I dislike major stadium gigs. But when your favourite band are one of the biggest in the world, it’s either that or nothing. Therefore, on June 14th, 2024, I find myself in Copenhagen Parken Stadium to witness Metallica’s 72 Seasons world tour, no repeat, two-night show.
We arrive at the venue in time to catch Mammoth WVH. His middle of the road rock entertains the reasonably sized crowd. Heads bob along while plastic containers of tasteless Danish beer are hastily downed. The band swap locations on the round stage giving all who wish to get a chance to see members of the band. All are suitably active and certainly look like they are enjoying this experience. Wolfgang gives us a demonstration of the harmonic guitar talents his father was famous for, before leaving the stage to applause and cheers.
The Architects played next. [I guess Neil was so overwhelmed that he was unable to write anything about the Bloodstock headliners]
The stadium fills and we await the sounds of AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top. When it happens, the lights drop, and historical photos appear on the round screens sitting high on the many imposing gantries. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly then replaces these images on the screens while the sound of The Ecstasy of Gold floods the stadium, causing goose bumps to form on flesh.
The tried and tested opener of Creeping Death blasts forth and you can see why this track is an oft used rabble rouser at the start of the set. It certainly sets the scene and gets the blood pumping. By the time we get to Hit the Lights I notice a percentage of the crowd have lost that blood flow. Some begin to stare bored around the stadium as if they were listening to a drum solo. Are these Black album only fans I wonder?
We soon get yellow lights piercing the air and a frankly raging rendition of the new album title track. 72 Seasons once more demonstrates Metallica’s thrash skills. Fast, precise and very good. 50% of the band leave the stage after If Darkness Had a Son, leaving Rob and Kirk to take the limelight. Tonight, they play one of their own compositions named All Nighter at the Hong Kong Bar. This does give people a chance to visit the WC or the bar. To be honest it is fun and makes each night different.
We then continue to run through more of the band’s greatest hits, all played with fury and passion. Orion stands out for me, I love this track, but to be honest all are excellent. We rip through the set while Metallica’s band members prowl around this central stage, taking different positions throughout the evening. The roof is on, but we still get firebombs in Fuel, making the skin on my face prickle in the heat. We get a false start to Seek and Destroy, which the band acknowledge before starting it again. No shame, no trying to hide it, just rock n roll.
The familiar beach balls drop from the gantries around the stadium and the party atmosphere is heightened. The lights are raised while some fans next to us jump on one of the beach balls and assisted by at least six other people they manage to deflate this souvenir so one of the team can take it home. The lights then drop once more and the band tear into Master of Puppets causing me to internally rant. A minority of the audience are starting to leave. WTF! This is arguably Metallica’s biggest song and people are leaving to catch the train, metro or bicycle. I find this curious in the extreme, individuals who pay a decent amount of money only to leave to beat the crowds by a matter of minutes.
Minor rant aside I leave the Parken Stadium a very happy man and Metallica fan, looking forward to night two.
Review by Neil 'Thrashtash' Bolton
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