Metallica have announced details of a massive US arena tour which will support their new album 'Death Magnetic'.

The tour will get under way in Glendale on October 21st and continue at venues across the the country until the end of January next year.

Support at the concerts will come from Down, The Sword, Lamb of God and Machine Head.

In a message on their website, Metallica confirmed that they had finished work on their new album, which will be released worldwide on September 12th.

Metallica's tour dates are:

• Glendale, AZ, Jobing Arena – October 21
• Albquerque, NM, Tingley Coliseum - 23
• Kansas City, MO, Sprint Center - 25
• Des Moines, IA, Wells Fargo Arena - 26
• Portland, OR, Rose Quarter – November 1
• Salt Lake City, UT, Energy Solutions Arena - 3
• Denver, CO, Pepsi Center - 4
• Omaha, NE, Qwest Center - 6
• Moline, IL, iWireless Center - 8
• Columbus, OH, Schottenstein Center - 9
• St. Louis, MO, Scottrade Center - 17
• Tulsa, OK BOK, Center - 18
• Houston, TX ,Toyota Center - 20
• Little Rock, AR, Alltel Arena - 22
• New Orleans, LA, New Orleans Arena – 23
• Seattle, WA, Key Arena – December 1
• Vancouver, BC, GM Place - 2
• Calgary, AB, Pengrowth Saddledome - 4
• Edmonton, AB, Rexall Place - 7
• Ontario, CA, Citizens Bank Arena - 8
• Fresno, CA, Save Mart Center - 13
• San Diego, CA ,Cox Arena - 15
• Los Angeles, CA, The Forum - 17
• Oakland, CA, Oracle Arena – 20
• Milwaukee, WI, Bradley Center - January 12
• Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena - 13
• Washington, DC, Verizon Center - 15
• Philadelphia, PA ,Wachovia Center - 17
• Boston, MA TD, Banknorth Center - 18
• Chicago, IL, Allstate Arena - 26
• Uniondale, NY, Nassau Coliseum - 29
• Newark, NJ, Prudential Center - 31

(by Jason Gregory)