Metallica to Play Entire ‘Black Album’ at 2012 Download Festival

Valerie Macon, Getty Images

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the England’s Download festival, Metallica will play their mega-selling 1991 self-titled disc (aka ‘The Black Album’) in its entirety.

The band will headline the June 9 lineup and are the first group to be confirmed for the event. “Six years is way to long to be away from the hallowed grounds of Donington Park,” says drummer Lars Ulrich. “We are beyond psyched and feel privileged to come back once again to soak up the energy and vibe of the most legendary of festival sites.”

Metallica’s appearance will mark their eighth performance at the festival formerly known as Castle Donnington. “The dudes who run it asked us how we felt about playing ‘The Black Album’ in its entirety,” wrote the band on their official website. “We thought “hold on, that could be really cool since it is technically the tail-end of the 20th anniversary of the release (August ’91).”

The 2012 Download Festival runs from June 8-10 at Donnington Park. Tickets go onsale Nov. 18.