After a climactic wait and a previously cancelled tour the heavy metal gods finally arrive back on Perth shores for the first time in 12 years. 

Following a cute stint with the quokkas on Rottnest by frontman James Hetfield, the San Francisco based legends Metallica enter Optus Stadium for a sold-out night of chaos. The first of a bodacious run of Australia-wide shows for the M72 Tour.

Kicking off the delicious raucous are Suicidal Tendencies with some apt rock bangers. The band's enduring hit, Institutionalized, even sees a mosh breakout in broad daylight. The 5 rockers perform with passion and appreciation for a crowd this size, a good spoonful of metal to whet the appetite for what’s to come.

If that wasn’t enough of a warm-up the noughties legends Evanescence helmed by Amy Lee storm out to raving applause to give the crowd more bang for their buck. 

They whipped and lashed and screamed the house down with the classics and sent the crowd into a frenzy with Bring Me To Life then bid a hearty and exhausted farewell giving all they had to the stage. 

It’s all very polished and crisp sounding, and you could almost be convinced they’re headlining in their own right – but you could hardly expect anything less from a band who have been commanding stages for close to 30 years.

A giant emblazoned M and A loom over either side of the stage, a literal sign of the good times ahead. Lights go dark. Footage of the crowd is beamed onto stage. Then the iconic The Ecstasy Of Gold – an Ennio Morricone spaghetti western theme complete with graveyard scene visuals – builds the anticipation. 

Finally the stage glows red and bursts into life as the four horsemen of metal stride onto the stage immediately diving into Creeping Death and following suit with the 1984 smash For Whom The Bell Tolls.

As if a Metallica song couldn’t get any better, on Fuel, flames burst from the stage and flicker to the melody before an eruption level of fire engulfs the stage at the climax. 

“It’s been so long since we’ve been here and look how much love there is – you’re beautiful and we’ve missed you” says Hetfield, before shouting out a Make A Wish recipient who got to witness the whole night from the wings. 

You can tell that this show is for the diehards and day-ones, as every single member of the crowd dons a different Metallica tee – emblazoned with their insignia – as they jump up-and-down to the all-too familiar, legendary riffs.

42 years into their career and their legacy is still intact on the hard-hitting The Unforgiven that stirs a frenzy before Wherever I May Roam creates an earth-shattering storm in the crowd as metal hand signs are thrown, perhaps even people. It’s messy, majestic, and just to be expected at a Metallica concert.

An hourglass comes into frame slowly dictating the passage of time as glistening purple lights sprinkle the stage. The magical scene is soundtracked with the harmonious thumping of Lars Ulrich on drums and Hetfield tinkering away to the soothing sound of The Day That Never Comes.

There’s such a casual nature to the band that only comes with years of touring. The instruments are effortless but astounding, the vocals as if taken from the records, and the banter is off the charts. It’s comedy and anarchy rolled into one then baked with a delicious lick of stadium-chanting bangers. 

“Do you want heavy?” screams Hetfield before smacking the stadium full force with Sad But True. Green lasers beam into the crowd. Things are certainly heavy as lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo thrash and zing in harmony as if fighting each other with each guitar lick. 

Things then slow to an enchanting strum for Nothing Else Matters, a change of pace that came at the right time. 

“Do you wanna hear something from Kill ‘Em All?” the crowd of 70,000 certainly does. “Seek” he screams before the response of “And destroy” is screamed back at him just as loud. 

Yellow and black inflatable balls seep into the pit to the glorious rock journey of Seek And Destroy with its devilishly hair-raising final verse as you try to duck and dodge the devastation of balls being pelted at you.

The ante is upped as all members of the band take helm at the front of the catwalk and shred the life force out of Master Of Puppets to crowd now worshipping the gods of rock as they chant “obey your master” getting a gift of fireworks for their efforts and a hearty chuckle. Cue rapture of applause. 

Sounds of fighter jets fill the stadium as smoke appears on the screen. Flames ignite and the sound of bullets and bombs time with sparks and explosives. A battalion troop marches as red lasers beam into the night. It’s a full theatrical release and the song hasn’t even started yet. This is high budget. 

The night ends with a bang on the song even your nephew’s first born will know; Enter Sandman. The boozy punters are on their feet clapping, hooting, and hollering. It’s tangy and tasty and the perfect end to a stellar night.

Every ad lib, every note and strum feels effortless but perfectly rehearsed. It's a true testament to what makes these four gentlemen in one of the most influential rock bands in the world, household names. The visuals are stunning and lusciously expressive. It’s just all so cool! A solid, thought-out, and entertaining two hours for fans, families, and first-timers alike.