Metallica announced Monday it is pulling out of two music festivals so frontman James Hetfield can focus on his recovery.
The band has cancelled headline sets at Sonic Temple in Columbus, Ohio in May and Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky in September.
“As part of my continuing effort to get and stay healthy, I have critical recovery events on those weekends that cannot be moved,” Hetfield explained, in a statement. “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’t want to let the Metallica team/family down and, I alone, completely compromised myself.”
Last September, Metallica scrapped its tour of Australia and New Zealand so Hetfield could “re-enter a treatment program to work on his recovery again,” according to a statement from his bandmates at the time.
In 2016, Hetfield told the Wall Street Journal: “I have an addictive personality, so when I act impulsively it can go very wrong.”
In his new statement, the 56-year-old rocker said he is optimistic about the future. "I appreciate all the great prayers and support from everyone since I went into rehab last September,” he said. “Like the moth into the flame, being human in this career has its huge challenges and can be difficult. Your understanding helps the healing.”