ST. LOUIS – Metallica brought plenty of firepower to Busch Stadium Sunday for the Hardwired to Self-Destruct Tour.

There was pyro. There was new material. There was vintage Metallica. There was rain. The veteran rockers played to some 39,000 fans, soaking wet fans. Rain poured during most of the show – Local H and Volbeat opening the night – and steady for a couple of hours before the show.

“Whatever, it’s just water,” lead singer James Hetfield said.

Metallica’s set was delayed as crew built a shield over Lars Ulrich’s drums. But once the band began with “Hardwired to Self-Destruct,” the full house sang along, often roaring through downtown St. Louis like one big happy metal family.

The bands played for more than two hours, including solos from guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo and an encore that ended with “Enter Sandman,” more pyro and fireworks.

It was an impressive production, but nothing able to overshadow the seemingly timeless band.