James Hetfield Gives His Thoughts On Metallica Becoming 'A Legacy Band'

Metallica 's been around for more than 40 years, and if they really wanted to they could get away with becoming a legacy band who just plays their greatest hits on tour. But they don't. Although the sets of their M72 world tour include plenty of classics, they also feature songs off Metallica's latest album 2023's 72 Seasons .

In the latest episode of the band's Metallica Report podcast , James Hetfield gave his thoughts on the matter. “I think that the confidence, the fact that the 72 Seasons album is well received and some of the songs that we’re playing live work and they kind of fit seamlessly in with all the catalog, all the albums we have," the frontman explained. "We’re not afraid of it, but we’re not overindulging in it as well. We know people wanna hear the ‘best of,’ and you’ve gotta challenge them to listen to some of the new stuff as well, ’cause we certainly don’t wanna be a legacy band that just plays their greatest hits and then that’s it.”

“It’s all a part of it. I think the confidence of us and the stage, being on stage, knowing that, hey, all mistakes are a part of the show ," he added. "That’s part of what we say before we go out: hey, all mistakes are free. And it’s not a mistake. Really, that word is kind of ridiculous in a way. It’s just a unique way of playing it that night. Everyone gets to enjoy whatever happens right then. And frankly, I think it’s a challenge.”

Metallica recently announced another North American leg of the massive tour. Listen to the podcast above and see tour dates below.

Metallica 2025 Tour Dates

04/12 – Las Vegas, NV @ Sick New World Festival

04/19 – Syracuse, NY @ JMA Wireless Dome *

04/24 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre *

04/26 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre +

05/01 – Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium *

05/03 – Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium +

05/07 – Blacksburg, VA @ Lane Stadium *

05/09 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Music Festival

05/11 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Music Festival

05/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field +

05/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field *

05/28 – Landover, MD @ Northwest Stadium *

05/31 – Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium *

06/03 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium *

06/06 – Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium +

06/08 – Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium *

06/14 – Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium *

06/20 – Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium +

06/22 – Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium *

06/27 – Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High +

06/29 – Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High *

* = w/ Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies

+ = w/ Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills