When the Virginia Tech Hokies energize the atmosphere at Lane Stadium with Metallica’s iconic “Enter Sandman” as their game-day hype anthem, it resonates deeply with fans. However, experiencing the legendary band perform this electrifying track live on the Hokies’ home turf in front of an enthusiastic, sold-out audience takes the excitement to an entirely new level, creating a memorable event that no one will forget.
On the night of May 7, during Metallica’s inaugural performance at Lane Stadium as part of their M72 world tour, the atmosphere reached new heights. The excitement was so intense that the Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory reported vibrations that registered on the Richter scale due to passionate fans jumping in unison. For over 25 years, the Hokies’ entrance music has established itself as a cherished tradition in college sports, creating a vibrant spectacle as 60,000 fans unite in joy, bouncing to the heavy metal anthem while they welcome their team to the field.
Interestingly, as reported by Hokie Sports, this event was not the first time a seismograph picked up vibrations due to fan enthusiasm in response to Metallica’s legendary single. The band’s track from their self-titled fifth album, which reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, has previously caused seismic activity during memorable games: in 2011 against Miami (FL), again in 2015 during a thrilling matchup against Ohio State, and once more in 2021 during the exhilarating home opener against North Carolina.
While the tradition of playing “Enter Sandman” during games is well-established, witnessing the band kick off the show with a snippet of the instrumental intro, accompanied by the Hokies’ logo lighting up the big screen, was an unforgettable experience for fans. VT junior Wesley Metcalf expressed his excitement to ABC 13 News, stating, “The fact that we’re here, Metallica is playing ‘Enter Sandman’ – they started with it; this stadium’s been asking for it, we all need it. We’re getting it; it’s a great night tonight, and I can’t believe it’s happening.” Another student, Luke Dalton, added, “Experiencing that live; the actual band playing it rather than just the games, because we already get hyped from the games themselves, but hearing Metallica live in the stadium, it’s awesome, man.”
The band also embraced the Hokie spirit, meeting with VT football coach Brent Pry prior to the concert. During this memorable meeting, they were honored with personalized No. 25 Hokies jerseys, as well as a special No. 72 jersey to celebrate their ongoing M72 world tour. Metallica continues their journey as they prepare for two electrifying events at the Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus, OH, scheduled for May 9.
To witness the excitement and fan reaction during the performance, check out the images showcasing the Richter Scale measurement during the song below.
