Metallica have cancelled two festivals so far. Headline performances due to take place later this year in order to support frontman James Hetfield's recovery.
To deal with his "struggles with addiction" the singer entered rehab, in last September, with his alcoholism issues addiction.
Metallica will now no longer be headlining Columbus' Sonic Temple festival in May or Louisville's Louder Than Life in September 2020, they will be replaced by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tool.
Other appearance at events including Epicenter, Welcome To Rockville, and Aftershock will still go ahead as planned. Heatfield apologise, to the fans, explained why the band were pulling out. "As part of my continuing effort to get and stay healthy, I have critical recovery events on those weekends that can not be removed." Last week the musician appeared at a tribute for late star Eddie Money, who died in September 2019.