METALLICA recently shared a professionally filmed video of their performance of “The Unforgiven” from their first concert in Saudi Arabia on December 14. The band headlined the opening night of the Soundstorm festival in Riyadh. Their setlist included 16 songs like “Creeping Death,” “Enter Sandman,” and “Master Of Puppets.”
Other artists at Soundstorm included Pharrell Williams, Chris Brown, H.E.R., BLACK EYED PEAS, J Balvin, Anne-Marie, and DJs Tiesto and David Guetta. The festival, organized by MDLBEAST, drew over 600,000 people and featured various entertainment options.
METALLICA’s Middle East debut was in 2011 in Abu Dhabi, with a return performance in 2013. Drummer Lars Ulrich remarked on the diverse audience and the changing global acceptance of their music.
The Saudi metal scene is also evolving. In October 2022, IMMORTAL PAIN became the first heavy metal band to perform at a major public event in Saudi Arabia at Comic Con Arabia. In 2019, CREATIVE WASTE played what is believed to be the kingdom’s first public metal concert. Saudi metal artist Meshari Sangora sees a bright future for the genre in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, thanks to venues like Syrup in Riyadh and The Music Space in Jeddah supporting indie musicians.
#Metallica's setlist on their first Saudi Arabia show on Dec. 14, 2023.#Soundstorm23 pic.twitter.com/GDRWXMxfUH
— MarieFranceRemillard (@MFRemillard) December 14, 2023
