Metallica’s “M72” tour has been a spectacle of epic proportions, and the band’s recent performance in Munich, Germany, added a historic moment to their storied career. On May 26, 2024, at the Olympiastadion, Metallica played “Inamorata” live for the first time ever. This track, which closes their 2023 album “72 Seasons,” is the longest song in Metallica’s catalog, clocking in at 11 minutes and 10 seconds.
Frontman James Hetfield introduced the song with a heartfelt message to the crowd. “This next song, we have never, ever played live before,” he said. “And, you know, in our band we don’t recognize the word ‘mistake,’ because there are no mistakes; there’s just unique moments that happen, all right? That’s what we need to tell ourselves. This one is from ’72 Seasons.’ It’s one of my favorites, so I’m gonna like it.”
The performance of “Inamorata” was a highlight in a setlist that included classics like “Creeping Death,” “Harvester of Sorrow,” and “Enter Sandman,” as well as other tracks from “72 Seasons” such as the title track and “If Darkness Had a Son.” The Munich crowd was treated to a diverse array of Metallica’s extensive repertoire, making the night unforgettable.
“Inamorata” is a song that Hetfield has described as having a “love affair with misery.” In a track-by-track breakdown of “72 Seasons,” he elaborated on the song’s meaning, saying, “It’s a long classic song that screamed out to end the album. Really, really cool riffs in it, really great groove. I love the way it rounds this thing out.”
Bassist Robert Trujillo also shared his thoughts on the song, particularly the bass breakdown. “I believe James had a vision of having this sort of SABBATH-y, ‘Geezer-esque’ moment where the bass is sort of a naked moment,” Trujillo said. “It feels raw, but at the same time it’s got this dark beauty to it. And what I tried to do was really just close my eyes and channel every note.”
The “M72” tour has been a massive undertaking, with the band performing two-night, no-repeat shows in each city. This format has allowed fans to experience a wide range of Metallica’s music, ensuring that no two nights are the same. The tour, which began in April 2023 in Amsterdam, has seen the band travel across Europe and North America, with more dates to come.
Hetfield spoke about the challenges and excitement of the tour in an interview with “The Metallica Report.” “What I’m going into is unknown,” he said. “The anxiety level was off the charts at the beginning of the ‘M72’ tour. Like, how are we gonna cover this stage? But as soon as I share them with the other guys, they’re like, ‘Yeah, but I got this and I got this.’ It’s like, ‘Oh, okay. Okay. I want mine back. That’s okay.’ So it’s a known. We know what we’re up against and we know what shape we need to be in. And it’s just fun. Now it’s just fun.”
The Munich show was part of the European leg of the tour, which will continue through July before the band heads back to North America in August. The tour will conclude with four shows in Mexico City at the end of September.
Metallica’s production for the “M72” tour is a logistical marvel, traveling in 87 trucks and employing a crew of 130 people, plus additional local hires and truck drivers. The band’s manager, Cliff Burnstein, noted that between 80% and 90% of fans at each concert attend both shows, a testament to the band’s enduring popularity and the unique format of the tour.
The “M72” tour has also been a platform for Metallica to support their All Within My Hands foundation, which aims to assist and enrich the lives of community members who have supported the band. The foundation focuses on combating food insecurity, providing disaster relief, and offering scholarships.
As Metallica continues their tour, fans can look forward to more unforgettable performances and perhaps even more live debuts of tracks from “72 Seasons.” For now, the live debut of “Inamorata” stands as a significant milestone in the band’s illustrious career, showcasing their willingness to push boundaries and deliver unique experiences to their fans.
