This years Record Store Day on April 16^th , a day dedicated to supporting merchants, many of them independent retailers and other chains that still sell music. Every year a celebrity artist is chosen as an ambassador and this year that artist is Metallica. As one of the best selling bands of all-time, one of the current largest retailers of digital music, as well as a band that began in the underground by trading tapes, they are uniquely qualified to serve in this capacity.

Lars Ulrich commented on the honor:

“Independent record stores are part of Metallica’s DNA.. They have been pivotal in shaping each one of us into the music fanatics we’ve all become. We could not be any prouder to be Record Store Day Ambassadors for 2016 and are looking forward to screaming from every rooftop the next few months about everything independent record store and beyond.”

To celebrate the honor, Metallica will release a RSD only live album Metallica will release Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Metallica! – Live at Le Bataclan. Paris, France – June 11th, 2003, on their own label Blackened Records. The release will be a special CD featuring a live recording from the club, with the band, Record Store Day and independent record stores donating proceeds to benefit Fondation de France’s Give For France charity (details here)

Metallica! – Live at Le Bataclan. Paris, France – June 11th, 2003 track listing

The Four Horsemen

Leper Messiah

No Remorse

Fade To Black

Frantic

Ride The Lightning

Blackened

Seek & Destroy

Damage, Inc.

Lars Ulrich of Metallica, by Victoria Anderson

The sponsors for Record store day include labels that support rock and metal such as ADA, Border City Media, Caroline, Crosley Turntables, Disk Union, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, InGrooves, Music Business Association, RED, Red Bull Sound Select, Redeye Distribution, Sony Music, Universal Music Distribution, Warner Bros. Records, WEA  and more. More details about record store day can be found at the RSD official website, which as just relaunched.

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