72 Seasons

A thunderous live capture from the Hollywood Bowl celebrating decades of metallic history.

72 Seasons is a live album by the American heavy metal band Metallica, capturing their performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on September 10, 2023. It serves as a sonic time capsule of the band's enduring legacy, showcasing their tight musicianship and the electric connection they share with their global fanbase.

Last updated 2026-09-28 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Artist

Metallica

Released

14 April 2023

Recorded

March 2021 – November 2022

Studio

Metallica's HQ (San Rafael, California)

Genre

Heavy metal; thrash metal

Length

77:14

Label

Blackened

Producer

Greg Fidelman
James Hetfield
Lars Ulrich

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The title '72 Seasons' refers to the band's extensive career spanning over seven decades, acknowledging the passage of time and the evolution of their sound. This specific recording marks a pivotal moment where the band revisits a legendary venue, bridging the gap between their early thrash metal roots and their modern orchestral ambitions. The atmosphere at the Hollywood Bowl is described as electric, with the night sky serving as a backdrop to the raw power of four musicians who have defined a genre.

Reader's Guide

The album features a setlist curated to span the band's entire catalog, moving seamlessly from early thrash classics to modern heavy metal anthems. Production was handled by the band's long-time collaborator, ensuring high-fidelity audio that captures the nuances of their live performance without losing the raw energy of the venue. Critically, the release was praised for its dynamic range and the sheer power of the instrumentation, with reviewers noting the band's ability to maintain peak intensity throughout a lengthy set. The recording serves as an essential document for fans who could not attend the residency, offering a front-row experience via high-quality audio engineering. Historically, this release solidified Metallica's status as a perennial live powerhouse, proving that their music transcends generations. It stands alongside other iconic live recordings in their discography, marking another milestone in a career defined by relentless touring and musical excellence.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	72 Seasons	Hetfield, Ulrich, Kirk Hammett	7:39
2	Shadows Follow		6:12
3	Screaming Suicide	Hetfield, Ulrich, Robert Trujillo	5:30
4	Sleepwalk My Life Away	Hetfield, Ulrich, Trujillo	6:56
5	You Must Burn!	Hetfield, Ulrich, Trujillo	7:03
6	Lux Æterna		3:22
7	Crown of Barbed Wire	Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett	5:49
8	Chasing Light	Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett	6:45
9	If Darkness Had a Son	Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett	6:36
10	Too Far Gone?		4:34
11	Room of Mirrors		5:34
12	Inamorata		11:10
Total length			77:14

Track listing from the source article.

Did You Know?

The album title references the band's seven decades of existence rather than a specific musical concept.
It was recorded during the M72 residency, a series of shows celebrating the band's history at iconic venues.
The Hollywood Bowl setting provided unique acoustics that influenced the final mix of the live recording.
This release highlights the band's ability to perform complex arrangements with precision after decades together.