Metallica launch Bataclan album for Record Store Day

Metallica will commemorate the terrorist attack at France’s Bataclan venue with the release of a live album recorded there in 2003.

The charity title is their contribution to this year’s Record Store Day, which takes place on April 16 – and they’ve been named global ambassadors for the event.

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite, Metallica! was recorded at the Paris club in 2003, 12 years before 89 people were killed as the Eagles Of Death Metal performed there. All proceeds from the release will be donated to the Give For France fund.

Drummer Lars Ulrich says: “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 – we’re looking forward to screaming from every rooftop about everything independent record store and beyond.”

Their 2015 offering, a replica of their No Life Til Leather demo cassette, was 2015’s biggest-selling RSD item. Find out more on this year’s event.

Meanwhile, bassist Robert Trujillo has confirmed a one-off London show with his funk-metal band Mass Mental. Trujillo, Benji Webbe, Whitfield Crane, Brant Bjork and Armand Sabal-Lecco will perform at the Electric Ballroom on March 13.

Why Record Store Day is important – by Frank Turner

Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.