Metallica have officially revealed the setlist for their upcoming 2025 “Shield of Pain” world tour — a colossal, emotionally charged farewell tour that promises to shake stadiums and carve its name into the very foundation of rock history.
The end of an era draws near as Metallica, the undisputed giants of heavy metal, have officially revealed the setlist for their upcoming 2025 “Shield of Pain” world tour — a colossal, emotionally charged farewell tour that promises to shake stadiums and carve its name into the very foundation of rock history. After over four decades of redefining metal with blistering riffs, bone-crushing rhythm, and lyrical fire, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo are ready to deliver one last thunderous ride to fans across the globe.
THE FINAL MARCH BEGINS
Billed as a career-spanning, no-holds-barred celebration of Metallica’s legacy, the Shield of Pain tour is more than a tour — it’s a ceremonial finale, a heartfelt goodbye, and a war cry rolled into one. The band announced the full setlist during a livestream event that nearly broke the internet, as millions of fans tuned in to witness the unveiling.
The 2025 setlist is a dynamic fusion of Metallica’s timeless classics and brutal deep cuts, crafted to satisfy old-school headbangers and newer fans alike. It includes over 20 songs that stretch across the band’s groundbreaking catalog — from Kill ‘Em All to their most recent material.
OFFICIAL SETLIST FOR “SHIELD OF PAIN” TOUR 2025
- Creeping Death
- For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Harvester of Sorrow
- Lux Æterna
- Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
- No Leaf Clover
- Fade to Black
- Fuel
- The Memory Remains
- If Darkness Had a Son
- Master of Puppets
- Orion (Instrumental Tribute to Cliff Burton)
- One
- Wherever I May Roam
- The Day That Never Comes
- Nothing Else Matters
- Enter Sandman
Encore:
- Blackened
- Seek & Destroy
- Damage, Inc.
- Hit the Lights (rotating slot — may change by city)
Notably, the encore includes “Blackened” and “Hit the Lights,” two songs that bookend Metallica’s stylistic evolution — one a ferocious anthem from the late ’80s, the other a raw, primal scream from the band’s birth.
EMOTIONS RUN HIGH
During the livestream, an emotional James Hetfield addressed the fans directly:
“This isn’t goodbye just yet — it’s more like… see you at the edge of the pit. We’ve lived a thousand lives through these songs, and this tour is our way of thanking you for being with us, screaming with us, bleeding with us. ‘Shield of Pain’ is for all of you who’ve been there from day one — and even for those who just joined the ride.”
Lars Ulrich added with a grin, “We’re throwing everything into this. No backing down, no slowing down — just Metallica at full force. Let’s make the world shake one last time.”
TRIBUTE MOMENTS & SURPRISES PROMISED
The tour also promises powerful tribute segments, including a solemn mid-show spotlight on the late Cliff Burton during “Orion,” with never-before-seen archival footage playing behind the band. Sources close to the production team also hint at potential surprise collaborations and rotating tracks depending on the city — with songs like “The Unforgiven,” “Battery,” and “St. Anger” being rehearsed for special appearances.
Pyrotechnics, signature stage designs, and the band’s signature snake pit experience are all confirmed to return — but with amplified intensity. Metallica is said to be pulling out all the stops to ensure this is not just a show, but a pilgrimage.
WORLD TOUR DATES & BEYOND
The Shield of Pain tour kicks off March 2025 in Los Angeles, California, and will stretch through North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. Metallica is expected to play more than 50 shows worldwide, with many dates already sold out within minutes of going on sale.
While the band hasn’t explicitly called this their “final tour,” all signs point to this being their last large-scale global trek.
THE FINAL RIFF
As the farewell bells begin to toll, fans are bracing themselves for the end of a musical dynasty. Metallica’s Shield of Pain isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about legacy, loyalty, and the enduring fire of metal. The stage is set. The amps are roaring. The shield is raised.
Get ready. This is Metallica’s last stand — and it’s going to be biblical.
