Metallica Brought Thunder and Elegance with a Spellbinding “No Leaf Clover” in Columbus 2025

When the lights dimmed at Historic Crew Stadium on May 11, 2025, a hush fell over the tens of thousands of fans gathered for Sonic Temple’s closing night. Metallica had already crushed previous shows, but the anticipation reached fever pitch as montage visuals faded and the band counted in their first notes of “No Leaf Clover.” The stage production was cinematic—spotlights swirling, fog creeping across the stage floor—transforming the festival grounds into their own dramatic concert film.

“Creeping Death” and “Harvester of Sorrow” earlier in the set were the perfect thrash-heavy opener, but “No Leaf Clover” felt like a cinematic interlude—almost an orchestral reboot in the middle of the M72 World Tour spectacle. This orchestral-meets-metal number was originally born from the S&M sessions with the San Francisco Symphony in 1999. Hearing it live in a stadium nearly 25 years later felt like the band had come full circle, showcasing their bold, genre-defying spirit.

The sonic landscape during “No Leaf Clover” was breathtaking. James Hetfield’s voice cut through the orchestration, while Kirk Hammett’s solo soared on ethereal wings. Suddenly, the explosive arrival of final bars brought half a dozen pyro bursts from stage left, lighting up the sky in rivulets of fire that reflected off rain-streaked stadium seats—Columbus gave back every ounce of energy the band poured in.

Longtime headbanger Steve, who estimates he’s caught Metallica over 30 times since the early ‘90s, later admitted this performance of Clover ranks in his top five ever. Considering the band’s notorious inconsistency in delivering ballad‑silver moments live, Columbus was clearly special. Steve’s excitement wasn’t isolated; the collective roar at the song’s climax echoed around the venue like a thunderstorm.

It wasn’t just nostalgia that made this rendition shine: Hetfield threw in a nod to the song’s origins by briefly referencing the classical overture before the distorted rhythms kicked in. The audience ate it up—especially fans who knew the rich backstory of Metallica collaborating with orchestras. That moment felt like a wink from the band, acknowledging the decades that had passed since they first stepped out of their thrash roots.

Setlist.fm’s report confirmed the sequence: “No Leaf Clover” came after “Kirk and Rob Doodle,” that playful jam into “Hang on Sloopy,” then Cedar Rapids ’99’s orchestral anthem. That arrangement sequence underlined the band’s playful mood that night—mixing improvisational elements with deep-thrust classics. The doodle segment didn’t just provide a moment of communal fun, it primed the crowd emotionally for the heartfelt zing of Clover.

The live video, released officially shortly after, captured every cool nuance—particularly Robert Trujillo’s bass lines locking in with Lars Ulrich’s drums and the orchestral samples that made Clover so unique. Watching it later, fans commented how crisp the audio was, worthy of a live album. BraveWords noted this is one of the first official releases from the M72 tour’s live archive, highlighting the show’s special aura.

Back onstage, Hetfield cracked a grin after the final notes, clearly savoring the reaction. He gave a trademark “heck yeah” to the crowd, swinging his guitar low and letting the clangs echo between lines. There’s always been something about Columbus audiences; earlier that weekend, the band had praised the fans’ stamina and passion—always eager, always loud, always ready to match Metallica’s heavy-hearted offerings.

This performance also subtly echoed their 1999 tour with the San Francisco Symphony, especially since “No Leaf Clover” was one of the centerpieces then. Having returned to big stadiums with hefty stage setups, these nostalgic moments feel like more than flash—they’re reminders of Metallica’s evolution: from thrash underground to orchestral explorers, to global titans owning modern stadium tours.

Meanwhile, diehard fans from Reddit compared this to the band’s 2019 S&M² shows, saying this Columbus rendition had that same emotional punch. One user wrote: “When the orchestral backing dropped in, I swear half the stadium paused to absorb it—pure goosebump city.” That emotional unity between band and audience is something Metallica have instilled in every echelon of their massive fanbase.

Even the band’s own set flow hinted at storytelling. They moved from furious riffers to heavy hymns to orchestral interludes, each section painting a different chapter of their four-decade narrative. Including “No Leaf Clover” at this point was like building the plot twist in the third act—dramatic pivot, then they slammed back into thrash territory for the finale.

It’s rare to see such polished emotional vocals live—Hetfield’s voice retained its growl and tonal subtleties, especially on lines like “No more memories, just memories of you.” Hearing that live removes any studio polish but adds texture and grit. It’s authenticity at its rawest. Fans who record smartphone clips later giggled at how their hands shook during this bit.

Earlier in the day, weather teased rain around sunset, and fresh gusts whipped through the stadium. When the clouds opened during the song’s climax, lightning flashed ominously in the distance. Though unplanned, it felt cinematic—an electric echo to the fiery pyrotechnics blazing around the stage, turning Metallica’s metal crucible into a thunder‑charged symphony of light and sound.

The logistics of pulling off orchestral layering on a giant stage aren’t trivial. In Columbus, their tech team had installed large pro samplers, synced to the backing tracks, while live guitar and bass cut in and out dynamically. It’s a master class in concert design—fierce, cinematic, intricate, built to feel massive yet intimate. The whole stage became a living, breathing instrument.

As the final chord rang out and the stadium lights strobe-faded, Hetfield stepped to center stage, taking a slow bow. He then leaned into the mic: “You are something else, Columbus. Thank you for loving us for all these years.” It was a sincere full-circle declaration. The connection between band and audience transcended mere show choreography—it felt like a shared memory, a nod to Metallica’s enduring legacy, and Columbus’s pivotal role in hosting it.

That night’s set would go down in discussion forums, fan clubs, livestream replays, and YouTube highlight reels. The official “No Leaf Clover” clip already has over 40k views from fans reliving the emotional wave. Metallica’s decision to include it in that setlist—on a No Repeat Weekend weekend—reinforces their commitment to making each performance unique, emotionally charged, and historically rich.

Columbus, Ohio, on May 11, 2025, witnessed more than a concert; it was a high-voltage tableau of Metallica’s career narrative condensed into one orchestral‑thrash hybrid moment. “No Leaf Clover” encapsulated decades of musical exploration, band loyalty, fan passion, and showmanship. Fans walked out drenched—through rain, sweat, or emotional release—but united, bound by a song that started as a collaboration in ’99 and redefined stadium storytelling in 2025.