Metallica were slated to headline two of the festival’s three days.
(TRR) – Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tool will be replacing Metallica at Sonic Temple this May. Metallica were scheduled to play two unique headlining sets on Friday, May 15 and Sunday, May 17 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, OH.
Slipknot are still set to headline Sonic Temple on Saturday, May 16.
Metallica frontman James Hetfield recently completed treatment for alcohol rehabilitation. On January 30, he appeared at an exhibition of his personal car collection at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, CA. On February 20, Hetfield performed publicily for the first time since completing his treatment. At an Eddie Money tribute concert in Beverly Hills, Hetfield did a solo acoustic rendition of the late rocker’s “Baby Hold On.“
It is unclear why Metallica have pulled out of Sonic Temple. While James seems to be doing well, the band may be taking steps to lighten their frontman’s load in 2020 so he can ease back into the touring regiment.
Metallica are also rumored to be starting work on a new studio album in 2021.