Metallica books double date with Edmonton on latest world tour

Edmonton has been named one of only two Canadian cities on Metallica's massive M72 world tour announced Monday. The metal legends play Commonwealth Stadium Aug. 23 and 25, 2024.

The band also announced the release of its 12th studio album, 72 Seasons, coming April 14 via its own label, Blackened Recordings.

The title refers to the first 18 years of life and the 12 tracks, running 77 minutes, dig into the constructs imposed during childhood.

“The concept that we were told `who we are' by our parents,” explains Metallica vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield in his album announcement.

“A possible pigeonholing around what kind of personality we are. I think the most interesting part of this is the continued study of those core beliefs and how it affects our perception of the world today. Much of our adult experience is re-enactment or reaction to these childhood experiences. Prisoners of childhood or breaking free of those bondages we carry.”

The band has already released 72 Seasons' lead single, Lux Aeterna, which sees them in top form.

This is Metallica's latest release since 2016's Hardwired ... To Self-destruct.

The M72 tour supporting this latest release will hit 22 cities around the world and stop in each for Friday and Sunday shows.

Being deemed No Repeat Weekends, the two dates in each city will include different set lists and supporting bands.

Pantera and Mammoth WVH will open the Edmonton shows, which will also boast a new stage design with the stage in middle field and Metallica's famous Snake Pit in the centre of the stage hosting 800-1,000 fans.

M72 tickets will be discounted for fans 16 and younger, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the band's All Within My Hands foundation, which provides education grants, combats food insecurity and offers disaster relief.

Presented by Live Nation, twoday tickets are $99 and go on sale Dec. 2, with presales starting Nov. 30 at 9 a.m. local time using a presale code fans can get from Metallica.com, along with more details about the album and tour. Single-day tickets go on sale Jan. 20.