Metallica announce week-long 30th anniversary shows

Metallica have announced plans to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

The heavy metal band will play a handful of shows in San Francisco to mark the career milestone this December.

Making the announcement via their official website, the band stated: "Thirty years of Metallica... can you believe it? We think it's cause for a major celebration!"

The 'Enter Sandman' stars outlined a series of exclusive gigs for their fan club members in the Bay Area. They will play San Francisco's historic Fillmore venue on December 5, 7, 9 and 10.

"These unique shows will include special guests and events, rare songs, varied set lists, odds and ends, and all the nutty stuff you expect from Metallica... fun for the entire family!" they added.

"Come to the Bay Area and spend the week with us to not only close out 2011 with a bang, but to celebrate over three decades' worth of craziness."

The band revealed that a week-long ticket for all four of the gigs will be priced at $19.81 (£12.12), marking the year date of their inception.

Individual show tickets will also be available for $6 (£3.67), with fan club members able to make ticket reservations up until August 8.

Metallica recently announced that they have recorded a full album with Lou Reed.

Drummer Lars Ulrich has claimed that the band already have more than 700 guitar riffs recorded for their new album.

Watch Metallica perform their 1991 hit 'Enter Sandman' live below: