As one fan said, “Metallica didn’t just play Philadelphia tonight, they detonated it!”

What makes Metallica the biggest metal band the world has ever seen?

Last weekend I travelled to Philadelphia to find the answer after they announced two mega-shows for Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in June 2026, with tickets going on sale tomorrow morning at 10am.

I met superfans who have built their lives around Metallica, some having seen them hundreds of times as they followed their heroes around the globe with like-minded souls.

And watching the American group’s two incendiary shows at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field stadium – or ‘The Linc’ as it’s locally known – last Friday and Sunday night it was clear to see why fans love these four iconic rock gods.

Despite the heavy nature of the songs, the Metallica live experience is an adrenaline pumping, crowd bonding, mind-blowing, life affirming, fun event.

As one fan said, “Metallica didn’t just play Philadelphia tonight, they detonated it!”

Since opening in April 2023 in Amsterdam, their M72 World Tour has already seen Metallica strut their stuff on stage to around four million fans.

After 44 years at the top of their game and with nothing to prove, the band members could be forgiven for sticking their juggernaut on cruise control at every performance these days.

But watching them take fans on a rollercoaster ride around a giant stage in each of their brace of shows at The Linc last weekend, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo looked like they were still fired up with enthusiasm for the challenge of live performing and were having the time of their lives on stage.

Their interactions with each other were like those of an emerging band that had suddenly hit the big time and couldn’t believe their good fortune.

And despite playing to around 67,000 metal heads in the giant stadium that is home to the Philadelphia Eagles American football team, the Metallica behemoths somehow managed to make a personal connection with each member of the audience.

Entering the stadium you immediately see the first star of the show, a breath-taking stage ‘in the round’ with eight gigantic towers hosting video screens and a colossal sound system that ensures even fans sitting in the gods have a good experience.

Throughout the night, Metallica unleashed a barrage of their most celebrated and revered songs from their impressive arsenal, with manic drumming from skinsman Lars driving the full-on, power-packed performance.

James Hetfield’s voice is a force of nature and he looks like he’s in the best shape of his life these days – having struggled with alcohol abuse in the past – as he prowls the stage mesmerising us with his guitar work.

“Music saves my life every day, I hope you feel the same,” Hetfield told us at the first show.

On the second night he addresses the issue of suicide… “I know darkness, I know everyone here knows darkness, and we don’t know how hard it needs to get to go there (suicide). But that permanent solution to a temporary problem is not worth it.

“I say talk, talk that sh*t out, get that sh*t out… that’s not why you’re here. You are here to be loved and cherished, so talk to your friends.”

The M72 Tour in support of their 72 Seasons album is also a No Repeat Weekend experience, where the legendary band delivers two completely different sets with two unique opening acts each night.

The support acts announced for Aviva Stadium next June are Gojira, Pantera, Knocked Loose and Avatar.

And in each city they visit they do a “takeover” with lots of sideline shows and attractions. In Philadelphia last weekend there were seven events, including A Conversation with Kirk Hammett, who was interviewed at a local venue called The Fillmore, and a pop up merchandise store.

Superfan Brian Thomas from Raleigh, North Carolina told us that at this stage his connection with Metallica is as much about the bonds he’s built with other fans from all over the world as the music and live shows.

What does he think is the appeal of Metallica? “They’re an American institution,” he says. “Even people who aren’t fans, they know Metallica because they hear them all the time.

“You can’t go to a sporting event in the United States without hearing a Metallica song because it’s high energy, excellent music, amps the crowd up and everybody’s feeling good when they hear it.”

Metallica’s M72 World Tour will play Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 19 & 21, 2026. Two-night tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 10am.