News
Review: Metallica electrifies with a powerful performance on Night 1 of its Minneapolis takeover
Aug
The metal legends’ first of two U.S. Bank Stadium performances during their “No Repeat Weekend” included some rare deep cuts and a revitalized intensity.
Last summer, downtown Minneapolis was awash in pink, red, midnight-blue, and sparkly sequins as Taylor Swift took over U.S. Bank Stadium for two nights. This summer, the streets around the Vikings’ field are dominated by a sea of black, black, more black, and the occasional touch of shiny leather studs, as witnessed on Friday during the first of two nights with Metallica.
Like Swift, Metallica knows how to turn a concert into a special event. They did it back in 2016 when they played one of U.S. Bank Stadium’s inaugural concerts, and they’re doing it bigger than ever this weekend in the same massive venue. Fan activities, including film screenings and even a bowling night, are happening around town in conjunction with Metallica’s two concerts, which are spaced out over Friday and Sunday to give the band a break on Saturday. After all, delivering a blistering performance of “Creeping Death” at 61 isn’t easy.
Additionally, Metallica is promoting it as a “No Repeat Weekend,” meaning Sunday’s setlist will be entirely different from Friday’s, which began with the crowd-pleaser “Creeping Death.”
The opening acts are also rotating each night. Wolfgang Van Halen kicked off Friday’s concert with his band Mammoth WVH, delivering a Foo Fighter-esque set that showcased not only his budding guitar hero status but also his powerful rock vocals.
In the middle slot, Pantera defied expectations, rising from the ashes to deliver a hell-raising performance despite the loss of its co-founding brothers, drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. The Texas band’s frontman, Phil Anselmo—whose guttural growls were as raw and gritty as ever—led the reformed group through an hour of thunderous sludge-metal.
Anselmo was backed by metal veterans Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde. Though not exactly newcomers, both played songs like the opener “A New Level” and the set highlight “Walk” with the same youthful energy and bravado that the Abbott brothers brought in the early ’90s.
“Everything we do, every [expletive] note we play is for Dimebag and Vince,” Anselmo declared. A video tribute to them followed. Judging by the intense fan response on Friday, the new Pantera could easily draw the same massive crowds as in the past if they continue touring.
Metallica M72 Minneapolis MN Night 1 Poster For The Show Concert Music At US Bank Stadium On August 16th 2024 The Viking Skull Artwork Two Sides Unisex T-Shirt
