Metallica have confirmed that their new album, 'Death Magnetic', will be released in its entirety on the next version of Guitar Hero.

The partnership means 'Death Magnetic' will become the first album to be given a release simultaneously on both a video game and traditional formats.

It also gives fans of the band the chance to play along to the group's new tracks on the video game.

Although a date has yet to be set, the band said 'Death Magnetic' would be “ready to go once Guitar Hero: World Tour hits the streets in the fall”.

Making the announcement on their website, Metallica said they were “psyched that we’ll be the first out of the gate with this simultaneous release”.

“Who knows, maybe a few years from now this will be the norm when your favourite band’s new record comes out,” they added.

The news comes less than a day after it was confirmed that a song from Guns N Roses new album, 'Chinese Democracy', would form part of the playlist on Rock Band 2.

'Shackler's Revenege' will be the first official release from the band in more than a decade.

(by Jason Gregory)