Metallica - M72 World Tour
Evanescence kicked off the night to a near-capacity Optus Stadium. From the front barrier to the nosebleeds, every seat was filled. Amy Lee didn’t miss a beat — her powerhouse vocals cutting through the air as the band roared behind her. The crowd responded in kind, arms raised and voices echoing every word. A few overly eager patrons had to be escorted out before Metallica even appeared, a sign of just how long Perth had been waiting for this.
The lights dropped. AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll) blasted through the stadium, followed by Ennio Morricone’s The Ecstasy of Gold. The woft of vapes and anticipation filled the air once again as the crowd roared to life. Metallica hit the stage with Creeping Death and For Whom the Bell Tolls, and within seconds, Perth was possessed. James Hetfield was still warming up his voice, but by Holier Than Thou and Fuel, the band had total command.
Energy levels were high and so were a few individuals around me. The stench of bourbon and cola was strong amongst the Perth faithful, but spirits were even stronger. During The Unforgiven, Hetfield tossed out the now-iconic, “Do you feel it, Perth?” …and we felt it. Wherever I May Roam rolled out heavy and relentless before Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett took a small intermission to treat locals to a cheeky jam, a mash-up of Budgie’s Crash Course in Brain Surgery and John Butler Trio’s Zebra, a surprise that earned a thunderous response.
The crowd’s energy didn’t stay confined to the mosh pit. Headbanging rippled out through the stands, wave after wave, until even those perched in the top rows were up on their feet, fists in the air, cheering and headbanging in unison. At one point, a handful of fans climbed the sound tower to get a better view, a risky but telling display of devotion. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and security handled it without killing the vibe.
The Day That Never Comes and Moth Into Flame burned through the night before Sad but True hit with that signature crunch. Then came Nothing Else Matters, the emotional peak of the show. The energy reached an all-time high, but the noise fell away. Tens of thousands of voices sang back to James in perfect harmony, creating a haunting moment of unity that hung in the air long after the final note faded.
From there, the momentum only grew, Seek & Destroy, Lux Æterna, Master of Puppets, One, and finally Enter Sandman. The testosterone levels continued increasing, but the crowd stayed in good spirits. Beach balls launched through the pit and somehow made it up to the seated areas, thanks to a few legends determined to spread the chaos overhead.
As the last notes rang out, a voice from behind yelled, “Onya Larsey!”, a heartfelt Perth send-off delivered from 200 metres away. The band gave a sincere thank-you and an awkwardly drawn goodbye, almost as if they knew this might be the last time.
All in all, Metallica and Evanescence performed incredibly, veterans of the trade reminding Perth exactly why they’re still kings of the stage. Loud, chaotic, and full of heart, it was everything a rock show should be.
Full Gallery https://musicfestivalsaustralia.com/event-photos/metallica-m72-world-tour
Thank you to Metallica, Evanescence, Live Nation, RPM PR and Optus Stadium for having us along.
Review and Photos by Cassandra Edwards for Music Kingdom Australia
