Metallica announced Monday they are canceling two headlining performances at music festivals due to frontman James Hetfield’s ongoing health journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a written statement, Hetfield apologized to ticket-holders for the Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus, Ohio and Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“As part of my continuing effort to get and stay healthy, I have critical recovery events on those weekends that cannot be moved,” he said. “The reality is that I have not prioritized my health in the past year of touring and I now know that my mental health comes first. That might sound like a no-brainer for most of you but I didn\u2019t want to let the Metallica team\/family down and, I alone, completely compromised myself,” Hetfield said in a release obtained by USA TODAY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added the band is working with festival promoters to provide refunds or exchanges. Metallica “will play all other announced 2020 shows,” he emphasized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In September 2019, the band postponed their tour to Australia and New Zealand so Hetfield could re-enter a treatment program for addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The singer, 56, has been open about his addiction and alcoholism. His struggles were detailed in the 2004 documentary film “Metallica: Some Kind of Monster,” where Hetfield left the band to enter rehab in 2001. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2016, during an appearance on “Joe Rogan Experience,” the frontman said “fear was a big motivator” in inspiring him to get clean. At that time, he said he was sober for 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n