
Avril Lavigne, Korn , Limp Bizkit and Sum 41 have been tagged to honor heavy-metal vets Metallica during next month's "mtvICON: Metallica" special, which marks the third installment in the annual MTV series.
During the ceremony--which will be taped on May 3 before a live audience in Los Angeles--all four acts will perform their renditions of some classic Metallica songs. MTV will air the 90-minute special at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time, 8 p.m. Central Time, on May 6.
Additional performers will be announced soon. Also pending is list of Metallica-influenced artists who will pay tribute to the group via testimonials.
The show's finale will feature a performance by the guests of honor, which will mark Metallica's first public performance with new bassist Robert Trujillo. Trujillo recently left Ozzy Osbourne's band to replace former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. Newsted, meanwhile, has now filled the void in Ozzy's outfit.
MTV is currently holding a contest that gives Metallica fans a shot at winning a trip to the "mtvICON: Metallica" taping. Details are posted at the network's website.
Metallica is gearing up for the June 10 release of "St. Anger," which is the group's first new studio set since 1997's "Reload." The band will support the album with its second Summer Sanitarium Tour, which kicks off on the Fourth of July. The outing will also feature Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Deftones and Mudvayne.
Last year, the "mtvICON" special paid tribute to Aerosmith, and the series' 2001 inaugural effort put the spotlight on Janet Jackson.