Metallica’s live performance at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland on December 18, 1983, is a defining moment in the band’s early years, showcasing their raw energy and potential. At this point, Metallica was still an emerging force in the thrash metal scene, fresh off the release of their debut album, Kill ‘Em All, and the band’s sound was beginning to solidify. This show is now considered a part of heavy metal history, capturing the fierce intensity and youthful aggression that would come to define Metallica’s legacy.
Though the exact setlist from this specific performance isn’t readily available, the general setlists from this era often included a mix of the band’s original compositions from Kill ‘Em All, along with covers of classic metal anthems by bands that greatly influenced them. Based on this, we can speculate on what Metallica might have played during the night of December 18, 1983:
Setlist for Metallica at Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, OH, 12-18-1983:
- Hit the Lights
- The Four Horsemen
- Jump in the Fire
- Phantom Lord
- No Remorse
- Seek & Destroy
- Metal Militia
- Whiplash
- Motorbreath
- (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth (Bass Solo)
- Am I Evil? (Diamond Head cover)
- Blitzkrieg (Blitzkrieg cover)
- Let It Loose (Savage cover)
- Killing Time
- Overkill (Motörhead cover)
The Raw Energy of Metallica’s Early Years
During their early performances, Metallica was known for its ferocious live shows, marked by lightning-fast tempos and aggressive thrash rhythms. Their performance at the Agora Ballroom likely included a mix of the head-banging anthems from Kill ‘Em All—like “Hit the Lights,” “Seek & Destroy,” and “Whiplash”—alongside covers of some of the bands that influenced them, such as Diamond Head, Blitzkrieg, and Motörhead. These covers paid homage to the heavy metal forefathers who helped shape Metallica’s sound.
The inclusion of Cliff Burton’s iconic bass solo, “(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth,” was a hallmark of Metallica’s early shows. Burton, known for his virtuosic bass playing, would frequently take center stage during this piece, showing off his ability to manipulate the instrument in unconventional and mind-bending ways. It was a moment for fans to appreciate his musicality and for Burton to truly shine as a pivotal member of the band.
Covers That Defined Metallica’s Influences
The covers of Am I Evil? by Diamond Head, Blitzkrieg by Blitzkrieg, and Overkill by Motörhead were a tribute to the bands that laid the foundation for thrash metal. These songs are more than just covers; they represented Metallica’s deep respect for the genre’s pioneers. Am I Evil?, in particular, would go on to become a fan favorite and a staple of Metallica’s live performances for years to come.
A Snapshot of Metallica’s Future
While the Agora Ballroom performance was still in the early stages of Metallica’s career, it was clear that they were destined for greatness. The crowd’s enthusiasm and the band’s electrifying energy on stage proved that Metallica was a force to be reckoned with. In just a few short years, they would rise from playing clubs like the Agora Ballroom to headlining massive arenas and cementing their place as one of the greatest metal bands of all time.
Even as Metallica’s sound evolved over the years, the raw power and thrash intensity captured during this 1983 show remained a defining characteristic of their musical identity. The band was still hungry, still eager to prove themselves, and the Agora Ballroom concert was a key moment in their journey to world domination.
This legendary performance is a reminder of the band’s early days—when they were still a hungry, up-and-coming thrash metal band with a passion for music and a drive to carve their name into the annals of metal history. The December 18, 1983, show at Agora Ballroom was one of many stops that would ultimately lead Metallica to their status as pioneers of the thrash metal genre and icons of the heavy metal world.