Heavy-metal elder statesmen Metallica will lead a group of younger heavies on a summer stadium tour beginning June 30 in Foxboro, Mass.

The nine shows announced are scattered around the United States, including stops in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver and San Francisco. More dates will be posted on Metallica's official tour site (www.metontour.com).

After leading the heavy-metal scene of the '80s and '90s, Metallica have turned more experimental and reflective in recent years, in the fall releasing S&M, on which they perform such hits as "Master of Puppets" (RealAudio excerpt) with the San Francisco Symphony.

Hard-rockers Korn and rap-rocker Kid Rock are two of the high-profile guests scheduled to open the shows.

Korn, currently on tour in the Midwest, will soon head to Europe, where they will continue to promote last fall's Issues before returning for the summer tour. The album features the single "Falling Away From Me" (RealAudio excerpt).

Kid Rock was recently nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award, despite having 10 years in the music industry under his belt. Last year he rose to prominence with the success of the rap-metal album Devil Without a Cause. He recently shot a video for a new song, "American Badass," which samples Metallica's "Sad But True."

Also opening on the tour will be relative newcomers Powerman 5000 and System of a Down.

Metallica tour dates:

June 30; Foxboro, Mass.; Foxborough Stadium

July 3; St. Louis, Mo.; Gateway International Speedway

July 7; Atlanta, Ga.; Georgia Dome

July 8; Sparta, Ky.; Kentucky Speedway

July 9; Dallas, Texas; Texas Stadium

July 12; Denver, Colo.; Mile High Stadium

July 14; San Francisco, Calif.; 3 Com Park

July 15; Los Angeles, Calif.; Coliseum

July 20; E. Rutherford, N.J.; Giants Stadium