Metallica causes massive seismograph spike during Virginia Tech concert

Seismographs were designed to measure earthquakes. Tectonic plates crashing against one another. That, and when Metallica takes the stage at Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech and Metallica have long since been tied together thanks to the song ‘Enter Sandman.’ As the Hokies take the field at Lane Stadium, fans jump up and down and sing along in what has become one of the best traditions in all of college football. So, it was only natural that Metallica would take the stage there in the offseason.

Fans clearly were anticipating the concert. As Metallica took the stage, there was a massive seismograph spike from fans jumping up and down enough to shake the earth underneath them. That spike can be seen below.

The seismograph at Virginia Tech as Metallica took the stage. 🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/kOEcCgrYJE

— Chris Michaels (@WRAL_Michaels) May 8, 2025

Metallica didn’t enter with ‘Enter Sandman,’ though. The band actually came out and opened their set with ‘Creeping Death.’ Instead, they held on to their iconic entrance song until the final song of the set. That’s when the audience truly went wild. Again, fans began jumping up and down as if the Hokies were set to take the field with them all at Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech began coming out to Metallica on Aug. 27, 2000, when Virginia Tech installed the first video board inside Lane Stadium. That’s when the powers that be decided to use ‘Enter Sandman’ as their entrance, and the rest is history. It’s become a key part of Saturdays in Blacksburg.

“It all starts with ‘Enter Sandman’,” head coach Brent Pry said in 2024. “There’s no better entrance in college football.” 

Metallica and Virginia Tech initially announced the tour stop at Lane Stadium back in September of 2024. At the time, the release stated, “Get ready for an unforgettable night in Blacksburg! We’re thrilled to announce that the legendary band, Metallica, will be performing at Lane Stadium.”

Oddly enough, this isn’t the only time a stadium has managed to get picked up by a seismograph. LSU’s Tiger Stadium has been known to shake the earth. Seattle Seahawks fans were similarly able to register on a seismograph reacting to a Marshawn Lynch touchdown run.

Oddly enough, the activity caused by the concert wasn’t the only recent seismic event in Virginia. A 3.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Dillwyn on Tuesday as well. That one could be felt for about 30 miles around. Reportedly, the Metallica-induced earthquake at Lane Stadium was closer to a 1.5 magnitude earthquake. The two seismic events occurred roughly 100 miles apart.