An Open Letter: The Time Has Come — Metallica and Mötley Crüe Announce Epic Final Joint Tour – Dates and Cities Revealed
In a thunderous moment that has rocked the global music scene, two of heavy metal’s most iconic bands — Metallica and Mötley Crüe — have officially announced their final joint tour, aptly titled “The Last Riff: One Nation Under Metal.” The announcement was made via a powerful open letter jointly signed by James Hetfield and Nikki Sixx, posted on both bands’ official websites and social media channels.
The letter reads less like a farewell and more like a victory march — a poetic, fiery, and emotional tribute to decades of chaos, triumph, and rebellion. It also confirms what fans around the world have long speculated: the era of Metallica and Mötley Crüe sharing the stage is coming to an end — but not without a proper send-off.
The Open Letter: A Message to the Metal Masses
Titled “The Time Has Come,” the joint statement pulls no punches. Hetfield and Sixx open with a nod to their shared history:
“We were forged in fire, sound, and sweat. We didn’t ask for permission. We built this on volume, on venom, and on vision. Now, the time has come to ride together one last time.”
The letter is full of emotion, describing how the bands have “bled on the same stages, burned down the same arenas, and watched generations of fans grow up, scream louder, and raise the horns higher.”
It ends with a promise:
“This is not a goodbye. It’s a celebration — of every power chord, every smashed amp, and every soul who ever believed in the church of rock. Let’s go out the way we came in — loud.”
“The Last Riff” Tour: Dates and Cities Revealed
Spanning 21 cities across North America and Europe, “The Last Riff” is more than a tour — it’s a global metal pilgrimage. The bands will co-headline every show, alternating closing duties each night. The tour kicks off on August 8, 2025, in Los Angeles, where both bands first performed in the early 1980s, and wraps in London on November 2, 2025, at Wembley Stadium.
Tour Dates and Cities (Partial List):
- August 8 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
- August 11 – Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium
- August 14 – Dallas, TX – AT&T Stadium
- August 18 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
- August 22 – New York, NY – MetLife Stadium
- August 26 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre
- September 1 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium
- September 10 – Mexico City, MX – Foro Sol
- September 18 – Berlin, DE – Olympiastadion
- September 22 – Paris, FR – Stade de France
- October 1 – Milan, IT – San Siro Stadium
- October 12 – Madrid, ES – Estadio Metropolitano
- October 25 – Glasgow, UK – Hampden Park
- November 2 – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Additional dates in South America and Asia are rumored but unconfirmed at press time.
One Stage, Two Legends
The tour promises to be a career-spanning, pyrotechnic-packed showcase of both bands’ greatest hits. Metallica will deliver classics from “Master of Puppets,” “Ride the Lightning,” “The Black Album”, and beyond. Mötley Crüe will unleash their arena-rock anthems like “Kickstart My Heart,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Home Sweet Home,” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.”
Rumors of guest appearances — including Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Joan Jett, and Ghost — have only added to the hysteria surrounding ticket sales.
Legacy on the Line
For both bands, this is a full-circle moment. Metallica, formed in 1981, became pioneers of thrash metal and one of the most commercially successful bands of all time. Mötley Crüe, also formed in the early ‘80s, brought glam, sleaze, and raw sex appeal to arenas — redefining rock-and-roll excess.
Despite their different styles, both bands helped shape the soundtrack of a generation. This final tour isn’t just a farewell — it’s a reminder of the enduring power of real, unapologetic, electric music.
Fan Response: Pure Metal Mayhem
Within an hour of the announcement, #TheLastRiffTour trended globally on X (formerly Twitter), with fans expressing both heartbreak and excitement. Comments ranged from “Crying and moshing at the same time” to “I waited my whole life for this lineup.”
Pre-sale tickets are set to launch June 25 via both bands’ websites, with general sales opening June 28. VIP packages, exclusive merch, and signed memorabilia will be available, including a limited-edition tour vinyl box set.
The Final Word
The open letter closes with one final call to arms:
“To everyone who ever screamed with us, slammed with us, or simply turned the volume up — this one’s for you. Let’s raise the horns, burn it down, and ride the last riff into eternity.”
As Metallica and Mötley Crüe prepare for their final ride together, the world is bracing for the most monumental farewell in rock history. One thing’s for sure — this won’t be quiet.
Get ready. The last riff is coming.
