Watch: Metallica Pays Tribute to Megaforce Founders with Old-School Set

Metallica recently gave fans a nostalgic kick in the gut with a special throwback show that would make any old-school fan tear up—if they’re still capable of crying, that is. The band put together a setlist straight out of their early days, paying tribute to their original label boss, Jon Zazula, and his wife, Marsha, who both passed away in recent years. The gig, held at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, was a salute to the two people who helped kickstart their career. And of course, it had to be packed with songs from their first two albums, because why wouldn’t it be?

The 16-song set was like a time capsule from 1983 and 1984, with classics pulled straight from Kill ’Em All and Ride The Lightning, two albums that, at the time, only the truest of metalheads cared about. Creeping Death, Ride The Lightning, No Remorse, Phantom Lord, Motorbreath, and a whole lot of other gems hit the crowd hard, proving that Metallica still knows how to bring the fire. Even the covers—Diamond Head’s Am I Evil? and Blitzkrieg’s Blitzkrieg—made an appearance, because why not throw in more reminders of the days when metal was raw and full of rough edges?

The band, always good at laying on the sentiment when needed, spoke about their relationship with the Zazulas. According to the band, Jonny Z gave them their first shot when they were just a bunch of scrappy kids with loud guitars and nowhere to go. “He was our mentor, manager, and father figure,” the band said in a statement that might as well have been a script for a rock-and-roll soap opera. The Zazula family responded, humbly thanking the band for the tribute, saying their parents felt insurmountable pride for every member of the Metallica community. (Insurmountable pride—now there’s a phrase to unpack over a beer.)

Jon Zazula, for anyone who hasn’t memorized the lore, started Megaforce Records back in 1982 just to release Kill ’Em All, a decision that likely felt like financial suicide at the time. The Zazulas ran a record store at a flea market in New Jersey, where Metallica’s No Life ’Til Leather demo tape became their top-seller. And just like that, Jon Z was hooked, not just on the band, but on metal as a movement. He wasn’t just a manager—he was their first real manager, and Megaforce wasn’t just a label; it was the label for a slew of metal acts like Anthrax, Testament, and Overkill. Basically, Jonny Z was the guy who threw gasoline on the flame of thrash metal.

A recording of the show is already available for pre-order on Metallica’s website, for anyone who wants to relive those glory days through modern tech. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just someone who appreciates a good blast from the past, this concert is the perfect excuse to dust off the old denim vest and throw up those horns one more time.

Here’s the full setlist for those keeping score:

• Creeping Death
• Ride The Lightning
• Motorbreath
• No Remorse
• Trapped Under Ice
• The Call Of Ktulu
• Phantom Lord
• Am I Evil? (Diamond Head cover)
• Metal Militia
• For Whom The Bell Tolls
• Whiplash
• Fade To Black
• Seek & Destroy

Encore:

• Fight Fire With Fire
• Blitzkrieg (Blitzkrieg cover)
• Hit The Lights

For a show built around two monolithic albums, they sure didn’t hold back. Metallica proved, once again, that they still know how to honor their roots, while also cashing in on the never-ending nostalgia train.