Metallica, John Legend to perform at Grammys

Chart-topping singer John Legend and metal legends Metallica will be among the performers at this year's Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy announced Wednesday.

The music industry's signature gala takes place in Los Angeles on February 12, with Beyonce leading nominations.

Legend, who is best known for his ballad "All of Me," is a favorite of the Grammys. The 38-year-old has won 10 awards and has performed each year since 2014.

Metallica, one of the most influential groups in heavy metal, in November released its first album in eight years which, like Legend's latest, came out too late for Grammy eligibility.

The Recording Academy, which plans to announce further performers later, will also give the ceremony a country music flavor with two of the genre's top stars to play -- Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

The Grammys determine winners by polling music professionals rather than looking at sales charts, but network CBS also seeks a wide television audience for its broadcast.

The host of this year's ceremony will be British comedian James Corden, who has amassed a fan base for his late-night CBS show in part through his running "Carpool Karaoke" segment with famous singers.

Corden replaces rapper LL Cool J who led the show for five straight years.