Metallica and Lou Reed Record Full-Length Collaborative Album

Metallica have revealed that they are set to release a full-length collaborative album with Lou Reed.

The metal titans had previously hinted that they were undertaking a project that wasn't quite "100 percent Metallica" -- and in a statement on their official website, the band have now unveiled the unlikely pairing. They have finished recording 10 songs with the Velvet Underground man, with a release date for the album unconfirmed so far.

In a statement, they said, "Ever since we had the pleasure of performing with Lou at the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009, we have been kicking around the idea of making a record together.

"Some of you astute Bay Area residents may have picked up news of recent Lou Reed sightings in the greater San Francisco area and we have indeed been working at our home studio at HQ on and off over the last few months. In what would be lightning speed for a Metallica-related project, we recorded 10 songs during this time and while at this moment we're not exactly sure when you'll hear it, we're beyond excited to share with you that the recording sessions wrapped up last week."

As previously reported by Spinner, Metallica have lined up producer Rick Rubin -- who oversaw 2008's 'Death Magnetic' -- to lord it over the recording of their next '100 per cent Metallica' album.