Metallica Launch Las Vegas Sphere Residency in Spectacular Fashion: Video + Setlist

Metallica commenced their eagerly awaited "Life Burns Faster" residency at Las Vegas' Sphere on Thursday night, delivering a mesmerizing spectacle accompanied by an electrifying 16-song set. The residency will span 24 dates on Thursdays and Saturdays through March 2027, with each performance featuring a completely distinct setlist on alternate nights.

Metallica unveiled video footage of every song on their official Instagram page, showcasing breathtaking imagery that accompanied each track on the Sphere's immense interior wall.

The band opened the evening with "Battery," a first-time appearance at the opening of a show since 2014, followed by "Creeping Death" from Ride the Lightning. The setlist encompassed 10 of the band's 11 studio albums, omitting only St. Anger. The four most-played songs were taken from "The Black Album," which includes "Sad But True," "Wherever I May Roam," and "Nothing Else Matters," and "Ride the Lightning," featuring "Creeping Death," "The Call of Ktulu," and "Ride the Lightning."

Other noteworthy performances included the first appearance of "The Black Album" title track since 2014, as well as the first performance of "Now That We're Dead" since 2021.

Metallica concluded the night with a powerful duo of "Seek & Destroy" and "Master of Puppets," with the latter's visuals featuring a field of crosses from the artwork of the Master of Puppets album. Fans curious about the absence of classics like "Enter Sandman," "One," and "Fade to Black" can look forward to these songs on the Saturday performances.

It is worth noting that there will be no repeating setlists from Thursday to Saturday for each week of the residency. Further details, including the setlist and captivating visuals from the Sphere's kickoff, can be found in the Instagram clips below.