Metallica shows sell out

James Hetfield, lead singer and guitarist of Metallica, at the Big Day Out in 2004. Photo / NZ Herald

Tickets to metal band Metallica's two Christchurch shows sold out in under 30 minutes today.

The tickets for the shows at the CBS Canterbury Arena on September 21 and 22 went on sale at 9am.

All of the tickets for the Wednesday, September 22 show were snapped up in five minutes.

Tickets for the Tuesday, September 21 show sold out in 28 minutes.

The American band also play two sold out shows at Auckland's Vector Arena on October 13 and 14 as part of their World Magnetic Tour.

Metallica last performed in New Zealand at the 2004 Big Day Out.

-NZPA