The legend of Metallica continues to roll through Europe, proving that even decades into their career, these heavyweights remain a force of nature. On the recent leg of their M72 World Tour, the band traded epic stadium shows for heartwarming musical tributes, weaving history and humor into their performance.
The journey took them across the continent, starting with a spectacular stop in Glasgow where Metallica teamed up with fellow rock royalty to pay homage to Scottish music. Guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo led the charge, using their mid-set segment, dubbed ‘Kirk and Rob Doodle,’ to spotlight iconic acts.
At one stop, they honored the spirit of The Proclaimers by delivering a powerful rendition of ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’. This musical gesture echoed the enduring passion for great music that defines the heavy music world.
Just days before this, the band graced Dublin with another moment of musical history. During their performance there, Hammett and Trujillo honored Irish musical heritage by playing Ewan MacColl’s classic ‘Dirty Old Town’, a song steeped in the history of Irish music through acts like The Dubliners and The Pogues.
This playful tradition of tribute is a staple of Metallica’s live shows, giving Hammett and Trujillo a chance to unleash loose bass-and-guitar jams that celebrate musical heroes. In the past, this segment has celebrated giants like Rammstein with ‘Sonne’, ABBA with ‘Dancing Queen’, and a-ha with ‘Take On Me’, underscoring the band’s unique ability to connect music across genres.
Amidst the high energy of the tour, there were moments that offered a glimpse into the band’s more human side. During their first Dublin show, Hammett experienced a memorable moment when he slipped from the stage during ‘Seek & Destroy’, later joking about the near-miss on social media.
This seemingly lighthearted anecdote provided a contrast to the heavy themes they explored. It was just days after Hammett had voiced some candid thoughts on contemporary music, suggesting that songwriting and pop music were simply crap, urging for musicians to create something higher quality.
“I’m hoping that all these great musicians who can teach themselves through the internet step up and put all that great learning and all that great inspiration into creating new stuff, new songs, the future of music, and at a higher standard than what it is now,” he stated, adding, “Because I’ll say it again, K-R-A-P. Crap. Sorry for all you pop fans out there.”
As Metallica continue their journey across the UK and Europe with the ‘M72’ tour, they remain an undeniable gateway to heavy music, proving that the majesty of heavy music is still on full display. With remaining dates planned for Cardiff and London, the concert experience promises to be just as ambitious and giddy as the band themselves.
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Credit: NME
