Scotland hasn’t seen heavy metal royalty Metallica on Scottish soil since 2017, leaving a packed Hampden Park in Glasgow filled with thousands of starved fans—many experiencing the thrash icons live for the very first time. The wait was instantly forgotten the second the band tore into “Creeping Death” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” sending the Glasgow crowd into absolute uproar.
Metallica Hampden setlist sparks pure energy
One of the night’s most explosive highlights was an unexpected performance of “Fuel,” complete with a massive pyro display. What makes Metallica so legendary is their sheer onstage vitality; James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo didn’t miss a single beat, and their onstage camaraderie remains a joy to behold.
The heavy-hitting anthems kept coming. The Hampden roar was deafening as the crowd belted out “One” and “Sad But True.” Very few things could match the brilliant chaos of giant Metallica beach balls raining down on the pitch during “Seek and Destroy.”
The Verdict: Metallica are a legacy band that still fiercely delivers live. Whether it takes them 10 months or another nine years to return to Scotland, the Glasgow chapter of the Metallica family will always show up.
The gig wasn’t just a masterclass in metal; it was a lesson in gratitude. From the extra attention showered on the fans packed into the Snake Pit to the band’s genuine delight of being able to see faces of fans because it was still bright out when they played. Metallica displayed a level of humility that many modern artists could learn from.
By the time the 50,000-strong crowd roared through the final notes of “Master of Puppets” and “Enter Sandman,” Glasgow was left entirely voiceless but “the memory remains.”
Heavyweight support: Gojira and Knocked Loose crush it
Gojira brings Olympic scale to Glasgow
French metal titans Gojira are no strangers to touring with Metallica. They delivered a colossal main support set. Old-school fans were treated to heavy favorites like “Backbone” and “Flying Whales,” while the stadium shook to contemporary hits like “Stranded” and the galloping drum patterns of “The Cell.”
In a massive treat for the Glasgow audience, opera singer Marina Viotti joined them onstage. Together, they delivered a blistering rendition of “Mea culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)”—recreating their iconic 2024 Paris Olympics moment—alongside an extra harmonious performance of “The Chant.” On this form, it won’t be long before Gojira are headlining Hampden themselves.
Knocked loose spark massive Glasgow mosh pits
Opening the day, hardcore heavyweights Knocked Loose absolutely rolled heads. Frontman Bryan Garris commanded the stadium with ease, at one point inciting five or six separate mosh pits across the Hampden pitch during obliterating tracks like “Suffocate,” “Counting Worms,” and “Deep in the Willow.”
The Kentucky outfit also treated the early crowd to new track “Hive Mind.” Following an unrelenting, ferocious set, Knocked Loose undoubtedly walked away with thousands of new Scottish fans.
Written by Elizabeth Ramanand.
