Live Review: Metallica - Olympic Stadium, Athens
9th May 2024
Support: Gojira, Knocked Loose
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
Athens... the home of the Olympic movement, Greek gods, and some of the worlds greatest history. And hence the modern Olympic Stadium, north of the city, is the fitting location for the thunder of Metallica's M72 tour to kick start it's third European leg. Having witnessed the opening nights of leg one - Amsterdam - and leg two - Munich - The Razor's Edge team are back top open leg three!
The previous legs of the tour have seen Metallica focus on the two night, two unique sets concept. Whilst that concept continues for leg three in some locations, the majority of these shows are one night only performances and thats what we have in Greece tonight. The downside... we only get a small subsection of their vast back catalogue, the upside... the promises to be an intense affair with the manic Greek fans ready to party hard!
With the sun still burning high in the sky it’s up to Knocked Loose to kick things off. Being used to small, sweaty clubs means jumping into a stadium-sized spotlight is never an easy task, but Knocked Loose approached it with the same unrelenting ferocity that’s built their reputation. Their sound is abrasive, punishing, and unapologetically intense and tonight it cut through the vast space with surprising clarity, driven by pummelling drums and razor-sharp riffs. Frontman Bryan Garris a constant whirlwind on the circular stage in the centre of the stadium, his piercing vocal delivery slicing through the mix while commanding a crowd that, for many, are been experiencing the band for the first time.
Across all three legs of the M72 tour so far, Knocked Loose are the most intense opening act and their aggression translated into a setting that could easily swallow lesser acts whole. Circle pits erupted in pockets across the stadium floor, a testament to their ability to convert even the uninitiated. There was no compromise, no softening of edges to suit the occasion, just pure, unfiltered intensity delivered with conviction.
Speaking of Olympic games... I am sure we all remember the opening ceremony in Paris highlighted by the firey Gojira performance. This is a band used to the big shows with arena tours and Bloodstock headline sets under their belts.
From the outset of their set this felt colossal with waves of crushing riffs, thunderous rhythms, and an almost hypnotic precision that filled the stadium with ease. Joe Duplantier’s vocals roared with purpose, while the band locked into grooves that were as punishing as they were intricate. The sheer weight of their sound translated effortlessly to the vast space, proving that their brand of progressive metal loses none of its impact outside a headline slot.
Unlike their headline sets, tonight Gojira didn’t rely on spectacle, instead they let their musicianship and presence do the heavy lifting, building towering walls of sound that resonated long after each track ended. This was a performance that demonstrated a band just a few years away from headlining venues of this size in their own right!
As 90,000 strong fans gather around the circular stage in the centre of the field, 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 back in Europe again.
Tonight the band launch straight into '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 historic Greek city. James quip's "good evening Athens, Metallica loves you" as the band lead us through popular classic ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ and more modern wonder 'Moth Into Flame'.
“We’ve got one from Load for you” James remarks as they launch into ‘King Nothing’ a welcome return for a rarely played tune from their catalogue.
Whilst previous legs of the tour have included up to three ‘72 Seasons’ a night, the band change it up for leg three with only ‘Lux Aeterna’ from the latest album getting an airing tonight.
The first of the evenings five songs from “the Black album” sees ‘The Unforgiven’ sung at full volume by thousands of Greeks in unison, followed by the ever popular ‘Fuel’ for our second pyro bursts if the evening.
After Kirk and Rob’s jam - where they fleshed out a traditional Greek ditty much to the crowds delight - the lights dimmed and James on acoustic guitar leads us into ‘Fade to Black’, sung with the levels of emotion only he can deliver.
The Black album is more prominent in the bands set than it has been in a long time with five songs throughout the evening taken from it. ‘Wherever I May Roam’ to ‘Nothing Else Matters’ through the ever heavy ‘Sad But True’ in a fifteen minute section of pure 90’s nostalgia.
The pyro launches back to life with explosions and the crackle of gunfire, which can mean only one thing… ‘One’. It may (alongside Sandman) be the bands most overplayed song, but there’s something about the live presentation and lyrical content that brings it to life.
”We’re going to go back a long way now, do any of you have the album Kill ‘em All?” James asks as the crowd roar back a response. A Lars snare roll triggers giant beach balls falling from the rafters as James is scanning the scene here in Athens tonight. A huge sing a long to ‘Seek and Destroy’ follows with the balls bouncing around the stadium with abandon. It’s a sight to behold and an awesome way to lead us to the finale.
The eight huge screens flicker back into life as the intro to 'Master of Puppets' kicks in, the visualiser that accompanies the song adds to the atmosphere of the epic tune. Just as the fans get ready to rest their neck from an eight minute hand banging marathon its onto set closer 'Enter Sandman’. The fireworks light the sky as 90,000 fans pump their first in unison and Metallica bring the curtain down on the tours opening night.
As the band age gracefully the thought crosses your mind of just how many of these moments we’ll have again. No matter what that number will be, tonight’s show in Athens indicates they have no intention of slowing down just yet.
Lars and hatfield suck!!!!!