Metallica have finally wrapped up their M72 World Tour, more than three years after its first show. In all, the tour spanned 99 shows, starting in Amsterdam, Netherlands on April 27, 2023, and ending in London on July 5, 2026. During that time, the M72 World Tour touched 26 different countries, with the U.S. hosting 39 shows, followed by Germany, Canada, and the U.K.
2023: The 72 Seasons Era Begins
The first leg of the tour launched shortly after the release of 72 Seasons. With a new album to promote, the band leaned heavily into fresh material. The single “Lux Aeterna” emerged as the most played track during this initial run, though it would see less prominence in later years.
Most played: “Lux Aeterna” (15 times); “Master of Puppets,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Sad But True,” “Creeping Death,” “Enter Sandman,” “Fade to Black,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Fuel,” “One,” “Orion,” “Seek & Destroy” (14 times).
Least played: “I Disappear,” “Cyanide” (one time); “Through the Never” (two times); “Fight Fire With Fire” (three times).
2024: Maintaining Momentum
In 2024, the band continued their “no repeat” promise in cities with multiple shows. Reliance on 72 Seasons remained strong, with the title track joining “Lux Aeterna” among the most frequent setlist additions.
Most played: “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Lux Aeterna,” “Master of Puppets,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “72 Seasons,” “Creeping Death,” “Enter Sandman,” “One,” “Sad But True,” “Seek & Destroy” and “Shadows Follow” (16 times).
Least played: “You Must Burn,” “Whiskey in a Jar (Cover),” “Through the Never,” “Breadfan (Cover)” and “Am I Evil (Cover)” (one time).
2025: A Shift Toward Classics
Metallica’s busiest year for the tour featured 29 shows, including first-time stops in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Middle East. During this period, the band began pivoting away from newer tracks in favor of established crowd favorites.
Most played: “Creeping Death,” “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” “Master of Puppets,” “Enter Sandman,” “Fuel,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “One,” “Sad But True” and “Seek & Destroy” (22 times).
Least played: “Until It Sleeps,” “The Shortest Straw” and “No Leaf Clover” (one time); “Too Far Gone?,” “Inamorata” and “Hit The Lights” (two times).
2026: The Final Curtain
The tour concluded with 16 European dates. While the setlists remained standard, “The Unforgiven” made a notable entry into the most-played category for the first time during the tour’s duration.
Most played: “Creeping Death,” “Enter Sandman,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Fuel,” “Master of Puppets,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “One,” “Sad But True,” “Seek & Destroy,” “The Unforgiven” and “Wherever I May Roam” (12 times).
Least played: “The Shortest Straw,” “Hit the Lights,” “Hardwired” and “Fight Fire With Fire” (one time).
