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Tonight’s Metallica concert is impossible to review without context. For brevity’s sake, it goes as follows: I got into rock music around 10: Judas Priest, Ozzy, In A Gadda Da Vida, but Metallica was my real introduction. I started at the pinnacle: Justice and Puppets and my adventure with metal went on from there. I saw them twice in 1991, already disappointed by their latest offering and the next time was in 1997. They were terrible.

We all lived through the next decade before Robert Trujillo and Death Magnetic reinvigorated the band. They’ve been excellent ever since. 2025 would be the first time I’d seen them in 28 years and I was excited. Erin got skybox seats. It was going to be great.

I left school early, drove to Erin and we muscled through rain and traffic and hit the pop-up store first. Since I lost my Justice poster years ago, I grabbed a flag of the album and we went to a restaurant. There was no rush because we got there early and hit the venue with plenty of time to spare. Despite pre-paid parking, our spot was pretty far away. We walked in and met some of Erin’s coworkers, impressed by our vantage point of the upcoming trio of bands.

Drinks were good and flowed continually throughout the night. Suicidal Tendencies opened and the rain continued on. They were one of the first bands I got into in the late ‘80s, but I only truly love a few releases. I recognized most and they closed with Pledge Your Allegiance, one of my favorites. That Trujillo’s son played with them, much as his father did decades ago, was not lost on me. It was the beginning of a long night of looking back while enjoying the day.

Setlist:

1. You Can’t Bring Me Down
2. Institutionalized
3. Subliminal
4. Send Me Your Money
5. Adrenaline Addict
6. Pledge Your Allegiance

Pantera followed – whom I hadn’t seen in 20 years. Having witnessed them twice (once in 1997 and again in 2001), I know full well the power these guys can produce. Despite replacing the brothers – a dismissive perspective of the situation – they sounded fantastic. Charlie may be the best drummer out there and Zakk was phenomenal. This was my first time seeing him. The setlist didn’t surprise but certainly pleased. I should have more to say about them, but it was just all an appetizer for the headliner.

Setlist

1. A New Level
2. Mouth for War
3. Strength Beyond Strength
4. Becoming
5. I’m Broken
6. Cemetery Gates
7. 5 Minutes Alone
8. This Love
9. Fucking Hostile
10. Walk
11. Domination / Hollow
12. Cowboys From Hell

The rain stopped, the skies darkened and it was time to see how well 28 years have aged my first favorite band. As Ecstacy Of Gold began, Erin asked me what song it was, while handing me another drink. It was going to be a good night.

Creeping Death and Bells began and the familiar songs sounded remarkable. One of the biggest selling points of this tour setup is how good things sound from any perspective. What are they gonna play next? I’m a fan of almost their entire catalogue and their setlists are always filled with one or two surprises. Dun dun dun…Dun dun dun DUN! My eyes widen. In the weeks leading up, I had my wishlist of songs – nothing impossibly exotic – but ever since my band covered Leper Messiah in the summer of 1992, it’s been one of my favorites. And they were playing it! “Time for lust, time for lie, time to kiss your ass goodbye!” The harmony part in the middle. This song is pure metal and I gobbled it up. And I was sold. Tonight was gonna be a great night!

On paper, these setlists just read as a lineup of words, without conveying the potency, anticipation and excitement revealed by each new line. And while only one other song shocked me, I was fully satisfied and pleased by it all. Memory Remains followed with an extended outro and impressive crowd participation. Transitional pieces help build the suspense and the first single from the new album followed – and was just wonderful. While the second song from 72 Seasons was next, it was also probably the weakest portion of the evening.

Kirk and Rob did their usual doodle, with some unfamiliar bits and a throwback to a song they only played at the 30th anniversary show. Then, the sole, lengthy track from Death Magnetic, this track has it all: clean and heavy. Melodic and upbeat. And the band killed it before another interlude led into Fuel. I don’t love this song or the album, but again, the song was better than the setlist entry. However, what followed was my second OMFG moment and one that will stick with me forever. As the synth introduced Orion, I held my hands to my head. This song, way back in 1989, defined what music could be to me. Moody harmonies. Methodical rhythmic chugging. That entire middle section. I couldn’t believe my ears.

And at that moment, the night transformed from a rock concert, a familiar revisit, to an emotional journey. I was brought back to the 80s as a teen. My mind strayed to the 90s when I was in my 20s. Throughout my marriage and parenting in my 30s and 40s. The song that changed my life was echoing throughout the stadium and the decades of my life. The band was enjoying themselves and sounded as good as ever. And tonight was one of the greatest shows of my life.

The next six songs are standard setlist fare, but James’ words plucked at my heart strings. About being family. Sticking together. One was just about as good as it could be and while I prepared to leave at this point, skipping out on Sandman, we were treated to Seek and Puppets in full. Our exit took too long, as did the drive, and the next day was a rough one. But in the end, it was a fucking spectacular concert. Memories of the drive, the bands, the people I met, the experience of a sky box – all in all, simply unforgettable.

