A Long Way to the Top — and Still There: Metallica Reign Supreme in Melbourne
A cold Melbourne night became a celebration of sound and endurance as Suicidal Tendencies, Evanescence, and Metallica took over Marvel Stadium. With 50,000 fans filling the venue, the evening unfolded as a powerful display of energy, nostalgia, and unrelenting musicianship.
Suicidal Tendencies opened with unfiltered ferocity. Mike Muir’s intensity was immediate—pacing, spinning, and hurling himself into the crowd mid-song. Their new single Adrenaline Addict, featuring Australian singer Nisha STar, stood out as both a crowd favourite and a marker of the band’s new chapter. It is their first single in seven years and the debut Australian tour with Jay Weinberg, whose drumming injected the set with fresh power. As the mix settled, the stadium filled with raised fists and chorus shouts during “Cyco Vision” and “Pledge Your Allegiance.”
Evanescence followed with a set that balanced drama and grace. Amy Lee’s voice filled the closed roof of Marvel Stadium with stunning precision. Songs such as “Afterlife,” “Lithium,” and “Imaginary” carried the audience through waves of melancholy and momentum. During “My Immortal,” Lee sat at the baby grand piano and led the stadium in a moving moment of unity, the light from thousands of phones illuminating the crowd. The band closed with “Bring Me to Life,” reaffirming their place as one of rock’s most emotive live acts.
AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)” heralded the arrival of the headliners, accompanied by vintage Melbourne ticket stubs, city snapshots, and footage of Metallica’s early Australian shows. As Ennio Morricone’s The Ecstasy of Gold rang out, Metallica took the stage to an overwhelming roar. “Creeping Death” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” hit like thunder, with Lars Ulrich’s relentless drumming and James Hetfield’s signature growl shaking the foundations. Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo shared perfect synchronicity, particularly during the now-traditional doodle, their on-tour jam dedicated to each city. For Melbourne, they tore into The Living End’s “Prisoner of Society,” with a brief nod to INXS’s “Don’t Change.” The crowd responded instantly, singing every word of the hometown anthem.
The setlist moved seamlessly through eras. “Fuel,” “The Unforgiven,” and “Wherever I May Roam” carried the band’s classic weight, while “Nothing Else Matters” provided a softer moment of reflection. During “Seek & Destroy,” dozens of yellow and black beach balls descended from above, bouncing through the crowd as fans shouted along to every line.
The closing sequence was an onslaught of legacy. “Master of Puppets” turned the floor into a storm of movement, followed by “One,” its visual production staggering — flaming pyrotechnics, strobing lights, and haunting battlefield imagery amplifying every note. Then came “Enter Sandman,” the opening riff met with a roar that shook the rafters. As the crowd bellowed “Exit light, enter night… take my hand, we’re off to never-never land,” 50,000 voices became one.
Metallica performed with the precision of veterans and the passion of their earliest days. As the final pyros faded, the band tossed guitar picks into the crowd, smiling and waving before taking a final bow. Standing together, they looked out over the sea of faces with what seemed like quiet gratitude — a moment of connection between legends and those who have followed them for decades. The band remains a monument to endurance, power, and unity. After four decades, they continue to command the stage with unmatched authority, and for one night in Melbourne, heavy music once again felt like a shared language.
SETLISTS
Suicidal Tendencies:
Can’t Bring Me Down
Institutionalized
Send Me Your Money
Adrenaline Addict (with Nisha Star)
Cyco Vision
Pledge Your Allegiance
Evanescence:
Afterlife
Made of Stone
Going Under
Take Cover
The Game Is Over
Lithium
Wasted on You
Better Without You
Call Me When You’re Sober
Imaginary
Use My Voice
End of the Dream
My Immortal
Bring Me to Life
Metallica:
Creeping Death
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Fuel
The Memory Remains
The Unforgiven
Wherever I May Roam
Kirk & Rob Doodle – The Living End’s Prisoner of Society / INXS Don’t Change intro
The Day That Never Comes
Moth Into Flame
Sad But True
Nothing Else Matters
Seek & Destroy
Lux Æterna
Master of Puppets
One
Enter Sandman
UPCOMING AUSTRALIAN DATES
Wednesday 12 November – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 15 November – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Tickets available at livenation.com.au
