METALLICA announced Monday they are canceling two headlining performances at music festivals because of frontman James Hetfield’s ongoing health journey.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.

“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’t want to let the Metallica team/family down and, I alone, completely compromised myself,”