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Aging metal pioneers Metallica will headline KROQ's 2008 Weenie Roast in Los Angeles on May 17th. The band, who is set to release a new, Rick Rubin-produced studio album this September, will support L.A.'s biggest "modern rock" station (meaning they play the same 15 songs in solid rotation, day in and day out), performing alongside the Offspring, the Raconteurs, MGMT, Rise Against, Flogging Molly, Bad Religion, The Bravery, Pennywise and more.

The inclusion of the metal icons is an interesting step for the Weenie Roast, whose organizers have gravitated to more alternative bands in past years such as the Cure, U2 and Depeche Mode.

Metallica, whose Kill 'Em All record turns 25 this summer, also plans to headline KFMA Day in Tuscon, AZ the day before the Weenie Roast. KFMA Day is a day-long festival in Tuscon at the Pima County Fairgrounds. The two Southwest dates will be the band's only appearances before their scheduled Bonnaroo appearance on June 13th, after which they'll ride the European festival circuit for most of the summer. They're currently prepping their ninth studio album, the first without producer Bob Rock in what seems like a lifetime (15 years, actually). Rick Rubin, production guru whose golden touch has lifted the careers of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, the Mars Volta, Jay-Z and Johnny Cash, to name just few, has long been at the top of the list of dream producers for die-hard Metallica fans.

The lineup was announced this morning (May 5) on KROQ's "The Kevin and Bean Show." Check out kroq.com for the full lineup and ticket info.