ESPN’s extreme sports competition, X Games, starts today in Austin, Texas. It’s an event where elite athletes in sports like BMX, skateboarding, motor cross and more compete to take home gold, silver and bronze. On Saturday (June 5), Metallica are set to perform at the event, and they've just announced they will be helping those suffering because of the extreme weather that has hit Central Texas over the past several weeks.

While this weekend will be a time of partying and fun for those competing and attending X Games, other parts of Texas are still dealing with some very serious problems due to flash flooding, thunderstorms, hail and high winds. Since the severe weather began, people have died, gone missing, been evacuated from their homes and have had their property destroyed. The entire state has had to deal with rain since the beginning of May and on May 30, President Obama declared a major disaster exists in the State of Texas due to the weather.

In hopes to aid the people in Central Texas who have suffered, Metallica have announced they’ll be donating proceeds from the money they raise in online downloads of their X Games performance to the Central Texas Red Cross. All formats of their X Games concert will be on sale for only $5 from now until July 15 and the band will donate all of the money they earn in purchases within that time frame to the Red Cross. You can pre-order the download at LiveMetallica.com to secure your purchase and to help those in need.

In a post on their website, the band writes, “We are looking forward to seeing everyone out at the X Games this Saturday, but are also reminded that many of our friends in Texas have suffered hardships during the severe weather that hit Central Texas causing extreme flooding."

While on Metallica's website, you can also pick up the just released Live Metallica: 25 Nights Down Under. The giant CD box set includes 25 performances that took place in Australia dating from September 2010 to March 2013. Head here to order your copy now.

For anyone looking to donate more to the Central Texas Red Cross, head here.

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