Setlist

1. Creeping Death
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls
3. Leper Messiah
4. The Memory Remains
5. Lux Æterna
6. If Darkness Had a Son
7. Kirk and Rob Doodle
8. The Day That Never Comes
9. Fuel
10. Orion
11. Nothing Else Matters
12. Sad but True
13. One
14. Seek & Destroy
15. Master of Puppets
16. Enter Sandman

Today’s initial prospect of heading to Baltimore early and venturing through the city was altered due to the near-100° temperature. We set off around 3 and it took a full three hours to arrive: quite frustrating as the city is a mere 82 miles away.

The streets were crawling with Ghost fans: some donning face-paint, several with nun costumes and more same-band-as-the-show t-shirts than I’ve ever witnessed. We parked on the fifth floor, knowing full well that the exit would be a lengthy departure. As doors opened at 6:30, we hung out in the AC before joining a couple who was pre-gaming. We all walked in together just as the skies opened, reminding us why we appreciated purchasing attached-to-the-building parking in advance. The long line to enter was due to the usual ticket and security checks, but also so phones could be stored in specialized pouches. This regulation meant we got no pictures whatsoever but also resulted in fans being more engaged, chatty and connected. Fast forwarding a bit, a guy beside us filmed a few clips of the band before being escorted out for doing so. Good! While I love to snap a few pics, living and breathing the moment hearkened back to concerts of my youth where, sometimes lamentably, no footage exists outside of my ever-fading memory. I digress.

Kairi and I waited in the merch line, got beverages and I chatted with some folks while waiting before proceeding to our seats, promptly for the 8pm start time. The stage was surrounded by tall curtains and our seats, in section 123, offered about as good a view as possible for our budget. Religious choral music echoed and we eyeballed the staff preparing to drop said curtain but as the lights dimmed, Ghost started with Peacefield via live video. When it did drop, the vantage of the large stage impressed and Papa skipped around with his usual jovial energy. The five-piece band is now joined by a trio of singers, two playing keyboards, but the stage backdrop felt subdued: a pair of monitors flanking the octet and not much else.

Banging out back-to-back new songs was unsurprising, with Lachryma following, each offering catchy choruses and pristine production. Spirit succeeded and Per Aspera Ad Inferi was an older one that Kai and I were less familiar with. What followed this, however, was a run of pure magic, mixing old, new, poppy, dark and altogether riotous fun. Faith and Majesty sounded utterly phenomenal: catchy breakdowns, spot-on drumming and Papa’s voice leading through the darkness. He spoke briefly afterwards about the state of the world and shocked my progeny with The Future Is A Foreign Land, one of her favorite songs. After a quick instrumental interlude, Cirice began, the single that truly started my fascination with the band. We were both in awe of the song choices and that sentiment did not diminish as the night continued.

Though I wasn’t familiar with the lone song from the debut LP, the next seven songs were absolute perfection, weaving the middle records with banger after banger. Highlighted moments include thrusting arms in the air, chanting, “Hail Satan” while pyrotechnics melted our faces off. The chanting chorus of Rats. The soothing beauty of He Is. Then there’s the progression of the stage show: while fire is necessary, the evolution of the large screen behind was remarkable. Changing from religious iconography to animated videos, exploding graphics – the entire presentation felt like it was worth the extra bucks the tickets cost. Massive bursts of shredded money (confetti) filling the air, Papa levitating in full uniform for an entire song – all were bombastic and thrilling.

Concluding with Monstrance Clock, one of my favorites, the crowd felt a bit weaker than I’d have hoped, but since encores are no more reliant upon crowd participation (and to be fair, Baltimore was indeed excited) a trio of songs would wrap up the night. Kairi’s face lit up upon Dance Macabre and the performance’s finale, Square Hammer turned all stage screens into video of the crowd. By this point, Ghost had accomplished it all and it was just bonus joy, icing on the delectable cake. The driving chorus evoked unbridled zeal: “Are you on the square? Are you on the level? Are you ready to swear right here, right now, before the devil?” The screen displayed devil horns jabbed skyward everywhere. The huge screens projected make-up laden faces, Papa plush dolls that were sold out front, joy gushing in all forms. A large Ghost logo descended behind the band and sparks spewed out around it. Smoke bellowed across the stage. And among the thousands, Kairi and I were jumping up and down to the beat – with our neighbor joining in. As it all concluded, sparks were raining down, Papa, arms outstretched, looking up, donning his purple jacket – absorbing the energy, represending the ultimate showman. An altogether brilliant show on all levels.

Superlative adjectives and a killer setlist aside, the best moment of the night was easy to pinpoint. Darkness At The Heart Of My Love. A song I almost dismissively enjoy, and one whose lyrics I don’t particularly retain, a certain phrase stuck with me while plucking at those chords of my heart: I’m with you…always. Looking left, I could see an enormous smile on Kairi’s face. Far less concerned with the overarching scheme of life and this concert’s place in it – she was having a great time. As the evening progressed, I secretly spied similar innocent emotions: wonder, anticipation, shock and surprise! The quieter moments produced poignant appreciation, exuberant enthusiasm during more explosive ones. This show was superb, one whose excellence was compounded by her excitement. Despite decades of age separation, the result is the same – an experience neither of us will ever forget.

