What Metallica Played 99 Times Around the World and What They Played Only Once

After 99 shows across 26 countries, Metallica has officially closed the curtain on its monumental M72 World Tour. Beginning in Amsterdam in April 2023 and concluding in London on July 5, 2026, the tour became one of the band’s most ambitious undertakings, featuring its unique “No Repeat Weekend” format, in which fans attending both nights in the same city never heard the same song twice. 

With nearly four decades of material to choose from, Metallica constantly balanced fan favorites with newer material from 72 Seasons. Looking back at the tour reveals some interesting trends, from songs that became nightly staples to deep cuts that appeared only once.

We had the chace to see them three times on this tour, Phoenix, Seattle and Denver, all on the no-repeat weekends except they cancelled the second night in Phoenix due to James Hetfeld coming down with Covid. 

Read More: Songs That Metallica Never Played Live

The Songs You Could Count On

Some songs were virtually guaranteed to appear regardless of the year or continent. Classics from the band’s legendary catalog consistently anchored the setlists, proving that certain tracks remain untouchable in Metallica’s live arsenal.

Among the most frequently performed songs throughout the tour were:

• “Master of Puppets”
• “Creeping Death”
• “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
• “Enter Sandman“
• “Nothing Else Matters”
• “One”
• “Sad But True”
• “Seek & Destroy”

These songs dominated every leg of the tour and remained fan favorites from opening night to the final performance in London. 

2023: The 72 Seasons Era

The opening leg of the M72 Tour naturally leaned heavily on the band’s newest album. Released less than two weeks before the first concert, 72 Seasons was front and center.

“Lux Æterna” quickly became the most-played song from the new record, appearing at nearly every show during the first year. Other new songs rotated through the setlists, while longtime classics remained firmly in place.

Some of the year’s rarest performances included “I Disappear,” “Cyanide,” “Through the Never,” and “Fight Fire With Fire,” all of which appeared only a handful of times. 

2024: Refining the Formula

By 2024, the band had settled into a rhythm.

While tracks such as “Lux Æterna,” “72 Seasons,” and “Shadows Follow” from 72 Seasons continued to receive heavy play, the overall balance shifted toward the band’s classic catalog.

Metallica also sprinkled in several cover songs during this stretch, including “Whiskey in the Jar,” “Breadfan,” and “Am I Evil?” Each appeared only once, making them memorable surprises for lucky audiences. 

2025: Back to the Classics

The busiest year of the M72 Tour featured 29 performances and an even stronger emphasis on the songs that built Metallica’s legacy.

While newer material remained in the rotation, classics overwhelmingly dominated the nightly setlists.

One surprising statistic involved “Until It Sleeps.” After receiving multiple performances in 2024, the song appeared just once during the entire 2025 run. Likewise, deep cuts such as “The Shortest Straw,” “No Leaf Clover,” “Too Far Gone?,” “Inamorata,” and “Hit the Lights” became rare appearances. 

2026: A Farewell Across Europe

The final 16 shows took place exclusively across Europe, bringing the three-year journey to a close.

While the overall setlists remained familiar, one notable addition emerged.

“The Unforgiven” finally joined the list of the year’s most-played songs, while “Wherever I May Roam” also became a consistent feature in the tour’s closing leg.

On the opposite end, “Hardwired,” “Fight Fire With Fire,” “Hit the Lights,” and “The Shortest Straw” each surfaced only once before the tour concluded. 

What the Numbers Tell Us

Although Metallica promoted 72 Seasons throughout much of the tour, the statistics show that the band’s foundation remains remarkably consistent.

Songs from Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, the self-titled Black Album, and …And Justice for All continued to dominate the live experience, the non-fan favorite St. Anger tracks had a very limited run. Even as newer songs earned their place, longtime fans still came to hear the anthems that have defined Metallica for more than four decades.

The M72 Tour also demonstrated how committed the band remains to keeping its performances fresh. The “No Repeat Weekend” concept allowed them to dig deeper into their catalog than most major touring acts ever attempt, giving devoted fans a reason to attend both nights while rewarding them with unique setlists. 

The Legacy of M72

Over 99 concerts spanning three years, Metallica proved that few bands possess a catalog deep enough to support nearly 200 unique setlists while maintaining stadium-sized energy every night.

As the M72 World Tour comes to a close, one thing is clear: while albums and eras may change, songs like “Master of Puppets,” “Creeping Death,” “Enter Sandman,” and “Seek & Destroy” remain the beating heart of every Metallica performance.

Those songs weren’t simply the most played during M72. They continue to define one of the greatest live bands in rock history.

We are looking forward to seeing the band in Las Vegas at Sphere in Las Vegas, and one thing is almost certain, they will play Enter Sandman as the last song. 

Poll: How many times have you seen Metallica, let us know in the comments or on socials at Rock n Coasters