System of a Down electrified MetLife Stadium on August 27 and 28, 2025, delivering a powerful opening to their limited North American stadium tour. The veteran metal band, joined by co-headliners Korn and special guests Polyphia and Wisp, transformed the New Jersey venue into a thunderous celebration of heavy music that began at 5:30 PM local time each evening.
The August 27 performance featured a robust 26-song setlist that balanced fan favorites with deeper cuts from their catalog. A highlight of the evening was the band’s unexpected but moving tribute to metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, which resonated deeply with the packed stadium. Fans responded with overwhelming enthusiasm throughout the night, creating an electrifying atmosphere that matched the band’s intense musical delivery. Fans can find complete concert schedules for the remainder of the tour on the band’s official website.
Korn’s co-headlining performance proved equally commanding, particularly during the second night on August 28. The pairing of these two influential bands created a formidable experience for attendees, with both acts demonstrating their mastery of stadium-sized performances. Supporting acts Polyphia and Wisp provided musical diversity to the evening, warming up the increasingly vocal crowd before the headliners took the stage.
The production spared no expense, utilizing extensive lighting arrays and massive video screens that enhanced the visual experience while maintaining focus on the live performances. Sound engineers successfully captured the complexity of System of a Down‘s distinctive musical style within the challenging acoustics of the large outdoor venue. The band’s meticulous pre-show soundcheck ensured optimal audio quality throughout the performance despite the stadium’s size. The band’s vocalists benefited from proper microphone placement techniques that highlighted the nuanced dynamics of their performance while minimizing feedback in the stadium environment. The next major event at the stadium will be the Jets vs. Bills football game on September 21, 2025.
Critics praised the band’s ability to maintain energy and technical precision throughout their lengthy set, with particular attention given to the emotional impact of the Ozzy tribute segment. Photography and video documentation from the shows captured both the monumental scale of the production and the intimate connection between performers and audience.
Following their triumphant MetLife debut, System of a Down continued their limited stadium tour with performances scheduled at Chicago’s Soldier Field beginning August 31, carrying forward the momentum established during these powerful New Jersey shows.
