Metallica lights up Newton

“Tonight, we’re all Iowans,” said metal legend James Hetfield to tens of thousands of screaming Metallica fans at the band’s Iowa Speedway concert Friday night.

All proceeds from the massive spectacle in little Newton benefited the Native Fund, which provides assistance to Iowans in their times of need. Hetfield said the band was glad to be here to support a good cause.

Metallica didn’t delve too deep into heart-warming speeches, however. The band was in Newton to rock, and it delivered supremely.

The band ripped through a searing setlist, featuring songs off their latest album “Hardwired … to Self-Destruct” and many older fan favorites.

The instrumentals were precise. Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett’s fingers moved like lightning across the fretboard. Bassist Robert Trujillo delivered the low end with attitude and enthusiasm. Drummer Lars Ulrich’s no-nonsense drumming style kept up through the more than two-hour set.

Hetfield’s vocals were undeniable. In his world-famous growl, he gave shout-outs to Newton mid-song on multiple occasions. One might think age would take its toll on a band that formed in 1981, but Metallica still sounds larger than life in 2017.

The second half of the set featured hit after hard-rocking hit. “Sad but True,” “One,” “Master of Puppets,” “Fade to Black” and “Seek & Destroy” played in succession.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the band was loud. Really loud. Most folks on the lawn in general admission probably left with their ears ringing.

Band members bounced around from microphone to microphone to give attendees on all sides of the stage a good view. This was not a band phoning it in. The members were full of energy from start to finish.

And what a finish it was.

The encore featured “Blackened,” “Nothing Else Matters” and anthem “Enter Sandman.” Fireworks were shot into the sky during the final song, and most concert-goers went home satisfied, no doubt.

Iowa natives Ashton Kutcher and Dallas Clark, who started the Native Fund in 2008 after a Cedar Rapids flood, took the stage for a few minutes before Metallica. The pair of high-profile Iowans thanked the crowd for supporting the Native Fund.

“Iowa made me who I am,” Kutcher said. “Iowa gave me the opportunity to do everything else I get to do in the world. And I just wouldn’t be an Iowan if I didn’t figure out a way to give back.”

Mix Master Mike started things off when the sun was still high in the sky at Iowa Speedway. The DJ played mash-ups of the Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, AC/DC, Dio, System of a Down and more.

Hard rockers from Denmark, Volbeat, were the first band to take the stage. The crowd started to get bigger as the band delivered a solid performance. Avenged Sevenfold followed with more heavy sounds and plenty of pyrotechnics.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com