Live Review: Metallica’s Hardwired tour focuses on the basics, despite its massive production

Metallica with Avenged Sevenfold and Volbeat
Parc Jean-Drapeau
July 19, 2017

At the very end of Metallica’s triumphant return to Montreal on Wednesday night, Kirk Hammett walked up to the microphone and began to reminisce. He told the crowd that the band has performing in Montreal for over 32 years. And it’s true. The very first time Metallica ever performed in Montreal was on January 15th, 1985 at The Spectrum, during their Ride the Lightning tour. It was the same year the Nintendo Entertainment System and Microsoft’s Windows 1.0 were released. It’s safe to say, they’ve come a long, long way.

If there’s one thing that’s still evident about Metallica (James Hetfield; lead singer, Lars Ulrich; drummer, Kirk Hammett; lead guitarist, and Robert Trujillo; bassist), it’s that the California-based band are still having the absolute time of their lives playing music together. The passion, the chemistry, and the stage presence are all undeniable. Kirk Hammett still shreds that guitar during “For Whom the Bell Tolls” with a smile on his face. Lars Ulrich still bangs away at the drums with wild abandon. James Hetfield still possesses that raw, magnetic energy during classic songs like “Master of Puppets.” Robert Trujillo’s awesome bass solo also serves as a tribute to the late, great Cliff Burton.

Above all, this night was all about family. The members of Metallica are now well into their 50’s and judging by the crowd, their fans have grown alongside with them. For many, this night was a bonding experience between parents and their children: fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, old-schoolers, and newcomers.

As James Hetfield reminded the crowd early on during the show: “Metallica does not give a shit about what you’ve done in the past, where you’re from, who you pray to, or what you eat. We only care about the similarities. This is a celebration of life. We’re all one big family.”

And nothing else matters.

Setlist

Hardwired
Atlas, Rise!
For Whom the Bell Tolls
The Memory Remains
The Unforgiven
Now That We’re Dead
Moth Into Flame
Wherever I May Roam
Halo on Fire
Motorbreath
Sad but True
One
Master of Puppets
Fade to Black
Seek & Destroy

Encore:
Fight Fire With Fire
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman