MetalHammer.co.uk are reporting in their new issue that METALLICA are to be involved in the upcoming RONNIE JAMES DIO tribute – also featuring ANTHRAX, ROB HALFORD, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy and more.

“We reached out to Wendy Dio about wanting to be a part of the Dio tribute that’s getting put together,” says singer James Hetfield. “We’re very honoured to be a part of that, and to be a part of a celebration of Ronnie’s life and his great contribution, man.”
“We’re definitely looking to do the record Wendy’s putting together for Ronnie,” adds Lars. “We were asked if we’d contribute to the anniversary of (classic DEEP PURPLE album) Machine Head, too – we can’t turn that down. We’re circling the Dio and Purple catalogues and hopefully we’ll come up with something that is worthy of these wonderful men.”

Updates to follow.

In the footage below, Metallica's Kirk Hammett talks about Kirk's Crypt, a glimpse of Kirk's renowned personal collection of rare horror movie memorabilia, classic comics, monster toys, posters and props, and much more:

The full schedule for Orion Music + More, the new annual music and lifestyle festival created by Metallica and their friends at C3 Presents, was announced today at Orionmusicandmore.com. For those fans that aren't able to spend the entire weekend, Orion Music + More has just announced that there are single day tickets available at here beginning today.

Orion Music + More will feature multiple live music stages plus a lifestyle element that reflects each of Metallica's band members many personal interests. Metallica will headline both nights of Orion Music + More and today announced they would play Ride The Lightning on Saturday, June 23rd and The Black Album on Sunday, June 24th. This will be the only time the band will perform these albums in North America in 2012.

GHOST, LETLIVE, JIM FLORENTINE, DON JAMIESON, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, and SHULI EGAR join the previously announced line up of Metallica, ARCTIC MONKEYS, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ERIC CHURCH, MODEST MOUSE, THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM, CAGE THE ELEPHANT, FUCKED UP, BEST COAST, HOT SNAKES, TITUS ANDRONICUS, GARY CLARK JR., LUCERO, ROKY ERICKSON, THE BLACK ANGELS, THE SWORD, A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, LITURGY, THE JIM BREUER HEAVY METAL COMEDY TOUR, SOUL REBELS, WOODEN SHJIPS, and an entire stage devoted to punk and thrash music - Damage Inc. Stage - headlined by SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and SEPULTURA, and featuring up-and-comers TORCHE, RED FANG, KYNG, LANDMINE MARATHON, BLACK TUSK, THY WILL BE DONE, and more.

Additional events taking place over the weekend that fans will not want to miss include the just added "Kirk's Crypt," a showcase of guitarist Kirk Hammett's passion for all things horror - vintage film posters, movie props, collectables and more, all hosted by The Ripper himself; the custom car and motorcycle show hosted by James Hetfield; the Billabong "All Out Air Assault" surfing expedition including pro riders with visits by Kirk and bassist Rob Trujillo, who will also have their own surfboards on display, "Ktulu's Rock 'N' Roll Emporium," a rock and roll market; and more to be announced.