Metallica rocks H-town, sets venue attendance record

Metallica erupts into the opening sequence of "Fuel" to the approval of the Houston-family. (Tommy Mann Jr.)

The M72 tour rolled in Houston this past Saturday (June 14, 2025) at NRG Stadium and Metallica left little doubt why they are the kings of heavy metal, as the band broke the concert attendance record at the stadium with more than 75,000 metalheads on site.

Metallica performed a powerful 15-song, two-hour set that spanned the band’s career and included plenty of the group’s big hits, new tunes and a few surprises for the Houston-faithful.

The band opened the show with a trio of tunes from its second album, “Ride the Lightning,” as the group started with “Creeping Death,” “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” and the title track itself.

The crowd erupts as Metallica launches into a performance of "Master of Puppets" at the NRG Stadium concert in Houston on June 14, 2025. (Tommy Mann Jr)

Vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield has changed over the years and often displays his emotions now and that was evident on Saturday as the Metallica leader often referred to thousands of fans as family, which is how the concert felt because there were smiles and joy everywhere to be found despite the heaviness of the band’s music.

The band is touring, still, in support of its 2023 release, “72 Seasons,” and made sure to include the requisite new tracks, “Lux Aeterna” and “If Darkness Had a Son,” in its marathon set, along with classic material. Fans roared to life with the opening lyrics of “Fuel” as well as the intense pyro that accompanied the start of the song, and were in fine vocal form during as the crowd accompanied Hetfield on “Seek and Destroy.”

The concert reached its climax as Metallica closed its performance with the song, “Enter Sandman,” and thanked everyone for being part of the family for so many years.

Pantera served as middle support for the event and delivered a punishing 60-minute set of metal might. The overall sound seemed a bit “muddy” to this listener, but the power and the fury were still easily heard as the band churned out well-known tunes such as “A New Level,” “Becoming,” “5 Minutes Alone,” and “I’m Broken.”

The band, comprised of vocalist, Phil Anselmo; guitarist, Zakk Wylde; drummer, Charlie Benante; and bassist, Rex Brown, roamed the circular stage like the true veterans they are and engaged fans at every turn, demanding participation and receiving it. The group closed the show with what is arguably its two best known tracks, “Walk,” and “Cowboys From Hell.”

Suicidal Tendencies opened the show promptly at 6 p.m. and blazed through an all-too-brief 40-minute set. Vocalist Mike Muir was constantly on the move and enjoying the moment as the band opened with “You Can’t Bring Me Down” and performed other songs such as “Send Me Your Money,” Institutionalized,” a new song, “Adrenaline Addict,” and show closer “Pledge Your Allegiance.”

Metallica setlist:

Creeping Death

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Ride the Lightning

The Memory Remains

Lux Aeterna

If Darkness Had a Son

The Day That Never Comes

Fuel

Orion

Nothing Else Matters

Sad But True

One

Seek and Destroy

Master of Puppets

Enter Sandman

Pantera setlist:

A New Level

Mouth for War

Strength Beyond Strength

Becoming

I’m Broken

Five Minutes Alone

This Love

Fucking Hostile

Walk

Domintation’Hollow

Cowboys From Hell

James Hetfield of Metallica during the song "Master of Puppets" at the band's concert at NRG Stadium in Houston. (Tommy Mann Jr.)

Suicidal Tendencies setlist:

You Can’t Bring Me Down

Institutionalized

Subliminal

Send Me Your Money

Adrenaline Addict

Cyco Vision

Pledge Your Allegiance