Metallica opened their new residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas Thursday night, and they brought out the deep cuts. The band’s 16-song set featured some insane visuals, plus three songs they haven’t touched in years — including the title track of their 1988 album. Jack White was in the audience for the inaugural show.
The band kicked off their Life Burns Faster residency with a career-spanning set that dug into the catalog. Newly revisited songs included “Now That We’re Dead” from 2016’s Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, which they hadn’t played since September 2021; “Battery” from 1986’s Master Of Puppets, which they performed for the first time since 2014; and “…And Justice For All,” the title track from their 1988 album, which they also hadn’t played since 2014.
The lengthy residency continues through March 2027, and Metallica will uphold their No Repeat Weekend promise, which they introduced in 2023 with the M72 World Tour. Fans attending multiple shows will get different setlists each night. Jack White was in the audience for last night’s show.
Three Songs Revisited
The three songs that got the biggest cheer were the ones the band hasn’t touched in years. “Now That We’re Dead” had been absent from live sets since September 2021. The track comes from Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, the album that followed their extended hiatus.
“Creeping Death” opened the set, setting the tone for a night that leaned on the classics. Then came “Sad But True,” “The Shortest Straw,” and “Wherever I May Roam.” The set moved quickly through the familiar territory, building toward the big reveal in the middle of the evening.
Then came “The Day That Never Comes,” a track that has become a staple of their recent touring but still packs a punch. After that, the band reached back to their 1988 album for the title track. It was a moment that felt historic, even though the setlist hadn’t been announced ahead of time.
Jack White in the Audience
Jack White was in the audience for last night’s show. His presence added to the occasion.
Jack White was in the audience for last night’s show.
The residency runs through March 2027, giving fans plenty of nights to see what changes from show to show. The No Repeat Weekend promise means each night will bring something different, which should keep repeat visitors engaged across the entire run.
Setlist Breakdown
The setlist covered a wide range of the band’s career, from their earliest days to their most recent work. The songs were arranged to build anticipation throughout the night.
- “Creeping Death” — a fan favorite that opened the set
- “Sad But True” — a track from the Black Album
- “The Shortest Straw” — a lesser-known gem from the same era
- “Wherever I May Roam” — a staple of their live shows
- “The Day That Never Comes” — a recent addition to the setlist
- “…And Justice For All” — the title track of their 1988 album
- “Sleepwalk My Life Away” — a Kirk and Rob Doodle
- “Nothing Else Matters” — a crowd favorite
- “The Call Of Ktulu”
- “Lux Æterna”
- “Ride The Lightning” — another classic from their early years
- “The Memory Remains” — a track from their mid-career period
- “Seek & Destroy” — a staple of their live shows
- “Master Of Puppets” — the title track of their 1986 album
- “Battery” — a classic from Master Of Puppets, performed for the first time since 2014
- “Now That We’re Dead” — a track from Hardwired… To Self-Destruct
The setlist also included “Sleepwalk My Life Away,” a track from their early days, and “Lux Æterna,” which closed out the night. The residency continues through March 2027, with Metallica promising fans will get different setlists each night.
What the Setlist Says About Metallica
The setlist was designed to please longtime fans while introducing newer material to the crowd. The inclusion of “Now That We’re Dead” showed the band is still willing to dig into their recent albums for fresh material.
The residency format allows Metallica to experiment with different arrangements and sequencing. The No Repeat Weekend promise means fans who attend multiple shows will get a different experience each night, which should keep the audience engaged across the entire run.
The Live Experience
The Sphere is a massive venue, and Metallica’s production values were on full display. The visuals were described as insane, adding to the spectacle of the night.
The Long Road Ahead
The residency runs through March 2027, which gives Metallica plenty of time to explore their catalog further. Fans who plan to attend multiple shows will have a lot to look forward to.
The No Repeat Weekend promise is a bold move for a band this established. It requires careful planning and constant adaptation, but it rewards fans who commit to seeing multiple nights.
The Legacy on Display
The residency is a celebration of Metallica’s legacy, and the setlist reflected that. From the early days to the present, the band has built a catalog that spans decades.
The inclusion of “Now That We’re Dead,” “Battery,” and “…And Justice For All” shows the band is willing to revisit its past. These are songs that have defined their career, and hearing them again after so long was a special moment for anyone in attendance.
The Future of the Residency
Metallica has promised fans will get different setlists each night. That means the residency is far from a static experience.
The band has a long history of live performances, and the residency format gives them room to experiment. Fans who attend multiple shows will see a different show each night, which should keep the experience fresh.
A Night Worth Remembering
The debut show at the Sphere was a success by any measure. Metallica delivered a setlist that pleased longtime fans while introducing newer material to the crowd.
The visuals were described as insane, and the setlist included three songs the band hasn’t played in years. Jack White was in the audience for the show.
The residency continues through March 2027, and Metallica has promised fans will get different setlists each night.
See the video the story is built around at Stereogum.
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