10 Rock Anthems That Hit the Stage Once and Never Again

From Metallica to Nirvana, these legendary tracks were played live only once and never again

1. Metallica – "To Live Is to Die"

   Album: …And Justice for All (1988)

   Performed only once during Metallica’s 30th-anniversary shows in December 2011, this instrumental tribute to late bassist Cliff Burton remains a poignant rarity in their live catalog.

   
   

2. Slipknot – "All Hope Is Gone"

   Album: All Hope Is Gone (2008)

   Despite being the title track, it was performed just once at the 2008 Mayhem Festival. Band members have expressed mixed feelings about the album, which may explain its absence from setlists.

   
   

3. Iron Maiden – "The Ides of March"

   Album: Killers (1981)

   This instrumental opener was performed live only once in 1979, two years before its official release, and has since been used solely as a taped intro during concerts.

   
   

4. Ozzy Osbourne – "Hellraiser"

   Album: No More Tears (1991)

   Co-written with Lemmy Kilmister, Ozzy's version was performed live just once in 1992, despite its popularity and Motörhead's own rendition becoming a fan favorite.

   
   

5. System of a Down – "Boom!"

   Album: Steal This Album! (2002)

   This politically charged track was performed live only once in 2003. Its spoken-word verses were considered less impactful in a live setting, leading to its exclusion from future performances.

   
   

6. Rage Against the Machine – "Voice of the Voiceless"

   Album: The Battle of Los Angeles (1999)

   Performed only once in Osaka, Japan, in 2000, this song's controversial subject matter may have contributed to its limited live presence.

   
   

7. Foo Fighters – "Come Back"

   Album: One by One (2002)

   Despite closing the album, it was performed live only once in 2002. Dave Grohl later expressed dissatisfaction with the album, which might explain the song's absence from live shows.

   
   

8. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "One Hot Minute"

   Album: One Hot Minute (1995)

   This title track was performed live only once in 1996. The album's mixed reception and the band's transitional phase during that period likely influenced its limited live history.

   
   

9. Nirvana – "You Know You’re Right"

   Album: Nirvana (2002, posthumous release)

   Performed live only once in 1993, months before Kurt Cobain's death. The song remained unreleased until 2002, making its live performance a rare glimpse into the band's final days.

   
   

10. Faith No More – "Star A.D."

    Album: King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime (1995)

    This genre-blending track was performed live only once in 2011, despite its unique style and the band's penchant for eclectic performances.