Metallica will officially kick off their extremely epic and unique tour, M72, at Johan Cruijff Stadium in the Netherlands.
M72 will span 2023 and 2024, introduced globally by Liquid Death and Blackened American Whiskey (North America only) and promoted by Live Nation. This is a promotional tour for the album 72 Seasons.
Promote new album
72 Seasons is Metallica’s 11th studio album, released on April 14 through the group’s record label Blackened. Produced by Greg Fidelman as well as Metallica members James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, at 77 minutes, the 12-track album is the group’s first collection of new material since 2016’s Hardwired… To Self-Destruct The album was released in vinyl, CD and digital formats.
Member James Hetfield explains the name 72 Seasons: “72 seasons correspond to 18 years. The first 18 years of life form who we are, whether real or fake. It is associated with the concept that we are imposed by our parents. I think the most interesting part here is the constant rumination on faith and how it affects our perception of the world today.”
James added: “Much of our adult experience is a re-enactment or reaction to these childhood experiences. We are either prisoners of childhood or know how to escape the cages that we bring.”
The album received relatively positive reviews from critics with a Metacritic score, based on 20 reputable sources, of 76/100. Never before has James Hetfield delved so deeply into the traumas of youth, bringing authentic pain under the guise of rough metal. Even more commendable is that after more than 40 years in their career, Metallica still finds new things to express on the group’s core foundation.
In its first week of release, 72 Seasons earned 146,000 equivalent album units in the US. Of which, 134 thousand came from sales. The album is currently ranked No. 2 on the Billboard 200, Metallica’s 12th top 10 on the chart. In addition, the album topped many countries such as England, Germany, France, Australia and entered more than 50 charts around the world.
After revealing the album 72 Seasons, Metallica continued to announce the M72 tour: “We told you about the new album 72 Seasons. So what will we do next after leaving the studio? Of course Let’s go! You want a tour, we’ll do a tour. Is a series of shows lasting 2 years possible?”
“Over the years, we’ve been incredibly inspired by the dedication and community vibe of our fans who traveled to San Francisco to join our recent celebration weekend, first in 2019 with 2 S&M2 shows, following the 40th anniversary shows last year” – the group shared about the great motivations for going on the road – “In addition, we had a great experience as a part of the Wimmer 2021 festival when playing 2 nights in the same city, each night has a completely different setlist (list of songs performed in a show). With all those emotions, the M72 tour has born”.
Many new things
According to the schedule, M72 will start on April 27, visit 22 different cities around the world and especially, “play 2 nights in each city, with each No Repeat Weekend show bringing a complete experience.” completely different: 2 completely different setlists with different opening bands each night! Buy a 2-day ticket and you won’t have to listen to the same song twice in a total of more than 30 songs spanning over 40 our lucky year of making music” – according to Metallica’s website.
To accommodate two completely different shows on the weekend, the group will share the stage with many other groups each night, including some previously invited groups and friends who are joining for the first time. They are Five Finger Death Punch, Ice Nine Kills and Mammoth WvH, sometimes Pantera, Architects, Greta Van Fleet or Volbeat, depending on the show.
Not only pleasing to the ears, M72 also ensures satisfaction to the eyes by bringing a completely new stage appearance, in which the round stage is moved to the center. In particular, Metallica’s famous Snake Pit stage will be located in the center of the stage so fans can have a complete 360-degree view of the show.
Most shows will take place on Friday and Sunday. In between free time, the group also brings many side events for fans to have fun and interact. Each weekend, the show also offers a variety of enhanced experiences, from meet-and-greet access, stage and production tours, food and drinks in the Black Box lounge to stage entry and Early Snake Pit.
2-day tickets went on sale on Ticketmaster.com on December 2, 2022, including the option to pre-order Metallica’s new album, 72 Seasons, on CD or vinyl format. The 1-day ticket was released on January 20. In particular, the extremely popular Black Laminate ticket also returns with the name I Disappear Ticket. This is a ticket that allows fans to attend every M72 show around the world. This time M72 also launched discounted tickets for fans under 16 years old. Other information such as fan club pre-sale tickets and enhanced experiences are detailed on the group’s website.
A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will go to Metallica’s All Within My Hands fund. Established in 2017, the fund has supported many meaningful programs. Of the $13 million raised, $5.9 million went to fund educational programs in the US, more than $2.5 million to fight food insecurity, and more than $3.2 million for disaster relief efforts worldwide.