‘We are Metallica and so are you…’

A quick glance around Sin City over the past week, and its various cavernous convention spaces engulfed by band-related activities, gives full clarification, should it still be needed, that a Metallica concert is very much a family affair. And as they begin their opening residency show at the technological wonder that is the Las Vegas Sphere, a room built around astounding floor to ceiling video screens, that family of fans is put at the front and centre – from the flags adorning the walls (well, very realistic screens) as the crowd enters the larger than life space to the lucky few packed into the venue’s first ever snakepit and the hundreds of smiling devotees who’s pictures float through the air over the traditional introductory sounds of AC/DC.

But even the most seasoned follower of metal’s biggest group could not be prepared for the visual onslaught of what’s to come across these two, no-repeat nights. ‘Master Of Puppets’ throws us deep into the graveyard, actual Ktulu stomps across the Vegas skyline, ‘King Nothing’ takes to a sky-high throne, ‘Creeping Death’ whisks us into a toxic green rainstorm and ‘Fuel’ sets the room ablaze. However, most memorable is the double-header of ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ and ‘One’, accompanied by black and white war imagery as planes fly overhead, clock towers crumble and we roam through the mud trodden trenches. A fully immersive musical experience that is simply astonishing to witness in person.

As weekend one comes to a close with a raucous ‘Enter Sandman’, complete with bouncing inflatable balls, the real achievement of this residency is in Metallica’s ability to not be overshadowed by the bells and whistles of the space, with more subtle moments like a photo tribute to the late Cliff Burton or the rare airing of ‘The Outlaw Torn’ allowing their history and fan connection to shine brightest.

They are indeed Metallica and, as James Hatfield added from the stage, so are you. Welcome home.

Metallica are on the cover of Rock Sound Rewind, Issue 2.

In this special edition A5 mini magazine, we look back on Rock Sound’s history with the biggest metal band in the world, with exclusive photos and archive interviews re-published for the very first time. Inside, you’ll find us catching up with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich on tour in 1999, chatting with Kirk Hammett around the release of the orchestral ’S&M’ and the band’s full 2003 cover story.

Choose from two cover variants now at SHOP.ROCKSOUND.TV