Metallica Returns to Syracuse Selling Out the JMA Wireless Dome 4/19/25

Photos by Chris Besaw

Review by Kelly Besaw

Metallica returns to Syracuse for the first time in almost thirty years to perform to a record breaking crowd at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Metal legends Metallica were welcomed back to Syracuse by almost 48,000 excited fans this past Saturday. The band offered a variety of events to celebrate including a two-day pop up shop loaded with Syracuse exclusive merch, a volunteer food bank event, a blood drive, a movie screening, a cigar and whiskey tasting event all to get fans primed and engaged prior to the show. I admire the band’s support and engagement with the local community. It was rumored that Kirk Hammett had a small oven delivered to his hotel room so that he could cook meals and that James Hetfield was spotted buying groceries at the local Salt City Market.

I attended the event at the local Food Bank coordinated by All Within My Hands, Metallica’s foundation and was joined by Metallica fans from the area but also from Argentina, Mexico and Canada. Together, we packed over 1200 bags of food for Syracuse city children facing food insecurity. It was an incredible way to start the day and get pumped for the concert.

Metallica is known for having some big opening acts and for this tour, they brought along with them metal veterans, Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera.

Suicidal Tendencies kicked off the evening with nothing but raw energy. Lead singer, Mike Muir, does not stop moving. Even when he is standing still, he’s thrashing the entire time. The band is loaded with talent, guitarists Ben Weiman and Dean Pleasants make the heaviest riffs look simple and Tye Trujillo, son of Robert Trujillo is a beast on the bass just like his dad and Jay Weinberg beats the heck out of the drums holding the beat with ease.

The band got the crowd warmed up playing some of their notable hits including, “You Can’t Bring Me Down” and “Subliminal.” Syracuse fans also got to experience the live debut of “Adrenaline Addict” featuring Nisha STar. Suicidal Tendencies did a great job getting the crowd energized for the rest of the night.

Up next was Pantera. Singer, Phil Anselmo took the stage barefoot and was followed by the rest of the band. Pantera, is another band that is loaded with talent. Original members, Anselmo and Rex Brown are joined by drummer Charlie Benante and guitar legend Zakk Wylde. The band played a heavy set including, “A New Level,” “Strength Beyond Strength,” “Walk” and “Dominion/Hollow.”

It was rumored that fan favorite “Cowboys From Hell” was cut from the setlist due to time constraints.

It was time for the moment Syracuse had waited almost thirty years for. The anticipation was starting to build as fans were rushing to their seats to catch the first glimpse of the band. Several people wondered where the drum kit was as the clock ticked 8:35 and there was no drum setup in sight. At 8:45 on the dot, the bagpipes blared through the PA system blasting ACDC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Fans were on their feet cheering and dancing. I got chills as Metallica’s longtime intro, “The Ecstasy of Gold” played. Lars appeared first, making his way around the exterior of the pit slapping hands with the crowd. The drum kit, that was strategically placed underneath the stage, popped up and Lars took his place as the rest of the band took the stage, Kirk, Robert and last but not least, James. The band started off with riff heavy “Creeping Death” followed by “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

Metallica knows how to put on a show. Everything from their stage in the round setup that allows band members to interact with every side of the venue, to their carefullly crafted set lists that include songs from every era of Metallica, there is something for everyone.

Hetfield paused to tell the crowd that it’s been a while since they have been in Syracuse. The last time was at Lollapalooza in 1996 at the Fairgrounds. I sure hope they don’t wait another 30 years to come back.

Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo showed off their skills playing “Broken Beat and Scarred.” While Hetfield took a short break. Then it was right back to business with “The Day That Never Comes” followed by the high energy, pyrotechnic filled “Fuel.” They slowed things down a bit with “Nothing Else Matters” and “Sad but True.” “One” is always epic and this time was no different. They ended on a strong note with “Master of Puppets” and the evening’s finale “Enter Sandman.” Giant yellow and black beach balls with 72 Seasons on them were thrown out into the crowd and after Sandman, the band threw out tons of pics and Lars gave out several drum sticks to lucky fans. The band gathered to take a bow and the evening came to an end.

Setlist

Intro – It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)

Intro – The Ecstasy of Gold

Creeping Death

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Hit the Lights

King Nothing

Lux Æterna

Screaming Suicide

Kirk and Rob Doodle

(“Broken, Beat & Scarred” with drum backing track; First performance since 2013)

The Day That Never Comes