Hetfield's addiction causes Metallica cancellations

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Musicians James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo of Metallica take a bow onstage at CBS RADIO’s third annual “The Night Before” at AT&T Park on February 6, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for CBS)

James Hetfield’s road to recovery has caused Metallica to cancel three upcoming sets – both sets at Louisville’s Louder Than Life festival and one at the Sonic Temple in Columbus, OH are now nixed.
A statement from Hetfield to fans reads, in part, “As part of my continuing effort to get and stay healthy, I have critical recovery events on those weekends that cannot be moved… My intent with this statement is saying “I apologize” to each one of you.”
Metallica announced late last year that their frontman was re-entering rahab for his addiction struggles.
At 56-years-old, is Hetfield beyond making excuses for? Could Metallica continue without him? Is there someone on YouTube right now nailing that sound, kind of like Journey did with Steve Perry?

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