Metallica’s riffs fuel Syracuse with energy
Metallica’s riffs fuel Syracuse with energy
Review: In a night etched with fire and lights, the veteran rock band’s brutally beautiful music drew thousands into a collective trance.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on Saturday, Metallica delivered a masterclass performance on their M72 World Tour at Syracuse University’s JMA Wireless Dome. It had been nearly three decades since the band – whose lineup included founding members, vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, along with lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo – last graced a Syracuse stage, and the city’s fervor was unmistakable.
This was the band’s only stop in New York state for the 2025 leg of their world tour, and the streets pulsed with anticipation, as excited fans like myself clad in Metallica merch thronged the venue. It reminded me why my 15-year-old self fell in love with the American heavy metal band in the first place.
Opening the evening was Suicidal Tendencies, an American crossover thrash band comprising vocalist Mike “Cyco Miko” Muir, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Ben Weinman, bassist Tye Trujillo, and drummer Jay Weinberg. They ignited the dome with hits like “You Can’t Bring Me Down” and “Subliminal,” as well as a live debut of “Adrenaline Addict,” their first new song in seven years, which dropped this Friday.
Succeeding them was American heavy metal band Pantera, which is currently composed of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The band, credited for developing and globalizing the groove metal genre, treated the crowd to songs like “Strength Beyond Strength,” “Becoming” and “Walk.”
When Metallica finally emerged, opening with a cover of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll),” their guitar strums wrapped around my bones like armor, turning every heartbeat into a war drum and every lyric into a battle cry for the soul. The band’s setlist consisted of two covers and 16 original songs, creating a masterful blend of timeless classics and newer tracks. “For Whom The Bell Tolls” and “Master of Puppets” stirred both nostalgia and adrenaline, while “Lux Æterna” and “Screaming Suicide” from their 2023 album, “72 Seasons,” showcased their ever-evolving artistry.
Each song was a journey, a story told through riffs and rhythms that spoke directly to me. Hetfield’s vocals soared, Hammett’s solos dazzled, Ulrich’s thunderous drumming drove the performance forward, and Trujillo’s bass lines anchored the band’s enduring prowess into the night.
In the days leading up to the show, the band’s presence was felt throughout the city. Pop-up shops appeared across Syracuse, Liverpool held an American Red Cross x Metallica blood drive where donors received a free Metallica shirt and Destiny USA hosted the premier of a new documentary film Metallica Saved My Life – all of which created an engaging atmosphere for fans. These buzz-builders fostered a sense of community among attendees who bonded over their shared excitement. The band’s efforts to engage with the local scene also demonstrated their commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the stage.
And when the time came, the stage itself was turned into a character – pyrotechnics danced, dome lights painted the space in vivid hues of blood reds, electric blues and neon greens, and the acoustic production ensured intimate emotion with every note felt. Metallica’s energy was infectious; their passion palpable. The dynamic performance created an immersive experience that felt like they were communing with us, an extended family.
But in the midst of this sonic storm, there were also moments of introspection. “Nothing Else Matters” enveloped the audience in a quiet sway, a reminder of music’s power to connect, to heal. And when “Enter Sandman” closed the night, it marked the culmination of a shared catharsis that left me equally breathless and exhilarated.
Walking out into the cool Syracuse night, ears ringing and hearts full, it was clear: Metallica is proof that art thrives in distortion and legacy lives on in the roar. Their music wasn’t heard so much as conjured; a symphony of fury and freedom that shattered silence and resurrected something primal inside me.