Metallica explain single US Big Four date

Metallica will only play one US date on their Big Four tour because they don't want to "overstay" their welcome.

The 'Enter Sandman' group have teamed up with fellow thrash metal bands Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax but drummer Lars Ulrich says they will only play together in Coachella, California, because they are unsure of the reception they can expect in the US.

He told Los Angeles radio station KROQ-FM: "Listen, we don't wanna cram this down people's throats. We don't wanna sort of overstay the welcome, and we don't know what kind of response there's gonna be to this in America.

"We have a history in Southern California, Slayer has a history in Southern California, Megadeth singer Dave Mustaine has a history in Southern California, so there's a lot of history in California."

However, Lars revealed if the initial gig is a hit with fans, all four groups - who enjoyed a successful run of shows together in Eastern European last summer and have also announced further European dates - will consider extending their US dates.

He explained: "If there is enough demand for it, obviously there's a very strong possibility that there'll be more shows, but we don't wanna overextend the welcome and we also don't wanna turn it into something that becomes this whole nostalgia trip that's gonna sort of be, 'Okay, now it's just gonna be this for the next few years,' and 'Celebrate the past.' So it's a balancing act, you know."