Metallica and Iron Maiden to headline Sonisphere 2014

Metallica and Iron Maiden have been announced as headliners for next year's Sonisphere rock festival.

It will be the first time that the two bands have appeared together in the UK with Metallica due to play an 18-song set made up of fan requests and one choice from the band.

The event hasn't been held for the last two years but returns to Knebworth House in Hertfordshire on 4-6 July.

The stately home is also celebrating 40 years of concerts in its grounds.

The Allman Brothers Band were the first band to use Knebworth House as a music venue in 1974, attracting more than 60,000 fans.

Since then the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Genesis, Deep Purple, Oasis and Queen have all played there with Robbie Williams attracting a record crowd of 375,000 fans in 2003.

Iron Maiden last played at Sonisphere in 2010 when they headlined

Sonisphere Festival director Stuart Galbraith says a lot of work has been done behind the scenes over the last year to get a good bill together.

"Last year we decided not to run because we felt we couldn't put a bill together that was strong enough," he said.

"We've spent a year working on a bill and we're over the moon that we've been able to achieve not only Iron Maiden or Metallica individually but that we've got them together on the same festival for the first time ever in the UK."

Metallica last headlined the festival in 2010 as part of Sonisphere's Big Four, when they toured Europe with Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer and also topped the bill in 2009.

Drummer Lars Ulrich said: "What could be more fitting on our third Knebworth go-around than to play an all-request set, chosen entirely by the fans?

"We are so excited about the limitless possibilities of our friends picking what songs Metallica get to perform on this forthcoming evening from the nearly 140 songs we've recorded throughout our ride.

"Who knows what crazy challenges will be thrown our way?"

Iron Maiden will end their Maiden England world tour at Knebworth House with a third headliner still to be announced.

Five other European Sonisphere line-ups will also be announced later this week.

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