METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Are you a 'Guitar Hero' shredder? Or maybe drums are your thing... Either way, if you're ready to take on the competitionand be among the first to play 'Guitar Hero: Metallica', here's your chance. Starting Wednesday, March 18, there will be a three-day 'Metallica Madness' tournament at the Best Buy store in Austin, Texas during the South by Southwest music festival.

"High scorers on each of the three days (one drummer and one guitarist plus a couple of runners-up to make the 'elite eight') will then move on to compete Friday night at a special 'Guitar Hero: Metallica' release party at Stubb's, also in Austin, Texas. Friday night's shindig will include live music, a DJ, and we'll be hangin' there checking out your gameplay."

For more info and all the official rules, click here.