METALLICA — one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold 110 million albums worldwide and playing to millions of fans the world over — has just been confirmed as the Saturday (October 27) headliner for the 2012 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. This marks the multi-platinum act's first local performance since 2008 and their first New Orleans festival appearance.

METALLICA will fill the slot previously held by GREEN DAY. The band joins a lineup that includes previously announced headliners NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE and Jack White, along with JUSTICE, Skrillex, AWOLNATION, Nas, KASKADE, THE AVETT BROTHERS, DIE ANTWOORD, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, Gary Clark Jr. and many more.

"We are excited to be part of our first ever Voodoo Music + Arts Experience," said METALLICA's Lars Ulrich. "Our good friends and fellow Bay Area residents GREEN DAY had to unfortunately cancel their plans to be there, so we are more than happy to fill in for them in our own unique way. We're hoping we can fill those very large shoes and do them proud."

Celebrated as the final musical event of the U.S. music festival season, this year's Voodoo — Friday, October 26, Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 — will mark its 14th consecutive year. The Voodoo lineup annually features a variety of musical genres, which also reflects the cultural gumbo that defines this historic and beloved American city.

"After a hectic few days — and sleepless nights — having METALLICA, one of the world's greatest bands agree to perform at Voodoo in the place of GREEN DAY, only two weeks before the festival, feels pretty surreal at the moment — like being part of rock and roll history in the making… something you will tell your grandkids about years from now," says Stephen Rehage, the founder/producer of Voodoo. "We are incredibly grateful to METALLICA and their management team for supporting us in this unprecedented manner. I am sure METALLICA's performance at Voodoo will be remembered for many years to come."

Tickets, camping passes, and more information on the 2012 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is available at this location.