METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo will take part in a live chat via the web site of the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet today (Saturday, March 7) at approximately 18.45 (6:45 p.m.) Stockholm time (12:45 p.m. EST). (The chat was originally scheduled for 18.00 but was postponed because the band is apparently stuck in traffic.)

To take part in a chat, go to this location, scroll down to the box below the METALLICA photo and enter your chat username (whatever you want it to be) in the box next to "Ditt namn:" and click on "Chatta!"

According to a report in the Austin Chronicle's "Off The Record" column, rumors are circulating that METALLICA could make an appearance at Austin's legendary venue Stubb's on Friday, March 20 during the Texas capital's annual South By Southwest music and media festival. The festival's creative director, Brent Grulke, said, "There is going to be a Guitar Hero event at South By Southwest. Some of METALLICA's band members may make an appearance at the event." There was no indication of whether the band would perform if they did appear.

A representative for Activision, which publishes Guitar Hero, told The Pulse of Radio that nothing could be confirmed at this time, and that details of the event would be announced next week.

A METALLICA appearance would make sense since the highly anticipated Guitar Hero: Metallica arrives in stores on March 29 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms. The PS2 and Wii editions of the game will most likely follow in early May. The game contains 28 METALLICA tracks, along with tunes from FOO FIGHTERS, ALICE IN CHAINS and others.

The SILVERSUN PICKUPS are officially confirmed to appear at the Guitar Hero event, along with a "special guest" DJ.