Metallica Announce First Gig Of 2020 – To Be Shown At Drive-In Theatres

After rehearsing at their HQ last week and leading fans to wonder what they were planning, Metallica have announced that they'll be featured in the Encore Drive-In Nights series.

The metal titans will be performing – and recording – their first live gig of 2020 near their California headquarters in the coming days, with the all-new set being shown for one night only at drive-in theatres across America and Canada later this month.

As well being able to enjoy a career-spanning setlist from the band plus a special guest performance by Three Days Grace, those who buy tickets for the show will receive four digital downloads of Metallica's upcoming S&M2 album, which is due out on August 28 via Blackened Recordings. Ace.

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In a joint statement, Metallica write: "It’s been a crazy, hectic, thrilling and exciting time at Metallica HQ as the four of us have all been in the same room making music for the first time in almost a year! 'What’s going on?' you ask? We’re recording a concert to appear at your local drive-in theater… that’s what!

"We’ll be the first rock band to be featured in the Encore Drive-In Nights series, with a full set screening August 29 at hundreds of drive-in and outdoor theaters across the United States and Canada. We’ve been rehearsing at HQ for a show that will be shot specially for the drive-ins at a location nearby later this week and then we’ll pass it off to our award winning production team to then be edited and mixed at the highest standards possible to be beamed into your cars from the big screen."

Pre-sale begins via Metallica's Fifth Member fan club on August 12, while general sale kicks off on August 14. More info on Encore Drive-In Nights can be found at ticketmaster.com/encoredriveinnights.

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