Metallica opened their residency at the Las Vegas Sphere with a 18-song set that turned the venue’s giant curved screen into a living nightmare. The band debuted at the 20,000-capacity venue last night (October 1), launching an 18-song set that spanned from their 1983 thrash-metal debut Kill Em All to their most recent album, 2023’s 72 Seasons. They opened with the classic “Battery,” and the visuals included towering tombstones, stained-glass windows, and a multidimensional depiction of the Lovecraftian Chthulu during the Ride the Lightning track “The Call of Ktulu.”
The show was the first of 24 performances scheduled at the venue through March 2027. The shows take place every Thursday and Saturday, billed as “No Repeat Weekends,” with no overlap between each week’s setlists.
Opening With “Battery”
The band took the stage as a four-piece unit in front of the venue’s giant curved screen. “Battery” is a classic from the band’s 1986 album Master of Puppets, and it set the tone immediately: this was not a gentle acoustic set. The song’s familiar riff sliced through the arena.
The setlist moved quickly through Metallica’s catalog. The band hit early-career highlights like “Creeping Death” and “Sad but True,” both from Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. “Now That We’re Dead” and “The Shortest Straw” kept the momentum, and “Wherever I May Roam” brought the energy back up.
The Screen Behind the Band
The visual display was the star of the evening. The screen showed nooses, crosses, flooded landscapes, ruined buildings, and other imagery that seemed pulled from a succession of horror movies, according to a review in the San Francisco Chronicle. The band was operating in front of this massive backdrop, and the contrast between the playful neon exterior of the Sphere and the dark imagery inside was striking.
The Lovecraftian Chthulu appeared during “The Call of Ktulu,” a track from Ride the Lightning. The depiction was multidimensional, which meant it occupied the screen in a layered, almost three-dimensional way rather than as a flat image. It was a bold choice for a mainstream rock show, and it landed.
Hetfield’s Stage Banter
James Hetfield addressed the moment directly from the stage. “For modern technology and old guys playing loud music, I have to say this is pretty awesome,” he said. It was a humble acknowledgment from a man who has spent decades commanding arenas, but it felt genuine. He was clearly enjoying the spectacle as much as the crowd was.
The band also played “Sleepwalk My Life Away” and “Lux Æterna.” Their inclusion suggested the band wanted to dig into deeper cuts rather than just running through the hits.
The Setlist In Order
Here is the full setlist for the opening night at the Sphere:
- “Battery”
- “Creeping Death”
- “Now That We’re Dead”
- “Sad but True”
- “The Shortest Straw”
- “Wherever I May Roam”
- “The Day That Never Comes”
- “…And Justice for All”
- “Sleepwalk My Life Away”
- “Nothing Else Matters”
- “The Call of Ktulu”
- “Lux Æterna”
- “Ride the Lightning”
The setlist ran 18 songs. The final stretch closed with “Ride the Lightning,” a track from the band’s 1984 album.
What The Chronicle Said
The San Francisco Chronicle’s review described the visuals in vivid terms. The screen displayed nooses, crosses, flooded landscapes, ruined buildings, and other imagery that seemed pulled from a succession of horror movies. The description captures the contrast between the Sphere’s bright exterior and the dark interior.
The review also noted the sheer scale of the production. The venue is 20,000-capacity, and the screen is massive enough to fill the entire space with immersive imagery.
The Residency Runs Through March 2027
The residency runs through March 2027, with shows scheduled every Thursday and Saturday. That is a long commitment for a band, but it makes sense for a city that runs on weekends. The “No Repeat Weekends” billing means fans can attend multiple nights without seeing the same set twice.
The schedule is dense, with 24 shows across those dates. That is a lot of performances, and it suggests Metallica is committed to keeping the production fresh over the long haul. The band has built a reputation for live shows that are not just concerts but full-scale events, and the Sphere residency gives them a perfect canvas.
The Lovecraftian Chthulu appearance was a highlight. It was a bold choice for a mainstream rock show, and it showed the band is willing to push boundaries even at this stage of their career. The depiction was multidimensional, which added depth to the visual and made it feel more immersive.
The band’s decision to open with “Battery” was a strong choice. The song is a classic, and it set the tone for the evening.
Metallica’s residency at the Las Vegas Sphere is off to a strong start. The opening night was a success, and the band has plenty of shows left to deliver. The “No Repeat Weekends” format means fans will keep coming back to see what new tricks the band has up their sleeve. The Lovecraftian Chthulu appearance was a highlight, and the setlist honored the band’s history while also surprising longtime listeners. It was a reminder that Metallica remains one of the most exciting live acts in rock.
Source material: “Watch Metallica Spawn a Monster for Their Sphere Residency Opener,” Pitchfork.
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