As promised, Metallica's latest album, Death Magnetic, will be coming to to Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, day and date with the album's retail release this Friday, September 12. 

The album will cost $17.99 for PlayStation 3 or 1440 MS Points for Xbox 360. The album features the ten tracks from the retail album, as well as two versions of the song "Suicide & Redemption" that feature extended solos by guitarists James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. Additionally, the album will be completely forward compatible with the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour, and there will be no need to re-purchase or re-download the tracks for the full experience. 

Is there anyone looking forward to picking this one up? Produced by Rick Rubin, Death Magnetic is often referred to as a true follow-up to Metallica's classic, Master of Puppets. Having listened to the new Metallica record in passing, I'm personally resigned to a very old-man-like "meh." Still, this is a pretty nice grab by Activision Blizzard, and should turn a few heads towards their upcoming World Tour. 

Of course, there's also this quote from MTV Games' Paul DeGooyer regarding Rock Band:

"There are a couple of things we've committed to, one of them with Metallica for example. They've reserved the right to give us their first single from their new album for the game."

So how's that working out for you, Paul?

Metallica Brings Death Magnetic to Guitar Hero(R) III: Legends of Rock This Friday to Make Music and Video Gaming History

Guitar Hero(R) to Feature Two Exclusive Versions of "Suicide and Redemption"

Downloadable Death Magnetic Album Also Forward Compatible with Upcoming Guitar Hero(R) World Tour

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept 08, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- In a monumental first for the gaming and music industries, Metallica's highly anticipated ninth studio album Death Magnetic will be available in its entirety as downloadable content for Activision Publishing, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero(R) III: Legends of Rock day and date with the album release this Friday, September 12. Featured on the downloadable album will be two Guitar Hero(R) exclusive renditions of "Suicide & Redemption" with extended solos by James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. Gamers looking to shred, drum and wail away to the Death Magnetic downloadable album need only purchase the content once as it is forward compatible and will integrate seamlessly with Guitar Hero(R) World Tour when it launches this October.

In addition to the two exclusive versions of "Suicide & Redemption," Guitar Hero fans will live out the surreal Metallica experience with: "That Was Just Your Life," "The End of the Line," "Broken, Beat & Scared," "The Day That Never Comes," "All Nightmare Long," "Cyanide," "The Unforgiven III," "The Judas Kiss" and "My Apocalypse."

"We've been working very closely with Metallica and we're extremely excited to offer Death Magnetic not only in its entirety, but also with the exclusive recordings of 'Suicide & Redemption' as downloadable content to Guitar Hero fans," said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs for Activision Blizzard. "We're proud to be setting a new precedent for our two industries, making an entire new album available in two different mediums simultaneously."

Metallica's Death Magnetic album will be available for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock on September 12, 2008 for download on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft at a cost of 1440 Microsoft Points and in the PLAYSTATION(R)Store for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system at a cost of $17.99.