Athens witnessed one of the biggest live music events in recent memory as legendary heavy metal band Metallica returned to Greece after 16 years with an explosive performance at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens.

Performing as part of their global M72 World Tour, the iconic band delivered a massive audiovisual spectacle that electrified tens of thousands of fans packed into the Olympic Stadium. One of the evening’s most unforgettable highlights came during the now-famous improvisation segment by bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett, who surprised the crowd by performing the iconic “Zorba” theme by Mikis Theodorakis. The electrified rendition of the beloved syrtaki melody sent the stadium into a frenzy, with thousands of fans dancing and clapping along.

The band also paid homage to the Greek rock scene by performing “Den Choras Pouthena,” the classic song by influential Greek band Trypes and frontman Yannis Angelakas. Fans erupted as they sang every word, creating a rare and emotional connection between international metal culture and Greek alternative rock. For the first time in Greece, concertgoers experienced Metallica’s revolutionary in-the-round stage design — a massive circular platform positioned at the centre of the stadium, allowing fans to surround the band from every angle. The setup brought audiences remarkably close to frontman James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, Hammett, and Trujillo throughout the show.

The concert exploded into action with classics including “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Enter Sandman,” and “Master of Puppets,” alongside tracks from the band’s latest album 72 Seasons. James Hetfield frequently addressed the crowd during the performance, thanking what he described as the “Greek family” for their passionate reception and energy throughout the night. The event also featured powerful opening performances by Gojira and Knocked Loose, helping turn the night into one of Greece’s most memorable concert events of the decade.