Metallica Unleashes “Enter Sandman” in L.A. — 32 Years Later, It Still Hits Like Thunder

Metallica brought the M72 World Tour to a roaring crescendo at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and when “Enter Sandman” kicked in, the atmosphere shifted from festival fever to full-blown rock ritual. Like the reunion of an old legend on home turf, it was an embrace of history and heavy metal’s enduring pulse.

The stage was set in a massive circle, snake-pit style, meaning every fan got front-row energy. The full stadium lit up as one when the iconic opening riff slithered out—no time for buildup, just instant connection between band and fan, a sonic handshake that felt electric.

Hetfield took the mic, eyes glinting under sweats; his voice boomed as he sang “Say your prayers.” Thousands chanted back in unison, a collective lullaby of adrenaline and anticipation. The power of those lyrics, repeated for decades, showed they still resonate in new ears just as hard as old fans’.

Behind him, Lars Ulrich’s four-drum-kit setup gleamed under the lights. He crashed in exactly at the right moment, his thunder driving the song forward with perfect intensity—proof that decades of showmanship still haven’t dulled his flair for explosive delivery.

James’s guitar tone has remained fierce over the years. That night, every distorted chord rang out sharp, cutting through stadium air. The mix of growl and clarity was pure Hetfield—honed in Bay Area garages but perfected on arenas like this one.

As Kirk Hammett’s solo soared, the crowd responded like a wave. Their heads bounced, arms raised, proving that despite the band’s long career, the thrill of live shredding hasn’t faded. One fan in a green zebra costume even crowd-surfed mid-solo—pure, joyful chaos.

“You feel that?” someone yelled down from the upper tier. Indeed, the stadium itself seemed to pulse in time. According to later reports, the crowd’s unified stomping during “Enter Sandman” registered as a mini seismic event—a testament to rock’s physical pull.

By the time the breakdown arrived, with its whispered “hush little baby” refrain, the crowd hushed too—like a stadium collectively drawing breath. Then the riff dropped again, and the roar returned, louder, stronger, unstoppable.

Social media exploded. Clips of the moment racked up hundreds of thousands of views within hours. Fans praised the mix, Hetfield’s command, and the band’s refusal to slow down: “They still bring it hard,” wrote one on TikTok after catching the live stream.

The song closed with fireworks and pyro—Sandman’s final breath manifesting in flares and confetti. The crowd erupted into cheers so massive they shook the stadium, and the band basked in that glow, catching their breath but never dropping the energy.

This performance capped a setlist that mixed old and new—“Whiplash,” “Ride the Lightning,” tracks from the new 72 Seasons album—proving that Metallica still bridges their past and present seamlessly, honoring legacy while evolving.

In that moment, “Enter Sandman” wasn’t just a set-ender. It was a statement: this band still owns its classics, endures energy and age, and still commands stadiums decades into a storied career.

Some fans compared the vibe to the 1992 Guns N’ Roses tour moment in Montreal—a legendary rock snapshot frozen in time. Only this time, there was no chaos, just unity, sweat, and gold-metal resolve.

Metallica’s foundation work offstage—through their charity All Within My Hands—remains robust, showing they rock with purpose. Yet onstage in L.A., it was pure five-star showmanship, roots and riffs piled high in tribute to rock’s power.

By the end of the night, many were saying this was one of the finest versions of “Enter Sandman” they’d ever heard live—both tight and furious, seasoned but youthful, familiar yet fresh.

And that’s what makes it stick: a song that defined early ’90s metal still lives, still sets hearts thumping, and still brings arenas to life. On August 27, 2023, Metallica didn’t just play—they reminded everyone why “Enter Sandman” remains a rock monolith.