Heavy metal star Randy Blythe is adding ballet composer to his resume after agreeing to score a friend's new dance project.

The Lamb of God frontman reveals he was approached by his pal Matthew Frain, a member of Virginia's Richmond Ballet, and asked if he could use some of his old music for a new short piece, titled Inventory, but instead the singer offered to help score the show from scratch.

Blythe, who admits he is a fan of ballet, tells the local Richmond magazine, "(Frain) asked me if he could use some (pre-existing music) and I said, 'Sure, but why don't we just conceptualise a piece from the ground up, together.'"

Discussing his inspirations, he continues, "Artistically, I don't live in some heavy metal cave - most of my favourite frontmen all work in various disciplines - Nick Cave, Henry Rollins, David Yow; these are men whose musical work I admire and respect.

"These guys have made some of the most original and caustic tunes in the history of music, but they also have produced some really beautiful art and literature. Those are the types of artistic role models I look to for inspiration."

But Blythe can understand why his new side project may come as a surprise for fans of his group Lamb of God.

He adds, "I guess some fans of my band or metal music in general might be surprised, because they only know me as a two-dimensional cartoon-character-like screaming frontman of a metal band."

Inventory will premiere at Richmond, Virginia's dance festival on 22 March (15).