News

After more than a decade away, Metallica have returned to Australia with their massive M72 World Tour, stopping in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. With sold-out shows and pit-filling energy the iconic metal outfit proved they haven’t lost a beat. Their classic set-list staples like “Creeping Death”, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, “Enter Sandman” and “Master of Puppets” remain magnet sinks for headbangers of all ages. 

For Australian fans, the excitement wasn’t just hearing the old favourites live again — it was the moment when Metallica turned an international stadium show into something distinctly Aussie.

The surprise that had everyone shouting “leave me alone”

At the Brisbane show in particular the band delivered a cheeky mid-set surprise. Guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo broke into a live cover of The Chats’ “Smoko”, the cult Aussie punk anthem.

The moment caused the crowd to erupt, chanting the iconic sing-along line “leave me alone.” It’s become a highlight of this Australian tour leg where Metallica slip in a special local tribute for each city. 

Why this cover means so much

The Chats are an Australian punk band born on the Sunshine Coast, known for their stripped-back punk energy, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and viral hit “Smoko”. The song itself is a fast three-minute blast about taking a break from work (“smoko” = a smoke/break in Aussie slang) but the video and the track morphed into an anthem of everyday Aussie frustration and irreverence. 

When Metallica cover it in front of 50 ,000 fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, it symbolises a coming together of global metal supremacy and local punk authenticity. It’s a statement: metal legends acknowledging the Aussie scene, and the fans loving it back.

Metallica Official Merchandise

At Official Merchandise Store we’ve got exclusive gear for die-hard Metallica fans and fans of momentous live concerts. Think limited-edition tour tees, collector posters, special vinyl packages and even collaborations that tie into the Aussie leg. With Metallica’s Aussie run in full swing, merchandise is already becoming collector’s items.

If you’re heading to the Sydney show on 15 November at Accor Stadium (tickets are sold out) Metallica you’ll want to be on the lookout early for pop-up merch stands, early-entry bundles and the kind of items that go fast. Make sure you’re signed up for store alerts and ready to click when they drop.

What this means for fans and culture

This isn’t just another stadium tour. The fact that Metallica are weaving local Aussie culture into the set adds a layer of connection seldom seen at this scale. For fans it’s a moment: global icons coming home, embracing local riff culture, and delivering something surprising.

It also underlines the relevance of great merchandise. The moment when Hammett grins through the three-chord riff of “Smoko” will become a memorable highlight for those in the crowd, and for those who bought a tee, vinyl or poster to mark that moment. That merch becomes more than a piece of fabric or vinyl. It becomes that night. That moment. That cover.

What will Metallica cover in Australia's other cities?

If you’re an Aussie rock fan,and especially if you’re into heavy metal or punk, this tour is one to mark on your history. Metallica returning, The Chats getting an unexpected nod, fans chanting at full volume, and exclusive merch being dropped: that’s the complete package. Will Metallica surprise Sydney with a Frenzal Rhomb cover? Or Melbourne with a Meanies cover? Let's hope so!