Metallica Unleashes Metal Mayhem in Philly to Kick Off Memorial Day Weekend

James Hetfield of Metallica - Lincoln Financial Field 5/23/2025 - photo: Scott Kucharski

Metallica stormed into Philadelphia on Friday night to launch the Memorial Day weekend with the thunderous force of their M72 World Tour. Lincoln Financial Field played host to the first of a two-night stand from the heavy metal titans, who were joined by Ice Nine Kills and Limp Bizkit for a lineup that delivered energy, chaos, and some serious weather drama.

The M72 Tour is defined by one of the most ambitious stage setups in rock history. Positioned “in the round,” with a central VIP “snake pit” giving high-dollar fans a 360-degree view, the stage featured multiple risers where drum kits emerged from below, allowing the band to rotate their performance around the massive arena. It's a bold concept aimed at bringing every fan closer to the action—and for the most part, it works.

However, the scale of the stage didn’t do many favors for openers Ice Nine Kills. Known for their horror-themed theatrics and intense visual storytelling, some of the band’s signature flair got lost in the sheer vastness of the setup. While they gave it everything they had, their dramatic edge felt dulled by the wide-open space.

Then came Limp Bizkit—and with them, the skies. Just one song into their set, a torrential downpour ripped through the stadium, turning the field into a chaotic, soaked frenzy. What could’ve been a disaster only amped up the intensity. DJ Lethal’s booth was nearly destroyed by the sideways rain and wind, and the crew scrambled with tarps and a pop-up tent, but Fred Durst and Wes Borland kept the energy raging. Wes, protected by his usual wild headgear, shredded through the storm while Durst led the drenched crowd through hits like “Nookie,” “Rollin’,” “Faith,” and not one but two rounds of “Break Stuff.” The storm literally broke stuff—Lethal’s gear didn’t survive—but the band never missed a beat. As the rain eased, Durst rallied the crowd with a chant of “Metallica...Metallica...MEH-TALLLL-I-KAAAAHHHHHH!”

After a soggy but efficient stage changeover (including a whole lot of mopping), Metallica made their entrance to a classic combo of AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top” and Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold.” They opened with a crushing trio of “Creeping Death,” “Harvester of Sorrow,” and “Holier Than Thou,” instantly reminding fans that no storm can match their fury. The sound was monstrous, with banks of suspended speakers firing in every direction, ensuring the entire stadium was engulfed in metal glory.

What followed was a masterclass in heavy metal performance. The band moved between towers, hitting every corner of the stage and every era of their discography with precision and power. By the time they launched into their final volley—“Fuel,” “Seek & Destroy,” and the immortal “Master of Puppets”—the crowd was exhausted, soaked, and euphoric.

And the best part? This was only night one.

Metallica returns to the Linc tonight (Sunday), this time with Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies in tow. If you missed Friday’s mayhem or are still hungry for more, tonight is your last chance to get your “Phil” before this juggernaut rolls on to its next stop on the road to total metal domination.