Metallica have announced details of ‘Guitar Hero: Metallica’ launch party to take place at the annual music festival in Austin, Texas.

Metallica’s official web site has been updated with the following message:

“Are you a ‘Guitar Hero’ shredder? Or maybe drums are your thing… Either way, if you’re ready to take on the competition and be among the first to play ‘Guitar Hero: Metallica’, here’s your chance. Starting Wednesday, March 18, there will be a three-day ‘Metallica Madness’ tournament at the Best Buy store in Austin, Texas during the South by Southwest music festival.

“High scorers on each of the three days (one drummer and one guitarist plus a couple of runners-up to make the ‘elite eight’) will then move on to compete Friday night at a special ‘Guitar Hero: Metallica’ release party at Stubb’s, also in Austin, Texas. Friday night’s shindig will include live music, a DJ, and we’ll be hangin’ there checking out your gameplay.

Austin Powell of The Austin Chronicle says he’s received confirmation from the Metallica camp that the band will indeed be playing Austin’s legendary venue Stubb’s on Friday, March 20th at 10:00p.m. as part of the ‘Guitar Hero: Metallica’ showcase during the Texas capital’s annual South By Southwest (SXSW) music and media festival.

Roland Swenson of SXSW has, however, claimed that, “He didn’t get it from us”. Swenson told Austin360.com, “We were told not to confirm anything and we’re sticking by that.”

Stubb’s is an outdoor venue that holds 2,100. South By Southwest badges and wristbands will be getting priority for entry. There will also be a line for those willing to pay cover, but admission will be based on space availability.

Powell said he got the confirmation two days ago and notified SXSW organizers that he planned to print it, but never heard back from them.

The highly anticipated ‘Guitar Hero: Metallica’ arrives in stores on March 29th for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms. The PS2 and Wii editions of the game will most likely follow in early May. The game contains 28 Metallica tracks, along with tracks from Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains and more!

Sonisphere will take place on August 1st – 2nd at Knebworth. Metallica and Linkin Park will headline on a bill that will also feature Nine Inch Nails, Bullet For My Valentine, Avenged Sevenfold, Machine Head, Anthrax, Airbourne, Lamb Of God, Alice In Chains, Mastodon, Thin Lizzy, Killing Joke and The Sword.

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