TAMPA – Enter Metallica.

The reigning kings of thrash made their long-awaited return Friday, delivering a relentless sonic boom to a jam-packed Raymond James Stadium. The band, which had bypassed Tampa Bay during its last two Florida tours, treated about 70,000 acolytes to a blistering 2-hour and 5-minute, 16-song set.

You could have birthed a child now old enough to drive between the time that the band had last appeared here — 5,725 days ago. (But who’s counting?)

The group is playing a two-show, “no repeat weekend” with different sets and opening acts — unapologetically designed to lure hardcore followers to both nights. Friday’s other performers were Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills. Sunday’s bill includes Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies.

Metallica has achieved enormous worldwide

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