The Dome at the Edge of the World
On December 8, 2013, Metallica played a concert unlike any other. Inside a transparent dome near the heliport of Carlini Base in Argentine Antarctica, the American heavy metal band performed for 120 people—making them the first group to play on all seven continents.
The hour-long show, known as Freeze ’Em All, wasn’t just rare because of the setting. It also had no traditional amplification. Instead, sound was transmitted through headphones, ensuring compliance with the strict environmental regulations of the Antarctic Treaty.
From Tease to Ice
Hints of the event surfaced in September 2013 when drummer Lars Ulrich alluded to “another frontier.” The show was officially announced on October 25 through a collaboration with the Coca-Cola Company.
Winners from sweepstakes held in five Latin American countries—Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico—were awarded an eight-day cruise from Tierra del Fuego to the icy continent to attend the event. The performance took place inside a dome built near the Carlini Base’s heliport, with Metallica performing a ten-song set including “Enter Sandman” and “Master of Puppets.”
Sound Without a Sound System
In accordance with the Madrid Protocol, which restricts environmental disturbances in Antarctica, the concert could not use traditional speakers. It was transmitted via headphones to avoid noise pollution that could cause ice shifts. Metallica adapted accordingly.
The show was attended only by research station staff and sweepstakes winners. Plans to play “Trapped Under Ice” were forgotten in the excitement, according to Ulrich in a 2014 AMA. Despite that, the event was carried out successfully under conditions few bands have ever faced.
Release and Recognition
The performance was released on Metallica’s website on December 20, 2013, as a live album. Two additional tracks—“Bass Solo” and “Kirk Solo”—were included. Video footage was later uploaded to the band’s YouTube channel, and a documentary was released in 2015, initially made available to the official fan club.
The Guinness Book of World Records recognized the band as the first to play on all seven continents, and the first to do so within one year. Freeze ’Em All became one of Metallica’s most talked-about shows—not for its scale, but for where it happened.
On December 8, 2013, Metallica played a concert in Antarctica, becoming the first band to perform on all seven continents.
The hour-long show took place inside a dome at Carlini Base and used headphones instead of speakers to avoid disturbing the environment…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/MQmfFdOngK
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) June 4, 2025