Metallica will play four shows to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

The ‘Enter Sandman ‘ rockers are set to play a quartet of shows for fan club members only on December 5, 7, 9, and 10 at the historic Fillmore Auditorium in their hometown of San Francisco.

A statement issued by the band explained: “These unique shows will include special guests and events, rare songs, varied set lists, odds and ends, and all the nutty stuff you expect from Metallica – fun for the entire family!

“Spend the week with us not only to close out 2011 out with a bang, but to celebrate over three decades worth of craziness.”

Tickets are deliberately priced to be affordable for fans, with the concerts costing just $6 each or $19.81,for all shows, after 1981 – the year Metallica – currently comprised of vocalist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo – formed.

The ‘Day That Never Comes’ band were voted the best rock group of the last 30 years in a recent poll by British magazine Kerrang! earlier this year, an award which was welcomed by Lars.

He said: “It gives me a very warm and fuzzy feeling that Kerrang! magazine have voted Metallica as the band that most changed their lives. I remember the first issue of the magazine in 1981.

“I had made a pilgrimage to England because I was obsessed with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. I travelled all over the country and that first issue accompanied me everywhere.”