Metallica Conquers Mile High: Night One of a Two-Night Thrash Spectacle
July 1, 2025Photos: Gerardo Federico
The Sound
Metallica’s first night at Empower Field — part of their M72 World Tour — was nothing short of colossal, though not without its sonic challenges. True to their promise of reinvention, the thrash legends set up in the round, building a massive circular stage at the center of the football field. Instead of the usual end-zone setup, this format aimed to give every seat a “front row” view.
But while the visual immersion was undeniable, the sound suffered. Massive speaker arrays hung from towering pillars at each corner of the stage, blasting in all directions — yet depending on your seat, you might catch more Lars Ulrich’s thunderous drums and Robert Trujillo’s bone-rattling bass than James Hetfield’s searing vocals or Kirk Hammett’s shredding solos. It was a surprising flaw for a band long celebrated for delivering some of the most bone-crushing live metal on the planet.
The Show
That said, Metallica — 40+ years into their reign — delivered a setlist designed to thrill fans from every era. Kicking off with the blistering “Creeping Death,” they instantly whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Hetfield’s voice was strong and commanding, Hammett unleashed blistering leads, and Trujillo’s bass lines prowled beneath it all with primal force. For a band whose members now sport six decades apiece, their energy remains jaw-dropping.
Highlights were plentiful. “Harvester of Sorrow” rumbled through the stadium with grim intensity, while the tribute performance of the instrumental “Orion” — honoring late bassist Cliff Burton — was a masterclass in progressive metal beauty, its off-kilter time signatures executed with delicate precision.
Visually, the show was a feast: massive LED screens crowned each stage pillar, pulsing with hypnotic patterns and live footage, while the entire setup pulsed with pyrotechnics, lasers, and raw fire. It all culminated in a ferocious finale with “Master of Puppets,” still one of the most iconic riffs in metal history. And just before that, “Battery” stole the night — Hetfield’s impossibly fast downpicking and snarling vocals tearing through the night air like a freight train. Watching him flawlessly play those breakneck riffs while singing is still a marvel, decades on.
Final Thoughts
For just over two hours, Metallica reminded Denver why they still reign supreme atop the metal world. Hetfield’s frequent check-ins with the crowd — expressing deep gratitude and love for their fans — felt genuinely heartfelt, not just tour-banter filler. Yes, the sound mix left something to be desired, but the sheer power, endurance, and passion of this band easily bulldozed over any technical shortcomings.
As long as Metallica keeps touring, we’ll keep showing up — fists raised, necks sore, and hearts full. Because life is short, and live music — especially at this level — is nothing short of life-affirming.
