplash,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and “Ride the Lightning” in Denver 2025

Metallica ripped into “Whiplash” mere minutes after stepping onto the Denver stage, instantly sending the crowd into a frenzied whirl of headbanging. The gnarly, breakneck tempo of this 1983 anthem felt fresh all over again, reminding fans that this was the sound that originally defined thrash metal. 

As soon as the first snare drum hammered in, it was clear this night would be unforgettable. The 360-degree stage design meant every fan—from the pit to the nosebleeds—could feel the full force of Lars Ulrich’s rapid-fire drumming. It was a communal assault that bonded the crowd in motion. 

Next up, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” began with its iconic bell toll intro, sending a ripple of anticipation through the stadium. When Cliff Burton’s original bass melody morphed into James Hetfield’s commanding riff, it was like the past and present collided in perfect thunder.

This track always stands as a monument to Metallica’s grappling with mortality and history—drawn from Hemingway’s novel of the same name. Hearing it live in Denver was like attending a rock sermon, where the sermon is about raw power and a roaring live audience. 

Then came “Ride the Lightning.” When Kirk Hammett’s opening chords struck, the stadium practically shuddered. A song born out of existential dread—centered around a man facing execution—yet tonight it felt cathartic, a shared release of adrenaline and tension with 76,000+ fans. 

Denver had already hosted the band before, but this June 29 show was part of the tour’s climactic finale in the city. The energy was at its peak—as one review put it, “Metallica’s Denver finale delivers Mile High metal masterclass.”

Fans online couldn’t stop raving about the drama and precision—how every note landed with cat-like accuracy and brutality. One Denver photographer described the moment as mythic, capturing Metallica like modern-day lightning gods commanding their audience. 

It wasn’t just about volume—it was about pacing. The transition from “Whiplash” to “Bell Tolls” to “Ride the Lightning” felt like a descending trilogy of impact, each song more immersive and heavy than the last. These tracks charted a journey through Metallica’s early heyday. 

Opening with a nod to classic rock, the band then descended into thrash historicity. Denver’s M72 World Tour nights were planned with two different setlists—and this night, the band leaned deep into its early ’80s catalogue for maximum nostalgic effect.

As the bell echoes and thunderous riffing carried across the field, the massive crowd moved as one organism. Thousands of metalheads clashed heads in rhythmic unity, a reminder of why live heavy metal can be such a powerful, shared ritual. 

Kirk’s solo in “Ride the Lightning” soared above the stage, twining lightning-fast runs with emotional depth. That solo spot—lingering on top of the original ’84 masterpiece—proved that Metallica’s guitar prowess remains unchallenged. Watching it live, you felt every note in your chest. 

The set wasn’t just a trip to the past—it was an immersive blackout. The state-of-the-art stage visuals and pyro came alive during these tracks. Flames slashed the night sky with every thunderous chorus, paying homage to the track’s electric themes and Denver’s altitude-charged air. 

Atmospherically, the contrast between the bell chimes of “Bell Tolls” and the cascading riffs of “Ride the Lightning” made for a breathtaking dramatic arc. It tangled literature, existential dread, and ferocious musicianship into one monumental performance. 

Beyond those three songs, the night roared on with more than two hours of setlist gold. But those iconic tracks marked high points—moments when the three-decade span of Metallica’s legacy felt compressed into a single flash of brilliance. 

Fans later shared videos of the bell intro echoing over the stadium like distant thunder—packed and wild, yet eerily synchronized. It wasn’t just a performance, it was a collective heartbeat, thumping in rhythm with the songs. 

When the guitar faded and the dust cleared after “Ride the Lightning,” the applause stretched on for minutes, reverberating across the field. Those three songs alone solidified that night as one of Metallica’s most electrifying stadium shows of the M72 era.