This blistering performance from August 3, 2000, captures Metallica making it up to their Dallas fans in a big way. The show was the second of two free makeup concerts at the Starplex Amphitheater, offered after frontman James Hetfield had to miss a previously scheduled Texas Stadium date on the Summer Sanitarium tour due to a back injury. Fully recovered and celebrating his 37th birthday on the night of this show, Hetfield leads the band through a powerful, no-frills set that served as a potent reminder of their live dominance.
The concert took place during a unique period for Metallica, not long before the departure of bassist Jason Newsted, whose energetic stage presence is a vital part of the performance. The setlist is a strong mix of their iconic 80s thrash anthems like "Creeping Death" and "Battery," massive 90s hits including "Enter Sandman" and "Sad But True," and newer tracks at the time such as "No Leaf Clover" and "I Disappear." Stripped of the massive stadium production of the main tour, this amphitheater show offers a more direct and raw Metallica experience, showcasing the pure musical force of the four members on stage.