It’s incredible, yet it isn’t unexpected… we’re still here, and M72 is still going—not just strong, but stronger than ever. While there might not be the hundred-plus gigs each year anymore, there’s no less a level of dedication and commitment to the cause, in this case, the M72 World Tour. Between time spent with rehearsals and the logistics of moving a production on this scale, it’s still an intense undertaking.

2025 moved into that bizarre space where the stadiums seemed to shrink, metaphorically speaking, of course. They began to feel more like arenas. I remember first seeing this production back in April 2023 in Amsterdam. I couldn’t fathom how the guys would ever make that stage seem “local” or comfortably manageable. I stood there pondering the sheer enormity of it. Oh ye (me) of little faith. I can confidently say that a mere two years later, James, Lars, Kirk, and Rob were not just handling but commanding the whole setup, bringing a feeling of “intimacy” to these shows. More than at any time since M72 started, I didn’t feel far away from anything or anyone. Don’t mistake that familiarity with complacency; far from it. The comfort allowed the guys to dig deeper and enjoy the shows more than ever.

Offstage, too, I sensed the most complete level of serenity in them. “Live and let live” is an easy phrase to trot out when you’re reading it off a fortune cookie; it’s a bit harder to achieve in everyday, tangible life. Yet, in my opinion, the guys are more relaxed and comfortable than ever before, not just with each other, but also with everyone’s idiosyncrasies. The result has been an even further shift in vibe. And, look, of course, some of that is due to decades spent together. But, to me, this year also seemed to bring them the most significant levels of peace within themselves… Perhaps that brought a greater understanding of each other. To that end, I will call out the boat group photo in Australia as a particular favorite of mine, not from any technical or compositional standpoint, but for its spontaneity and warmth. The “brotherhood” of it all.

Let’s face it… at its purest, Metallica’s music is about feeling it, screaming it, soaking in all the meanings and similarities with your own life, and expressing them. Whether onstage or off, certain riffs and lyrics evoke a primal reaction, and I saw more of that from the band members this year than since M72 started. So, yes, there are more “screaming” photos than usual in this wrap.

And so it will continue in Athens in May. We’ll be there for more M72 experiences, beautiful collective therapy, and throw-it-the-fuck-down excitement!

That we can is a gift...