Live Review: Metallica – Olympiastadion, Munich (Night 2)
26th May 2024
Support: Ice Nine Kills, Five Finger Death Punch
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
Just two days after Metallica shook the Olympiastadion in Munich to its foundations, with a little help from a massive lightening storm, we are back for round two. The second night of this double header to kick off their year two of their M72 jaunt across the world comes with a lot more sun and a lot less rain.
If you missed what happened on night one, check out our coverage here. Tonight we are here to see how they follow that up!
The support line up for night two it switched up with Ice Nine Kills and Five Finger Death Punch replacing Mammoth WVH and Architects.
Ice Nine Kills' horror inspired metalcore went down well with the younger generation in the arena demonstrating promise for thier future, they filled out the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton in a warm up show on Wednesday night and now they step out in front of a huge German crowd.
Having missed Five Finger Death Punch on the first leg of the tour last year the band have actually made it this time round. With a large catalogue of material to draw from the German fans lapped up the 50 minute set with fist pumping glee.
But it’s the headliners we are all here to see.
As 60,000 strong fans gather around the bands stage in the centre of the field expectant and awaiting round two that sound kicks in again, Ennio Morricone's ‘The Ecstasy of Gold' has a way of building the atmosphere for a show like no other and as the song dies down four figures appear from the darkness, Metallica are here again.
Tonight the band launch straight nto 'Creeping Death' and as 60,000 of us chant 'Die' in unison that electric atmosphere builds, swathed in blue light the band are ready to destroy this southern German city. James quip's "we're ordered some sun for you this evening" as the band lead us through 80's classic's "Harvestor of Sorrow' and 'Hit the Lights'.
Another classic Ride The Lightening' leads us into the M72 segment of the show which gives us '72 Seasons' and 'If Darkness Had A Son'. 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' breaks up the new songs before it's the live debut of 'Inamorata', the final of six songs from their latest album played over the course of two shows.
'No Leaf Clover' was a welcome to edition to the setlist, a truly underrated classic, which followed 'The Call of Kuthulu' and lead us into 'Wherever I May Roam' nicely. The 'Black Album' classic had the German crowd at full volume whilst Rob treated those in the "Snake Pit" to a very special show, navigating through the middle of them
'Moth Into Flame', which James dedicates to Amy Winehouse, allows the quartet to utilise the pyro for the first time of the evening leading straight into 'Fight Fire with Fire' at break neck speed. As James declares "We haven't played this one in a while" fans started to guess what was coming next before those familiar notes of the opening of Welsh rock classic 'Breadfan' fills our ears.
By now the band are raging thirty songs into their double header in Munich and it's time to pull out the big guns. The eight huge screens flicker back into life as the intro to 'One' with its usual war themed animation rolls across the video walls. Just as the fans get ready to rest their neck from an eight minute hand banging marathon its onto set closer 'Enter Sandman', which may be a little over played these days. However as you watch 60,000 fans pump their first in unison and you realise just why they play it so much, it is a sight to behold.
Over two days and thirty two songs Metallica have wowed a huge audience in Munich to open up the second leg of the M72 tour. For Metallica fans, these two nights back to back in the same town, with two completely different sets is an emotion, life affirming moment. Never will you see a better live show than a Metallica one.
