Tonight, we take a journey back to a monumental moment in Metallica’s career—July 13, 2003, when the band delivered a legendary performance at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL during their St. Anger album era. This show was part of their Summer Sanitarium tour, where they headlined alongside some of the biggest names in rock, including Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and Deftones. The night was packed with high-octane thrash anthems, melodic moments, and a raw energy that defined Metallica’s evolving sound at the time.
Setlist Breakdown:
- Battery
The night exploded into action with “Battery,” a thrash classic from Master of Puppets. The crowd immediately got swept up in its rapid-fire riff and explosive energy, setting the tone for the entire evening. The band’s intensity was palpable, as they stormed through this blistering opener. - Master of Puppets
Following up with another fan favorite, “Master of Puppets” was nothing short of a powerhouse. The iconic opening riff echoed through the stadium, and the audience roared with approval as Metallica’s performance solidified their place in the history of heavy metal. - Harvester of Sorrow
Metallica kept the thrash momentum going with “Harvester of Sorrow” from And Justice for All. The song’s ominous intro and dark, menacing riffs created a heavy atmosphere that had the crowd headbanging in unison, feeding off the band’s intensity. - Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Next came “Welcome Home (Sanitarium),” a track that brought a slightly more melodic, yet still heavy vibe. The haunting melody paired with intense riffs created a chillingly powerful performance. The crowd’s energy perfectly matched the song’s tension, adding a layer of emotional depth to the show. - For Whom the Bell Tolls
The introduction of the iconic bass riff of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” electrified the stadium. The galloping rhythm and sing-along chorus had the crowd fully engaged, as this classic track took on a new life in the live setting. - Frantic
With the release of St. Anger earlier that year, Metallica incorporated the raw, unpolished sound of “Frantic” into the set. The aggressive energy and gnarly riffs of this song represented the bold new direction the band was taking, much to the audience’s wild appreciation. - Sad But True
Next, Metallica slowed it down (but only slightly) with “Sad But True” from The Black Album. The crushing riff and powerful groove had the crowd moving in time, with the song’s unmistakable energy making it one of the night’s standout performances. - St. Anger
The title track from St. Anger followed, with its raw, snare-heavy sound and intense, confrontational lyrics. While the album had received mixed reviews, the live rendition packed a punch, and the audience couldn’t help but get swept up in the song’s fierce energy. - No Remorse
Returning to their early thrash roots, Metallica blasted through “No Remorse” from Kill ‘Em All. The blistering pace and relentless energy got the crowd moshing and headbanging, proving that Metallica’s early material still holds a special place in their live shows. - Seek & Destroy
The legendary “Seek & Destroy” was up next, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The massive, anthemic chorus and thrashing rhythms had the stadium on its feet, singing and moshing along to this eternal Metallica classic. - Blackened
From …And Justice for All, “Blackened” delivered rapid-fire tempos and searing intensity. The song’s complex structure and apocalyptic lyrics created a dark, atmospheric vibe that resonated with the fans, taking the performance to even greater heights.
Encore:
- Fuel
The first encore song, “Fuel” from Reload, brought the fire back to the stage. The fiery riff and fast-paced energy had the crowd pumping their fists, igniting the stadium once again with its anthemic power. - Nothing Else Matters
Metallica surprised the crowd with the heartfelt ballad “Nothing Else Matters.” The slower, more melodic tones gave everyone a moment to catch their breath, but the emotional connection between the band and the audience was palpable as they sang along to the iconic chorus. - Creeping Death
The energy ramped up once again with “Creeping Death” from Ride the Lightning. The iconic “Die! Die! Die!” chant reverberated throughout the stadium as the song’s intense thrash elements took over, making for one of the night’s most intense and memorable moments.
Encore #2:
- One
The intensity reached new heights with “One,” from …And Justice for All. The haunting intro built into a blistering thrash assault, and its anti-war message resonated deeply, making the live performance even more impactful. The crowd’s reaction was electric, marking this track as one of the night’s most iconic moments. - Enter Sandman
Closing the show with “Enter Sandman,” Metallica delivered their most accessible, stadium-filling anthem. The instantly recognizable riff and massive chorus had the entire stadium singing along, capping off the night with a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable show.
Legacy of the Show:
The Florida Citrus Bowl performance on July 13, 2003, was a definitive moment in Metallica’s career, capturing a unique time in the band’s history. It was a perfect blend of old and new, with the raw, unpolished energy of St. Anger being matched by the undeniable power of their thrash anthems. Despite some mixed reception to the St. Anger album at the time, the band’s live show was a triumph, and the energy in the stadium proved that Metallica’s presence is always a force to be reckoned with.
This show stands as a reminder of Metallica’s ability to command any stage, blending their vast catalog of songs while keeping the crowd engaged from start to finish. For anyone who was there, this show will always be remembered as one of the band’s legendary performances, and for those who missed it, tonight’s Metallica Live from the Florida Citrus Bowl will offer a chance to relive the magic.