The Struggle: James Hetfield Shares Hope With ‘Fade to Black’ at Boston Calling

"Hey Boston, do you feel the struggle?"

Halfway through Metallica's performance of "Fade to Black" at Boston Calling on Sunday, May 29, James Hetfield paused before ripping into the bridge to address the festival audience.

"I feel the struggle every day," he told the thousands of fans who had waited all weekend to see 'Tallica. "If you identify with that, you're not alone. Talk to your friends, alright? Really. Talk to your friends, your family, whoever. Talk to me, right now."

With that, "Fade to Black" continued, leading to Hetfield's unforgettable lyrics, "No one but me can save myself, but it's too late."

Check out our fan-shot footage of the powerful moment in the Instagram video below.

Watch James Hetfield Share Some Hope With Boston Calling Audience

This wasn't the only moment of vulnerability at the show. During the encore performance of "Nothing Else Matters," The Ripper himself, Kirk Hammett, messed up the iconic intro of the song, leading to massive support not just from his bandmates but from the crowd, too. You can read more about the story—and watch the video—here.

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Metallica's set at Boston Calling marked their first show in Boston in five years; the energy at the Harvard Athletic Complex Sunday night was intense as the band played their 16-song set, which included some expected tracks like "Ride the Lightning" and "Creeping Death," and some nice surprises like "Holier Than Thou" and "Battery."

Metallica Setlist — May 29, 2022 at Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts

1. "Whiplash"
2. "Ride the Lightning"
3. "The Memory Remains"
4. "Seek & Destroy"
5. "Holier Than Thou"
6. "One"
7. "Sad But True"
8. "Whiskey in the Jar"
9. "Wherever I May Roam"
10. "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
11. "Creeping Death"
12. "Fade to Black"
13. "Master of Puppets"
Encore
14. "Battery"
15. "Nothing Else Matters"
16. "Enter Sandman"

Check Out Photos From Metallica's Boston Calling Set