METALLICA performed in the Arab world on October 25th for the very first time at Yas Arena in Abu Dhabi. They have updated their official Facebook page with a photo gallery here. Additional shots ar available on Metallica.com.

According to The National, the UAE's metal community were out in full force last night and judging by the huge roar greeting the band when they stepped on stage, the long wait has been worth it and they did not disappoint.

Beginning with the opening salvo of 'Creeping Death' and 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', Metallica ripped through a blistering greatest hits set touching on all aspects of Metallica's three-decade career, from its thrash metal beginnings to the increasingly polished - yet equally powerful - sounds of later years.

Fans competed with each other with their metal apparel by donning vintage shirts, studs, black lipstick and in some cases a few dog collars.

The long dark metal procession certainly made an impression on traffic policeman Saleh Darwish who stood monitoring the intersection near the VIP Gates.

"To be honest it is one of the most strangest things I have ever seen," he exclaimed.

"The people here are in all shapes and sizes. The thing is they are very friendly but the music itself ... well, it sounds like an epic wrestling match."

They used pyrotechnics to light up the stage, with flames shooting during Kirk Hammett's guitar solo in 'Fuel'.

Unbeknown to the fans converging on the fan pit, the headlining act had only just arrived in the country.

In a quiet room backstage, with a pot of coffee percolating in the background, Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo said while the band were jet lagged, they were already impressed by what they had seen of Abu Dhabi.

Read the entire review here.

According to Setlist.fm, Metallica's setlist featured:

'Creeping Death'

'For Whom the Bell Tolls'

'Fuel'

'Ride the Lightning'

'Fade to Black'

'Cyanide'

'The Memory Remains'

'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'

'Sad But True'

'All Nightmare Long'

'One'

'Master of Puppets'

'Blackened'

'Nothing Else Matters'

'Enter Sandman'

Encore:

'Am I Evil?' (DIAMOND HEAD cover)

'Motorbreath'

'Seek & Destroy'

Check out fan-filmed footage below: