The band, which has won nine Grammys and released 10 legendary studio albums, was forced to cancel shows back then after the singer and lead guitarist James Hetfield returned to rehab as he relapsed after 15 years of sobriety. At the time, a statement from Metallica said: “As most of you probably know, our brother James has been struggling with addiction on and off for many years. He has now, unfortunately, had to re-enter a treatment program to work on his recovery again.” Before 2019, the star was last admitted to a rehabilitation facility back in 2004 following a few years of heavy substance abuse.
The latest news about the star’s addiction recovery came from drummer Lars Ulrich last November.
He remarked: “James is in a very healthy place, the band is in a very healthy place.”
Addiction has been a problem for Hetfield for decades. Over a series of media appearances, the singer explained the toll his rock-and-roll lifestyle has had on his life, and how he started to turn it around.
Back in 2017, he told Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience about the influences which drew him closer to addiction over the years.