Metallica have just confirmed that their only UK appearance this year will be as headliner at the Download Festival 2006.

They were scheduled to play at Download last year – but drummer Lars Ulrich had a bit of ‘a moment’ and didn’t make it to the site (leaving James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo to play a short greatest hits set with various stand-in drummers) but its been announced Metallica are once again booked to rock the UK’s biggest rock festival.

Festival director Stuart Galbraith said in a statement, “With the announcement of this amazing artist we are set to have the biggest and best Download ever.

“Metallica’s performance at Download 06 will be exclusive and will be their only UK show this year. To have Metallica come back to Download after Lars not being able to play in 2004 will be the completion of their latest Donington chapter in the band’s 25th year.”

The three-day event takes place at Donington Park on June 9, 10 and 11, and Metallica (who’ve played Donington Park an amazing six times over the years) will be playing on a bill that already includes The Prodigy, Trivium and Bullet For My Valentine.

Download went on sale on Friday 3 February and tickets are selling fast. Tickets are available here from the official outlet.