Around half a dozen new tracks were aired but the foursome are canny enough to know what the fans want.

‘‘We’ve discovered that what goes well with the new stuff is the old stuff,’’ announced frontman James Hetfield before launching into 1984 single Creeping Death. Other highlights were set closers Nothing Else Matters and Enter Sandman.

Pyrotechnics are also a must these days and Metallica had more columns of flame and fireballs than anyone else.

Despite the stage dimensions Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo covered every inch, using the eight microphones positioned around the edges.

Drummer Lars Ulrich found himself centrestage, with his drum platform revolving every few songs so he faced a different section of the crowd.

During the final song, Seek And Destroy, black beachballs emblazoned with the Metallica logo, rained down on the crowd.

Simply the best? Metallica have raised the bar again.

Rating: ****