Metallica to play Download?

xfm are reporting that Metallica are playing at Download Festival on Sunday - and from a quick email exchange with them they certainly believe it to be true.

When we just contacted the Download press office to ask them directly, they told us "no comment" - which we understood to imply that it was true.

Now, you'd think that if they were playing, they'd be the replacements for Limp Bizkit as headliners on the main stage. But no, the xfm report says they're to play the Scuzz Stage (the second stage) "late afternoon".

A quick re-visit to the Download website says that Apocalyptica are playing on that stage at sometime in the afternoon, and, for those that don't know, they're a Metallica cover band from Norway, who cover Metallica songs on cello's. An original idea - but not Metallica.

Checking Metallica's tour dates tells us little - they have no show booked for that day, and their next show is in Germany on 6th June.

As the event has Radio 1 involvement with the main stage actually called the "Radio 1/ Kerrang Stage", we think they would have the news on their website too. Perhaps they declined to get involved in a stunt?

Kerrangcom did have a story (now withdrawn ... wonder why?) which simply said "Rumours circulating the internet suggest that Metallica will make a surprise appearance this Sunday at the Download Festival." ... and then a link to buy tickets. Could the two things be related by any chance?

nme.com are reporting that "METALLICA have ended weeks of speculation by announcing that they will play at the DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL".

So what do we think? Well, if you buy tickets in the hope they're playing, we think it's quite possible you'll be disappointed. But, as we're known for our cynicism of an often less than truthful music industry, we could be wrong ...

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