The UNCOMFORTABLE truth about Metallica live in 2026
After nearly five years, I was finally able to see Metallica live in 2026 once again. And in all honesty, it was a very strange experience for me, as it did feel like I was watching a completely different band.
Now, those of you who follow me on Instagram know, because of living in Ukraine, I actually missed the past four and a half years of Metallica’s touring. And the last show before this year that I was able to witness was actually their 40th anniversary gig in San Francisco, so all the way back in 2021. But this year I was finally able to witness the now longest tour this band has ever done, and the longest metal tour ever, M72, attending both of the gigs in Frankfurt, Germany for my birthday.
So just keep in mind that everything that I’m going to be talking about is actually coming through the prism of a person who hasn’t seen Metallica live for nearly four and a half years. Although, of course, I did watch gazillion of their live performances online, and did cover those extensively on this show.
00:00 – Intro
00:17 – The disclaimer
00:49 – Metallica Pop Up store
03:47 – Opening acts – low & high
06:56 – And then came Metallica…and the M72 stage
08:24 – It’s family
09:52 – Why James Hetfield shocked me
11:16 – Perfect imperfections
11:51 – Setlist surprises
13:46 – The uncomfortable truth
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Background music: “Uberpunch” Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.
@MetalPilgrim
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
My unsettling (for some people) look at ReLoad – https://youtu.be/JdvEW3vsVT4 Talking about what many Metallica fans completely misunderstand about this album
@danielvega5077
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
Watch him become a bait.
@William11bravo
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
Good thing I seen Metallica with Cliff before he died. I don’t need to see this band ever again.
@Tulio_Fonseca
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
11:16 i agree 100%. Expecting flawless performances from 4 different human beings over 60 years of age is actually kinda dumb, tbh. I mean, people LOVE to complain and point fingers when singers use pitch-correction softwares. And most of these also complain whenever Lars makes mistakes. In my humble opinion, we should be glad and thankful to have these guys alive and kicking, with loads of bonuses, like James still singing greatly and being the absolute KING/ POWERHOUSE of rhythm guitar. Trujillo has GREAT chops and energy…
Bottom line is: let's cut the whining off and bring da gratefulness. 🤘🤘🤘
@davidperez5089
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
Your fav lp being ride made me think,
It could be mine if it werent for the repetitve drawn out ktulu.
1 dud is all it takes…
Puppets for me, rtl close 2nd.
@BongBong6983-x3d
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I'm going to see them when they come to the Philippines
@guilhermegarcia8750
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
A pathetic band of grandpas, having huge difficulty to play their songs
@gmotionedc5412
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
All that is too expensive for me.
@jamesmcaulay4656
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
Load and reload are a load of dross.
@TheStrykerProject
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I'm so glad you got to go and enjoy a Metallica concert, again! Hang in there, my friend! 🤘🏻✌🏻
@pags409
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
r u kidding?? this is your worst video, period. makes me wonder if you’re legit afterall
@text3263
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I was right next to you on May 24th at the concert, a little to the right 🤘
@jezzalexander
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
3 hrs to get into a merch (pop up) store and buy a t-shirt?
'King Hell.
@juls4468
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I attended both shows in Frankfurt for my very first Metallica concert as a younger fan. I can definitely say this is an experience I wont ever forget. It was very emotional for me to see one of my favourite bands right infront of me; and what a show it was! Metallica sounded great, they are obviously not perfect but they are doing really great for their age. Loved James energy, you can tell he was having much fun!! And I cant forget about the crowd. As someone who went there alone I really felt like I am part of this huge family and there was never a second where I felt out of place just bcuz I was there by myself. Met and talked to a bunch of nice folks. I hope in near future I can see them again because this is an experience I just want to have again!
@clair_high
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I haven't seen them live since 1989. I can't afford to see them now. 😲
I do have my tour shirt from then. I've worn it maybe a handful of times. It meant a lot to me to go to that show.
@DJW_
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I'm 32, I was just at the 2 Budapest shows, travelled from Ireland to see them for the 16th time since 2008 and those 2 shows were 2 of the best I have ever seen yet. Puskas arenas audio was phenomenal minus a couple of very brief blips. Cannot wait for Dublin tomorrow and Sunday now 😊
That said Gojiras sound for Budapest was fuckin shit, avatar were awful, knocked loose were the perfect time to go for a piss and Pantera were phenomenal
@hoppinonabronzeleg9477
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
Sorry but metallica went up their own arses years ago, a fat flabby band with little interesting to say anymore. 4 overpaid millionaires, knocking out halfhearted dross. The amount of money they ask for tickets is obscene! The merch stall says it all. No in-store appearances, just selling shirts to keep a pile of white powder on the table. They are no different from the KISS money making machine.
I am still a fan of the 1st 3 albums, I saw 'em with Cliff. Many times with Jason, but when they gave a million bucks to replace Jason. Things had gone south., Compare with when they replaced Cliff, they did a massive drive/audition/drinking session to find Jason. Then Sake drinking in Japan. To just give a million bucks to Truhillio seemed a cop out. I started to lose interest.
Black album was dross, the rot started then End of!
@lucasgandelini9834
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
It's unforgivable that this is their boggest tour ever and they still haven't come to south america!!! Unthinkable, specially for the biggest metal band on the freaking planet
@clausm2203
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I love metallica but im glad i saw them in 1992 and 1993 with jason newsted on the black album tour i feel like they were in their prime then and it was a metal audience and nothing but respect that they are still going
@AmericanNationalist852
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
Metallica hasn't put out anything worth listening to since Justice.
Fight me.
@galacticstarboozer2203
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
All of that slobbering you just did made me uncomfortable, that sorta counts as a 'truth.' Ya know, I don't think Metallica charges enough tbh.They should have their own flex pay system, like Disney. Look at all the cash they leave on the table. They should charge people outside the stadium, that can still technically hear 'Gimmie foo Gimmie fi gimme blah blah blah.' Hear me out. For only $80 + made up fees, you can sit in the parking lot, and the merch vendors wheel up to your Kia! And what about the staff? They get to listen to Battery for free?? Hell no. Deduct those freeloaders paychecks! IT'S SO METAL!
@Doublef8h
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
The Pantera cover band
@mattessel
June 19, 2026 at 2:41 am
I saw them 6 times before 1990….no desire to see them since or now.