METALLICA are announcing the return of their famed snake pit stage setup. In a new update, the band reports:

"As you may have heard, the theme of our summer trek through Europe is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of the Black Album by playing it in its entirety at all 16 shows. And what would a tour of the Black Album be without a snake pit?

For those of you who were with us almost 20 years ago for the summer of ’92-’93 tours, you might recall that diamond shaped pit extending from the middle of the stage, well it’s baccccckkkk for our little summer vacation!

Met Club members with floor/front section tickets (it varies by venue) are eligible to win passes to watch from the snake pit at all shows on the European tour this summer with the exception of Rock Am Ring on June 2nd, where local production constraints prevent us from setting the snake pit up. Log in and get all the details on how to enter here.

We’re gearing up and getting ready now... see you on the road next month!"

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.