10 Years On: Metallica's Last Show in Ireland

It's been a long 10 year wait since Metallica last played in Ireland. The world has changed a lot since then. The Chicago Cubs ended their long wait to win the world series, Donald Trump was elected President and a little thing called Brexit happened. What hasn't changed is the fact that Metallica put on one of the best live shows in the world. It's just a little more than a week away to the Slane gig, so I take a look at the last time they hit these shores.

James and Lars on Stage in Marlay Park - Photo Credit: metallica.com

Metallica were in the midst of their mammoth World Magnetic tour. The band were on their European run on shows after being inducted into the Rock'n'Roll hall of fame and shows in South America. After a long entertaining day from the support that included the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains and Mastodon, the near 40,000 fans were ready to rock.

Metallica set lists' always have the ability to surprise you. I told many people that you can expect to see Blackened, Creeping Death, Fuel and Harvester of Sorrow to open the show. 3 out of 4 isn't too bad. Instead of Fuel the band shocked the crowd and played Whiskey in The Jar. Nobody was expecting it that early. After Harvester, the band shocked us all again. They played their cover of Turn The Page by Bob Seger. It was the first time this song appeared that early on the set list on that tour and it meant that there were 2 covers in the first 5 songs. It was building up to be an exciting evening.

Rob looking intense - Photo Credit: metallica.com

The middle part of the set list was standard for the World Magnetic shows, songs such as Cyanide, Broken Beat and Scarred, The Day That Never Comes and All Nightmare Long all appeared. All the Metallica classics were played as well and it was all topped off by a blistering performance of Fight Fire With Fire. I was front row on the rail that night and can still remember the heat of the pyro during that song. In Metallica's case, it's truly a case of go hard go or go home.

All good things must come to an end. The encore that night was a surprise, just as the start of the show was a surprise. Metallica invited Ray Haller, frontman of the band Sweet Savage to join them in playing Killing Time, which Metallica first covered back in the early 90s as a b-side for The Unforgiven single. The boys ended the night on a double from the Kill 'Em All album, Motorbreath and Seek and Destroy. As was the norm at the time, James let people in the front row sing lines of Seek and he tripped up as he made his way back on stage.

To this day, this gig is up there, along with my first Metallica show as the best and favourite I've been too. I was proud as a freshly faced 17 year old to survive the whole day at the rail to see my favourite band kick everyone's ass. The energy, the rapport and music were all fantastic, a truly life affirming experience. However, the night wasn't done yet. As he was making his way down the stage, saluting the fans and throwing drumsticks out to the crowd, Lars Ulrich spotted me and flung a drumstick straight into my welcoming hands.

Metallica are back in Ireland next week. If 2009 is anything to go by, we are in for one hell of a show. Tickets are still available from the usual outlets and if you haven't booked transport yet, take a look at the link below for all the info you need.

Useful info

If you would like to revisit the 2009 show or experience it for the first time, it can be purchased here.