Metallica, Evanescence, Suicidal Tendencies @ Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 5/11/2025
The hottest ticket in town was Metallica performing at Adelaide Oval with Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies to some fifty five thousand people going down as one of this year’s very best. Absence has definitely made the heart grow fonder last here twelve years ago with front man James Hetfield stating “woah man, hold on a second. Look at all the love Adelaide has for us and heavy metal”. Whether you’re a die hard fan or a keen observer this was the complete experience and I would be very surprised if anyone walked away disappointed.
Adelaide was well and truly humming as the masses converged on Adelaide Oval. The vibe was electric and there was a sense of anticipation that we all would experience something quite remarkable. The impact and benefits of such large concerts in the heart of the city can’t understated either providing much economic stimulus to the hospitality sector serving as a subtle prompt that the State Government should be doing more to entice bands of the ilk of Metallica to come here. If Metallica can, everyone can.
The weather was perfect with a blast of sunshine as Suicidal Tendencies hit the stage bang on half past five. The energetic front man Mike Muir, mad as a cut snake, was on attacking their set full throttle leaving nothing to spare. Gee whiz he covers some ground and no doubt clocking up more than ten thousand steps. They made their intentions clear on You Can’t Bring Me Down asking the large crowd there early to get their fists in the air and scream “you can’t bring me down”. As Muir put it “I speak from the heart, with the right purpose” with the stage being “the church of Suicidal Tendencies”.
Muir got in amongst the crowd on one of their big singles Institutionalized whipping up a frenzy as he worked his way through the crowd. Take nothing away from the rest of band either with bassist Tye Trujillo, guitarist Ben Weinman (Dillinger Escape Plan), elderstatesman Dean Pleasants (rhythm guitar) and star import Jay Weinberg (ex-Slipknot) on drums making this one formidable line up. Send Me Your Money and Subliminal packed an almighty punch with new tune Adrenaline Addict featuring special guest Nisha STar. The anthemic Pledge Your Allegiance with the iconic chant of “ST!” “ST!” “ST!” left fellow Adelaidians with the bold reminder that they won’t be forgetting about Suicidal Tendencies any time soon.
Not bad for first blood!
Evanescence need no introduction either offering subtle contrast to the general flavour of this show. By this stage the sun had not quite set yet and if it was darker I’m sure the lighting and smoke effects would have been all the more impressive. Take nothing away from their performance though, they were marvellous. Hard to believe it wasn’t that long ago either that we saw them play at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre back in 2023. This was definitely something incredible with a career spanning set list that left no stone untouched. Right from opener Afterlife it was hard not to be in awe and mesmerised with what unfolded. There is a touch of something magical about what Amy Lee brings to their music. A big tick for Going Under before “taking the power back” on Take Cover. The crowd were transfixed and where the tendency would be to head off for a drink they stayed knowing that they were on song.
Theatrical and cinematic are words that come to mind in a set that boasted the likes of The Game Is Over, Lithium and Wasted On You. The magic didn’t end there either with Call Me When You’re Sober and the self empowerment themed Use My Voice equally as impressive. The big guns were to come and how’s this to finish their sixty minute set with My Immortal and Bring Me To Life. The crowd were well and truly up and about finding plenty of voice to sing these songs back to the rest of the band. Wow! Speechless! I am without speech! The stage had been left smouldering with only the mighty Metallica to come.
The moment had finally come and it has felt like an eternity since the tour was announced and tickets went on sale. For the next two hours it was all Metallica! The sore knees, sore back and sore everything else from standing was a distant thought. AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll) set the tone as the back drop of all old photos from the journey so far set a nostalgic feel but a warm welcome to the ‘Metallica Family’. Then it was Ennio Morricone’s The Ecstasy Of Gold that provided the intro for James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo to take the stage with aggressive guitars and pounding drums to plough through Creeping Death.
The seminal bell ringing in For Whom the Bell Tolls drew wild applause and cheering and even forty years later this still sounds as brilliant. There is plenty of love for Metallica and this was far more than just a show but two where we can forget all of our problems and “get it all out of the system”. Career defining album Master Of Puppets was well represented with the next two Leper Messiah and King Nothing keeping that nostalgia going on Fade To Black. The later was written “two hundred years ago” with Hetfield using this as the opportunity to say “we don’t want to lose anyone else to suicide” encouraging open discussion reflecting on his own struggles and knowing what his “darkness looks like” reaffirming the position that “you’re not alone”.
Upping the ante on Fuel pyros were unleashed looking visually spectacular revving up the crowd even more. Hetfield said that was fun and needed to “adjust their wings, change a diaper or a girdle or two” given the floor to Rob and Kirk who could “do whatever the hell we want” doing a great improv jam of INXS Need You Tonight and The Angels Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again getting the crowd involved on the “no way, get fucked, fuck off” part. Fame and what it does to people inspired Moth Into Flame with Hetfield saying “I like what you’ve done with the place” referring to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. Make A Wish gave a young Cody to perfect opportunity to be a part of the Metallica experience reinforcing the statement we’re in the “Metallica Family” and whether it was your first time or second or third “you came back for more because it feels good”.
Mobile phones light up Adelaide Oval on Nothing Else Matters to full effect with the crowd going nuts on Seek And Destroy and loads of beach balls being unleashed creating some additional entertainment and a nice souvenir if you could bag one. “Adelaide, you’re fucking beautiful baby!” Hetfield stated then going with Lux Æterna and crowd favourite Master Of Puppets. Visually, One was a stand out and the pyrotechnic display was next level. The anthemic Enter Sandman was brilliant seeing the fifty five thousand strong crowd going off in unison. That one was for the highlights reel and the firework topped things off perfectly. Saying their final goodbyes and throwing loads of picks out in the crowd Hetfield roared in to the microphone “Metallica loves Adelaide!” leaving fans pondering the thought will there be a next time. Epic event, we need more of this in Adelaide.
Live Review By Rob Lyon