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Metallica's latest album, Hardwired to Self-Destruct, is hitting a high note with fans; Rolling Stone described this year's tour as "Metallica at their biggest: seemingly hundred-foot screens that stretch to the upper rafters of the gigantic venue, chest-rattling bass drum that approximates Lars Ulrich personally kicking you in the gut, and pyro displays that include 40-foot flames that turn into fireballs and fireworks galore." Its WorldWired tour has sold out huge venues on three continents—including several football stadiums. Last night, they performed at Busch (maybe because St. Louis is such a baseball town?) which created an additional variable with the weather.

When storms rolled in late yesterday afternoon, Chicago's Local H, who kicked things off at 6 p.m., contended with the worst of the summer downpour, with a measure of good cheer. They were followed by Danish metal band Volbeat, who threw logo'd boxing gloves into the crowd (the band's latest album, Seal the Deal and Let's Boogie, makes use of boxing themes).

By the time Metallica took to the stage at 9 p.m., the rain had faded out to a drizzle, but one got the sense that fans (many clad in water-repellent ponchos and rain gear) would've stuck it out even if the downpour had continued. The large, enthusiastic crowd was definitely ready for the band to start, and immediately went into rocking-out mode. Metallica, despite their rock 'n' roll cred, are always the consummate professionals, and did not disappoint, playing until past 11 p.m. with a set that included songs off the new album plus the essential tunes that fans came to hear (including "Enter Sandman" and "One" and "Nothing Else Matters"). The aforementioned pyrotechnics were not just a complement to the music, but offset the dreary weather as well. For more on Metallica, here's Melissa Meinzer's preview of the show; a set list is below.

Openers Volbeat and Local H

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SET LIST

Hardwired

Atlas, Rise!

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Fuel

The Unforgiven

Now That We’re Dead

Moth Into Flame

Wherever I May Roam

Halo on Fire

Whiplash

Sad But True

One

Master of Puppets

Fade to Black

Seek & Destroy

Encore:

Battery

Nothing Else Matters

Enter Sandman