Metallica - Metal Up Your Ass! - News, Videos and Updates

[NWOWolfpack]

Tour Updates – Lisbon, Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn plus one addition to the South American Schedule

Lisbon, Portugal:
A big thanks to all who helped make our first ever indoor show in Lisbon, Portugal on May 18 another sell out . . .we know that we’re going to have such a great time there that a second show has been added on May 19! Tickets go on sale this Saturday, January 16, at 10 AM local time. Met Club members should check www.metclub.com for pre-sale info.

Vilnius, Lithuania:
We’re pretty darn excited to report that our first ever show in Vilnius, Lithuania is now sold out! Looking for tickets for night number two? There are still tickets available for the show on April 21 . . .

Riga, Latvia:
We are very sorry to report that there will not be a second show in Riga, Latvia as originally scheduled for April 18, 2010. Due to a recent unprecedented economic downturn in Latvia, there simply was not enough demand for tickets for two shows and we are therefore consolidating them into one. Check here for all the details on how to exchange tickets to the April 18 show for either night number one in Riga or the re-scheduled show in Tallinn on the 18th, or on how to obtain a full refund.

Tallinn, Estonia:
The night of April 18 will now see us traveling to Tallinn, Estonia to Saku Suurhall for an indoor show. Tickets for this show will go on sale January 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM local time here.

Cordoba, Argentina:
There was room for one more in the schedule, so we just couldn't resist making the last minute addition of the Orfeo Superdomo in Cordoba, Argentina on January 24, 2010. This show is now sold out.

[keithlewis]

Enter To Win Vinyl Test Pressings AND Check Out Limited Edition White Vinyl

Our friends at Warner Bros. Records have put together a cool contest where you can win test pressings of nine Metallica studio albums on vinyl during their Metal March promotion. It's simple . . . go to becausesoundmatters.com between now and March 31, 2010 and look for the special Metallica promotion on the front page . . .you'll have to create an account or log in to enter.

Two Grand-Prize winners will receive extremely rare, never offered to retail, vinyl test pressings of Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, ...And Justice for All, Metallica, Load, Re-Load, St. Anger, and Death Magnetic. Three first-prize winners will receive a four disc 45 rpm limited edition of Metallica, a four disc 45 rpm limited edition of ...And Justice For All, and a five disc 45 rpm limited edition of Death Magnetic. Five second-prize winners will receive a two disc version of Death Magnetic on regular weight vinyl.

***In addition to the contest, Warner Bros. Records AND metclub.com each are holding a one-time sale of 25 copies of the four-LP deluxe edition of Metallica and 25 copies of the five-LP 45 rpm deluxe edition of Death Magnetic, both on WHITE vinyl. Only 50 copies of each special set were pressed and were never released to retail. Clubbers should check metclub.com for more info on how and when to purchase the very limited white vinyl, which will be available later this week.

Live Metallica . . . All Latin American Shows Now Available For Download

The eight shows from this month's Latin American tour are all mixed and ready for you to download from www.livemetallica.com. Check out shows live from cities the band has NEVER played before including Monterrey and Guadalajara, Mexico, San Jose, Costa Rica, and Panama City, Panama as well as their first show ever from San Juan, Puerto Rico after the 1993 show was cancelled due to bad weather. Of course we wouldn't forget our friends in South America as all the shows from January along with this leg's Bogota and Caracas shows are also available.

[NWOWolfpack]

The Big Four . . . Coming To A Theatre Near You!

Can't make it to Europe this June for one of the seven Sonisphere "Big Four" shows featuring us along with Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax? No problem... we've got the next best thing through the magic of satellite technology with a special HD simulcast from Sofia, Bulgaria on June 22!

Here's how it works: The live show will be transmitted via satellite to over 450 movie theaters in the U.S. and over 350 theaters across Europe, Canada, and Latin America. Within hours of all of us walking off the stage, depending on what time zone you live in, you'll be able to rock out to each set in the cozy confines of your local movie theater that same night.

Now the nitty gritty details: Tickets for the one night only event are available at the local theater box offices and online at thebigfourlive.com where you can see a complete list of presenting theaters. They will start to go on sale Friday, May 21 in the U.S and Friday, May 28 internationally. Please note that ticket on sale times and even days will vary by theatre, so check with your friendly neighborhood participating movie theatre for exact days and times tickets will be available and keep watching thebigfourlive.com for theatre additions/changes. For our friends in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, delayed screenings will be coming your way. Again, keep watching here and thebigfourlive.com for updates.

A few more tidbits you might find helpful: Ticket prices in the U.S. will be around $20 plus whatever service charges your local theater may add. No, unfortunately each band's entire set will not be shown, but trust us, you'll see most of the action.

http://www.thebigfourlive.com/

[keithlewis]

Metallica to Headline Call of Duty(R): Black Ops Launch Event

Launch Event to Raise Funds and Awareness for The Call of Duty Endowment


SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Metallica has partnered with Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) to headline the Call of Duty(R): Black Ops launch event on November 4 at Santa Monica Airport's Hangar 8. The event will feature a performance by the GRAMMY(R)-Award winning band, honor the six branches of the Armed Forces and raise $1 million for The Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit, public benefit corporation founded by Activision Blizzard that helps soldiers with the transition to civilian life and help them establish jobs and careers. Call of Duty(R): Black Ops will release worldwide on November 9.

"We are honored to have Metallica partner with us to pay tribute to the brave servicemen and women who have risked their lives at war only to return home to find their biggest challenge is searching for a job," stated Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. "Today, the unemployment rate for veterans is 21% higher than the rate for all Americans, with veterans' unemployment topping 500,000. We believe that the business community can and should do more. Through The Call of Duty Endowment, we are committed to raising millions of dollars for job assistance and training programs for veterans and raising public awareness for this serious issue."

Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica have become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and playing to tens of millions of fans the world over. They have scored several multi-platinum albums, including 1983's Kill 'Em All (3x), 1984's Ride the Lightning (5x), 1986's Master of Puppets (6x), 1988's ...And Justice For All (8x), 1991's Metallica (also known as "The Black Album" - 15x), 1996's Load (5x), 1997's ReLoad (3x), and 2003's St. Anger (2x). Their latest album, Death Magnetic, was certified platinum just six weeks after it debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 Album chart in October 2008. The band released a groundbreaking Guitar Hero(R) edition of Death Magnetic, which was the largest selling download album on the platform at the time. They also released Guitar Hero(R): Metallica(R) in 2009 with Activision. Metallica have also garnered numerous awards and accolades, including nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum last year.

[keithlewis]

The Big Four Coming To The States!

You've probably heard us all say it . . . the vibe was just so incredible at last year's Big 4 shows that we can't stop now!! So we're finally bringing the love to our home turf on April 23, 2011 with 'Tallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax in Indio, CA at the Empire Polo Club (yes, the more observant of you will note that this is the same spot where the Coachella Festival takes place the weekend before).

It's true - this is indeed the only scheduled stop in America this go around, so we're hoping that you can head West to join us. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 28 at 10 AM PST and Fan Club members can check MetClub.com for pre-sale and VIP package info.

For more info about the show, including ticket pricing and transportation information, check out TheBig4Festival.com.

[keithlewis]

Big 4 Again!

Last week we told you there would be a few more Big 4 shows and today's installment takes us to Milan, Italy. Look for more good times with Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and yours truly at the Fiera Open Air Arena on July 6, 2011.

Tickets will be available Friday, February 25 at 9:00 AM local time at www.ticketone.it. MetClub members should check MetClub.com for more details on a special pre-sale for Clubbers only.

Vinyl Re-Issues Return

Vinyl is back as we close out the re-issue series with the final three albums all in the pipeline now. First up is "Garage Inc.," available in the Official Metallica Store this Thursday, February 24 and at your favorite record store next week on Tuesday, March 1 in North America. It hits the streets one month later on March 28 in the rest of the world, but you can pre-order it now here: Garage Inc. 3LP - Garage Inc. 6LP

Just like the previous releases, there will be two packages. Because "Garage Inc." was originally released as a double CD, the vinyl sets will include a three disc gatefold package for the 33.3 version and a box set with six discs for the 180 gram, 45 rpm deluxe edition. All the music was half speed mastered from the original analog tapes at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, CA to bring you audiophile quality.

A limited edition pressing of 100 copies of a white vinyl version of the deluxe box set will be available for MetClub.com members and on www.becausesoundmatters.com on this Thursday, February 24 at 1:00 PM PST

"S&M" is up next . . . look for that release in April.

[keithlewis]

Summer Vacation Extended

Our European vacation has been extended to include a visit to our neighbors to the north as we are honored to have been asked to play at the 44th edition of Festival d'ete de Quebec on Saturday, July 16, 2011. As part of the 11 day festival, we will be on the Bell Stage on the Plains of Abraham and we are fortunate to have our fellow Bay Area resident and long time friend Joe Satriani joining us to open the show.

Full festival VIP passes are already on sale for those of you who will be lucky enough to spend some time in Quebec City. Tickets for the July 16 show will go on sale April 30 at 9:00 AM with a pre-sale for Met Club members the day before.

For all the details about Festival d'ete de Quebec, go to www.infofestival.com. MetClub members should log in for more info about the pre-sale and VIP ticket options and as always, keep watching here as you never know when there might be more additions to the schedule . . .

Win an autographed Big 4 deluxe box set!

In celebration of the very first Big 4 show in the U.S. this weekend in Indio, CA on April 23 all live albums and DVDs are on sale. PLUS, place an order at the Metallica Store this week and you will automatically be entered to win a Big 4 deluxe DVD box set signed by all four members of the band! Clubbers will be entered to win their own version of the signed box set including all four limited edition red Big 4 picks. To be eligible, you must place your order before 12:00 am PST Thursday, April 28, 2011. While you shop enjoy the NEW Metallica Store featuring upgraded shipping options and all kinds of new merchandise! MetClub members should log in for discounted prices!

[NWOWolfpack]

Secret Recording Project? Secret no more...

A few months ago our own Kirk Hammett hinted at a new Metallica project that's "not really 100 percent a Metallica record." While Kirk may have jumped the gun a little (and has since been properly punished with a series of push-ups!), we are more than proud to announce that we have just completed recording a full length album that is a collaboration with none other than the legendary Lou Reed.

Ever since we had the pleasure of performing with Lou at the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009, we have been kicking around the idea of making a record together. Some of you astute Bay Area residents may have picked up news of recent Lou Reed sightings in the greater San Francisco area and we have indeed been working at our home studio at HQ on and off over the last few months. In what would be lightning speed for a Metallica related project, we recorded ten songs during this time and while at this moment we're not exactly sure when you'll hear it, we're beyond excited to share with you that the recording sessions wrapped up last week.

A true innovator and easily one of the most influential songwriters, musicians, and performers in rock music history, Lou's work with the Velvet Underground and as a solo artist has such an enduring quality that he has long been revered and respected by us and many of our peers. We can't wait for you to listen to the finished record, so as we like to hear ourselves say around here, keep watching this spot for updates . . . we'll be back with more details as they come together.