Metallica Debuts "Of Wolf and Man" at Sphere
The band played the song for the first time at the Las Vegas Sphere during its Halloween show on October 31, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Magic
Metallica performed "Of Wolf and Man" for the first time at the Las Vegas Sphere on October 31, 2026, as part of a Halloween show. The set opened with "Blackened," "Fuel" and "Leper Messiah," and the song came after "72 Seasons" nearly halfway through.
Why it matters
The performance marks a new addition to the band's live repertoire in a residency venue known for large-scale visual production. It also sets the stage for the band's upcoming 2027 North American tour.
The Halloween setlist included 17 songs, and "Of Wolf and Man" had last been performed on July 3 at London Stadium. Whether the song will be added to future Sphere shows has not been stated.
The players
Metallica
A heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1981 that has become one of the best-selling rock acts in history.
James Hetfield
The lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Metallica, and a co-founder of the band.
Kirk Hammett
The lead guitarist of Metallica who joined the band in 1983.
Rob Trujillo
The bassist of Metallica who joined the band in 2003.
The details
During the set, James Hetfield told the crowd to "seek the wolf in thyself" before launching into the song, which was accompanied by visuals of an apocalyptically red sky and a giant bronze door bearing the heads of all four members. Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo also performed a "Doodle" mixing "I Disappear" with the theme from The Addams Family, while Trujillo wore a bright red wig.
Timeline
- July 3, 2026: Prior performance of "Of Wolf and Man" at London Stadium.
- October 1, 2026: Sphere performance of "The Call of Ktulu" filmed and later uploaded.
- October 31, 2026: Halloween Sphere show featuring the song's Las Vegas debut.
- January 28, 2027: Tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar begins.
- June 19, 2027: Tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar ends.
Industry Dynamics
Metallica's residency at the Las Vegas Sphere follows a model in which major rock acts use large-format venues to stage visually elaborate shows. The 2027 tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar, running January 28 to June 19, continues the band's pattern of pairing arena dates with multi-act bills.
Fans in Las Vegas can attend Sphere performances, but the extraction does not specify ticket availability or pricing for future shows. Tour dates for 2027 are set from January 28 to June 19 across the U.S. and Canada.
The takeaway
Live setlist debuts at large-format venues give fans a reason to attend residencies in person. Those planning to see the band should watch for announcements about future Sphere dates.
What happens next
Metallica's tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar begins January 28, 2027 and runs through June 19, 2027.
Further reading
For more on live entertainment in the city, see Magic coverage.
