On May 24, 2024, Metallica kicked off the European leg of their M72 World Tour at Munich’s Olympiastadion, delivering a performance that became instant legend. As the opening riff of “Master of Puppets” roared, a torrential downpour unleashed, soaking the band and thousands of fans in a scene straight out of a rock epic—rain, lightning, and raw metal fury colliding.
The timing was unreal. Just as James Hetfield struck the iconic riff, a lightning bolt tore across the sky, electrifying the crowd. It was a moment of pure, unscripted magic—a challenge Metallica embraced with unrelenting grit.
At the heart of the night was Hetfield’s guitar, “Carl,” a custom Explorer built from wood salvaged from the band’s original garage at 3132 Carlson Boulevard in El Cerrito, California. This was no ordinary instrument—it was the birthplace of “Master of Puppets,” “Ride the Lightning,” and Metallica’s early sound. Drenched in rain, “Carl” sang with the weight of the band’s history in every note.
The storm didn’t stop Hetfield. Soaked but defiant, he let “Carl” roar through the chaos. Fans were floored, watching the rain-slicked guitar—a piece of Metallica’s soul—shine under the stadium lights. Social media exploded, with fans calling it “metal as hell” and “a moment for the history books.” One quipped, “That lightning? Cliff Burton’s approval from above.”
Technically, “Carl” was a beast. Built with sealed electronics and rugged EMG pickups, it defied the downpour, delivering flawless sound. This was no mere prop—it was a testament to craftsmanship and resilience.
Lars Ulrich later shared that the storm caught them off guard, but with a circular stage and a roaring crowd, stopping wasn’t an option. Metallica leaned into the chaos, turning a wild night into a triumph.
The setlist was stacked with classics, but “Master of Puppets” stole the show. Images of Hetfield—rain streaming down, “Carl” slung low—became iconic. A TikTok clip of the moment racked up over 800,000 likes, capturing the raw, unfiltered power of Metallica in the storm.
Fans and critics hailed it as one of Metallica’s greatest recent shows. It wasn’t just the music—it was the defiance. No theatrics, no retreat—just four musicians battling the elements. “I was there,” one fan wrote. “It felt like myth—rain, lightning, that guitar.” Another called it “a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
In Munich, Metallica didn’t just play—they channeled their legacy. With “Carl” screaming under a stormy sky, Hetfield and the band proved their fire still burns. For those who witnessed it, this wasn’t just a concert—it was a testament to Metallica’s enduring spirit, forever etched in rain and thunder.
