Heavy metal supergroup Metallica have announced that they will perform their best-selling self titled album Metallica, also known as The Black Album, in its entirety when they step onto the stage to headline at next year's Download festival at Donington Park.

It will be the band's eighth visit to Donington Park when they step onto the stage at Download 2012. They first played at the Monsters of Rock festival in 1985 and most recently back in 2006, Metallica headlined Download festival.

Co-founder and drummer Lars Ulrich revealed on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show that the reason for them performing the 1991 album in full is to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Download heavy metal festival.

Lars Ulrich said: "Six years is way too long to be away from the hallowed grounds of Donington Park. We are beyond psyched and feel privileged to come back once again to soak up the energy and vibe of the most legendary of festival sites."

Vice president of promotions at Live Nation, which runs the festival, Andy Copping was “bowled over” by Metallica's decision to perform in such a way, noting "The album is up there as one of the greatest albums of all time, everyone knows the songs,".

The “Black album” was the band’s self-titled fifth studio album and reached number one in more than 25 countries selling more than 25 million copies worldwide. It includes the six hit singles that are considered today among the band's best-known hits including Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Wherever I May Roam, Nothing Else Matters, and The Unforgiven.

Black Sabbath are also set to headline the main stage on the 10th of June, closing the  Download 2012 festival which takes place from June 8-10. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday (November 18).