Metallica played for 90 minutes on Glastonbury’s famous Pyramid Stage on Saturday, with highlights including One, Cyanide and an extended version of Master Of Puppets.
The band is the first metal act to headline the festival since its inception in 1970.
Drummer Lars Ulrich said: “That was sensational. I don’t remember much of it… the energy was fantastic.”
Asked to describe his Glastonbury experience in one sentence, Lars Ulrich simply said: “Other-worldly.”
Even the band’s detractors would have been hard-pushed to deny their musicianship.
Fans and supporters lined the back of the stage as they ended the main set with Nothing Else Matters and Enter Sandman.
“Metallica. Glastonbury. Together at last,” declared songwriter James Hetfield.
“That felt good.”
Returning for an encore of Whiskey in the Jar and Seek and Destroy, the band launched dozens of black Metallica-branded weather balloons into the audience, triggering a giant game of dodgeball between the audience and security guards.
“Metallica loves you, Glastonbury,” said James Hetfield as the band took their final bow.
“You made us feel so good. Thank you for having us.”
Taking the microphone, Lars Ulrich added: “There’s no place on this earth like this beautiful Glastonbury Festival. Thank you for letting us be part of your experience and we hope to see you one more time.”
Formed 33 years ago, Metallica’s best-known songs include Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters and Master of Puppets.
Prior to their arrival on the Pyramid Stage, Metallica played a clip of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, in tribute to actor Eli Wallach, who died this week.
Ennio Morricone’s Ecstasy of Gold, which features in the classic Western, has been Metallica’s introduction music for many years.
The band also addressed criticism of James Hetfield’s involvement with pro-hunting groups head-on, showing an extended clip of an English fox hunt, soundtracked by Sweet’s glam rock classic Fox on the Run.
At the climax of the hunt, four men in bear costumes shot the riders from their horses.
The bear’s heads were removed to reveal the four grinning members of Metallica.
Metallica rocked Glastonbury with a strange mix of arrogance and humility.
Speaking to the crowd 15 minutes into the set, James Hetfield said: “Glasto – Metallica is grateful to be invited to such an event.
“We’re very proud to be representing the heavier side of music.”
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