Metallica announce world tour and first new album in six years

The rock band's 12th studio album will be called 72 Seasons

James Hetfield, frontman of Metallica. Invision / AP

Metallica on Monday announced a global tour as well as a date for their coming 12th studio album, 72 Seasons, their first since 2016.

The album is set for release on April 14 next year, and the tour will kick off that same month in Amsterdam.

The rockers will play two dates in each city they visit, and promise different setlists and supporting acts for each.

Metallica will play several shows in Europe including in Paris, Hamburg and Madrid, with a string of dates across North America including in Los Angeles, Detroit, Montreal and Mexico City also slated.

On Monday, the heavy metal band also released a new song off the 12-track album, Lux Aeterna.

Explaining the album's title, frontman James Hetfield, 59, said: "72 Seasons. The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves.

"The concept that we were told 'who we are' by our parents. A possible pigeonholing around what kind of personality we are. I think the most interesting part of this is the continued study of those core beliefs and how it affects our perception of the world today.".

"Much of our adult experience is re-enactment or reaction to these childhood experiences. Prisoners of childhood or breaking free of those bondages we carry."

Scroll through the gallery below to see Metallica's show in the UAE back in 2013

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  Metallica returned to Abu Dhabi in 2013.

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  Metallica returned to the capital with another thunderous performance. Free from the touring cycle of their come back album, 2008's Death Magnetic, the boys simply came out to have a play. Photo: Flash

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  Such is the status of Metallica; even a glorified rehearsal session was enough to warrant a 10,000 strong crowd. Photo: Flash

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  With the 2011 show establishing the Los Angeles titans as having a fervent fan base in the region, they ditched the crowd-pleasing cannons and fireworks and returned with a set squarely aimed at the faithful. Photo: Flash

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  Any elation generated from Master of Puppets was stomped out by double missives of Shortest Straw and Harvester of Sorrow. Photo: Flash

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  It was another epic night and was the loudest show to come to Yas Island since the last time the boys came to town. Photo: Flash