Metallica Debuts "Of Wolf and Man" at Sphere
The Halloween show marks the song's first Las Vegas performance, with the band's 2027 tour starting January 28.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Magic
Las Vegas music fans at the Sphere got a first live look at Metallica's "Of Wolf and Man" during the band's Halloween show. The performance was staged to mark the holiday, and the band's 2027 tour dates were also announced.
Why it matters
The Sphere has become a recurring stop for rock acts looking to stage visual-heavy shows, and this Halloween set adds another high-profile night to the valley's entertainment calendar. The performance also set up a North American tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar that runs from January 2027 into June.
The Halloween show ran 17 songs, and the band's previous performance of "Of Wolf and Man" was July 3 at London Stadium, making the Sphere debut its first since then. The 2027 tour runs January 28 through June 19, with the Sphere performance serving as the warm-up for the tour's visuals.
The players
Metallica
The Bay Area heavy metal band that performed the Halloween Sphere show and is touring with Limp Bizkit and Avatar in 2027.
James Hetfield
Metallica's frontman, who introduced "Of Wolf and Man" with the line "Seek the wolf in thyself" during the Sphere show.
Kirk Hammett
Metallica guitarist who performed the "Doodle" mixing "I Disappear" with the theme from The Addams Family alongside Rob Trujillo.
Rob Trujillo
Metallica bassist who joined Kirk Hammett for the "Doodle" segment and wore a bright red wig during the show.
The details
Metallica opened its Halloween Sphere show with "Blackened," "Fuel" and "Leper Messiah," then played "Of Wolf and Man" after "72 Seasons" nearly halfway through the set. James Hetfield said "Seek the wolf in thyself" before the song began, and visuals of a red sky and a giant bronze door with the heads of all four members accompanied it. Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo also performed a "Doodle" mixing "I Disappear" with the theme from The Addams Family, and Trujillo wore a bright red wig.
Timeline
July 3, 2026: Previous live performance of "Of Wolf and Man" at London Stadium.
October 31, 2026: Halloween Sphere show with the song's debut in Las Vegas.
January 28, 2027: Metallica's U.S. and Canada tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar begins.
June 19, 2027: The tour concludes.
Beyond the Strip
The Sphere performance follows the song's July London Stadium debut, moving its live run from a traditional arena setting to a venue on the Strip built around large-scale visuals. It shows how the band is pairing its catalog with the Sphere's production capabilities ahead of the 2027 tour.
If you plan to catch a Sphere show, expect the venue's visual-heavy format to shape how the band's set is staged, so check ticket timing as the 2027 tour dates approach. Fans on the Strip can also watch for the band's filmed Sphere videos, which Metallica has begun posting to its official YouTube channel.
The takeaway
The Halloween show shows how the Sphere can turn a single song debut into a full visual event, and the 2027 tour dates are the next thing to track. Watch for ticket releases and tour stops as the January 28 start approaches.
What happens next
Metallica's North American tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar begins January 28, 2027 and runs through June 19, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the city's live shows and venue calendar, browse the Magic section.