Full Setlist:

1. Peacefield
2. Lachryma
3. Spirit
4. Per Aspera ad Inferi
5. Faith
6. Majesty
7. The Future Is a Foreign Land
8. Devil Church
9. Cirice
10. Darkness at the Heart of My Love
11. Satanized
12. Satan Prayer
13. Umbra
14. Year Zero
15. He Is
16. Rats
17. Kiss the Go-Goat
18. Mummy Dust
19. Monstrance Clock
20. E: Mary on a Cross
21. E: Dance Macabre
22. E: Square Hammer

Concert Reviews Main Page

I remember hearing In The Nightside Eclipse in my freshman year of college. It truly was beyond my comprehension at the time and while it grew on me, it was Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk that was the moment of my tr00 conversion to black-metal fanaticism. Still, the band’s debut album always held some sense of mysticism: the raw production, legendary album art and airy allure kept it almost at an unreachable level of appreciation. Until tonight, that is.

I was fortunate enough to see the band in 2006 (sans Samoth) in New York and then again in 2017 in Norway where they played all of my top-10-favorite album Anthems in its entirety. When the mini-tour in the spring of 2025 was announced, imagine my surprise that this small Maryland town would be privy to host the mighty Emperor’s presence. Tickets were secured without a moment of hesitation. The fact that Nightside would be celebrated on this night was merely icing on the proverbial cake.

Google took me straight through DC for my trip this evening and the stop lights aplenty were enough to diminish spirits. Arriving in time to catch a glimpse of Wolves In The Throne Room was fortunate, and I enjoyed their droning sounds as I waited in the lengthy merch line. A quick trip to the bar and the head, not in that order, led me to meeting up with Tim, Erin’s former colleague, whom I’ve seen almost annually, after last years Mother’s Day Wayfarer concert and At The Gates’ revisit of Slaughter Of The Soul in 2022. The conversation was heavy on AI and the inevitable demise of the future, but I respect his vantage point and his words I revisited in the coming days.

Unfortunately, such distracted banter and my less-than-two-week-old surgery meant that we didn’t get very close for tonight’s festivities. I was quite disappointed in that, but while my desires to be close are never far from my thoughts, being anywhere near was impractical. Far away I resided for the night, as evident by some of my photos.

The album’s intro began with members emerging one by one into view. Ihsahn arrived last, just as the opening blast beats began and Into The Infinity Of Thoughts issued forth, its memorable-yet-simple riff accompanying Trym’s consistent rhythm. Shoulder injury may have relegated me to the detached realms of the venue, but my enthusiasm was not affected by said distance. I was immediately immersed into one of the less-known but most-influential recordings in history. They sounded fucking fantastic. Almost unrealistically so. The draw of the original LP is its sound and production, but it’s not the most approachable. Tonight, I could hear it all: Secthdamon’s booming bass, appropriately-mixed keyboards, Trym’s clocklike perfection and the one-two punch of Samoth and Ihsahn – it was fucking perfect.

That this was all written as teenagers isn’t lost on me. The Burning Shadows Of Silence, Cosmic Keys To My Creations & Times – it’s all such nonsense. But it sounded simply incredible. With each subsequent song, my appreciation grew. Emperor has always been my favorite black-metal band and despite having seen them twice before, tonight cemented this forever, with Nightside magically moving up my favorite-albums-ever list despite being three decades old.

And thus, as the night continued on, I realized that black metal – now three decades old – is all grey. Neither Ihsahn nor I have yet to hit 50, but Samoth certainly has. Tim mentioned how he resembled Father Time. The band’s balance between the extreme and the melodic – few have done it as well as they did on this record and this evening’s performance sounded as good as I could’ve hoped.

The final two songs from Nightside are legendary in their own right and they were both, almost dismissively, just as expected: phenomenal. This alone would’ve constituted a perfect evening but of course, there was more. While other shows (Europe, mainly) had some early-era material, they instead moved along with newer songs: one of my least-favorite IX Equilibrium songs, the requisite Prometheus entry and four from Anthems. You can guess which from each appeared, but predictability does not diminish quality and as Ye Entrancemperium concluded, my enthusiasm was exhausted. I often revisit my introduction to this song way back in 1997. The moody vastness of Alsvartr leading into the mind-boggling speed of this track was indubitably my introduction to their claim: “Emperor plays Sophisticated Black Metal Art exclusively”. Holy shit, it exceeded even my lofty expectations.

The night’s outro, The Wanderer, felt apt. An epic finale to a journey decades in the making. Having seen them several times over numerous years and in different states and countries – the voyage from teenage angst to mature adult – it all felt both perpetual and fleeting. I’d certainly see the band again, but I couldn’t ask for anything more after such a tremendous night. Simply amazing.

Setlist

1. Into the Infinity of Thoughts
2. The Burning Shadows of Silence
3. Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times
4. Towards the Pantheon
5. The Majesty of the Nightsky
6. I Am the Black Wizards
7. Inno a Satana
8. Tape: Opus a Satana
9. Curse You All Men!
10. Thus Spake the Nightspirit
11. The Loss and Curse of Reverence
12. With Strength I Burn
13. In the Wordless Chamber
14. Ye Entrancemperium