METALLICA Looking Forward To Playing Its First OZZFEST

The Pulse of Radio reports: METALLICA will appear at the long-running Ozzfest for the first time in the event's history on Saturday (August 9),when the group co-headlines the show with OZZY OSBOURNE at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas. Although this is the only Ozzfest date scheduled for this year, METALLICA's name has come up a lot in recent years as a possible headliner or co-headliner. Drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse of Radio he's happy that METALLICA is finally doing it. "I don't think we've ever been invited before," he said. "You know, I've gone to a couple of Ozzfests. I think it's been awesome. I mean, it's such a great institution and it's done so much for metal in America. Ozzy and Sharon gave us our first big break in America in 1986. I will always respect that. They've been great to us. So it's cool. I'm psyched. Should be good fun."

METALLICA toured as an opening act for Ozzy in 1986 while supporting its breakthrough album, "Master of Puppets".

Ozzfest began in 1996 as a single show held in Los Angeles, but expanded to a full summer tour for the past 11 years, including last year's "free" event. Both Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have indicated that it will be a full-blown tour again next year.

Saturday's show will also include performances from SERJ TANKIAN, KORN singer Jonathan Davis, APOCALYPTICA, SEVENDUST, IN THIS MOMENT and more, as well as an all-star tribute to late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott that will feature members of ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SLAYER, MUDVAYNE, HELLYEAH, ANTHRAX and others.

Ozzfest will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a battle of local bands, with second stage acts starting at 11:30 a.m. and main stage performances beginning at 1:30 p.m. Ozzy will play from 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., while METALLICA will close the show from 9:45 to 11:15.