Metallica fans have been urged to use ear protection for their Slane Castle gig this weekend.
The heavy metal band are due to take the stage on Saturday for their first Irish show in 10 years.
A leading hearing expert has warned people attending this or any summer concerts to protect their ears from the "big bang" of the speakers.
Senior audiologist from Hidden Hearing Peter Noel Cullen said that any noise above 85 decibels is damaging to hearing.
He said: “The average rock concert can be as loud as 110 decibels — what I call a big bang of noise.
“Continuous exposure to noise over 85 decibels can damage your hearing.”
He said that the best way to avoid ear damage is to not stand directly next to the speakers for long periods of time and to invest in light ear plugs.
Concert goers have been urged to book any travel in advance due to the amount of people attending the gig.
The band will be joined by Swedish rock band Ghost and Irish bands Stiff Little Fingers and Fangclub, along with Norwegian group Bokassa.
The band are heading on tour to promote their tenth album ‘Hardwired…To Self-Destruct’.
Metallica’s last gig in Ireland was at Marlay Park in 2009 with their first Irish concert being way back in 1986.
