Avatar

Following a monumental summer that sees AVATAR supporting METALLICA on their global juggernaut and lighting up some of Europe's most iconic festival stages before heading Down Under to Australia, the Swedish theatrical metal titans are ready to end the year on their own terms. AVATAR are thrilled to...

Our photographer Jess DeSimone captured some exclusive photos for Metal Injection at the Avatar show in Philadelphia.

Metallica launched their first concert of 2026 in Greece over the weekend, treating fans at Athens’ Olympic Stadium to a master-class in thrash. The Saturday (May 9th) performance was preceded by monster opening sets from Gojira and Knocked Loose, and then ‘Tallica took over with a 16-song set stretchin’ as far back as Kill ‘Em All’s “Seek Destroy” and running up to 72 Seasons’ “Lux Aeterna.” Notably, the Athens show was a one-night only affair, rather than played as part of their “No Repeat Weekend” concert staging format. All the same, Metallica brought out the big guns throughout, from “Creeping Death” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” to “Master of Puppets” and “One,” to “Sad but True” and the night-closing “Enter Sandman.” Mid-show, bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett went off-script with one of their “doodles”, working themselves through a playful version of Zorba the Greek’s “Zorba s Dance” before attempting Grecian rock outfit Trypes “Den Choras Pouthena.” You’ll find fan-shot footage from the night up above and down below, where you’ll likewise find the setlist details in full (per setlist.fm). Metallica’s European tour continues Wednesday (May 13th) at Bucharest, Romania’s Arena Națională, which will also be with Gojira and Knocked Loose. Their spring run of “M72 World Tour” dates also include shows with Pantera and Avatar. Later in the year, Metallica start staging shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, which continue into 2027. You’ll find all show details here. Metallica setlist 5/9/26:Creeping DeathFor Whom the Bell TollsMoth Into FlameKing NothingLux ÆternaThe UnforgivenFuelKirk and Rob Doodle ( Zorba s Dance and Trypes Den Choras Pouthena )Fade to BlackWherever I May RoamNothing Else MattersSad but TrueOneSeek DestroyMaster of PuppetsEnter Sandman