[imagesource:flickr]

Metallica has been forced to cancel some shows after frontman James Hetfield tested positive for Covid just prior to a concert at Glendale, Arizona.

The band released a statement saying that the pesky flu had finally caught up with Papa Het, forcing them to reschedule the second of two concerts.

The band featuring Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich shared the 60-year-old musician’s diagnosis on Instagram with a photo of his positive COVID test. “Unfortunately, COVID has caught up with James,” the group captioned the post. “We’re extremely disappointed and regret any inconvenience this has caused you.”

The master of heavy metal (yes, I’m a fan), are currently on their M72 World Tour, but apparently Hetfield was struggling with his vocals during the last show, which prompted the probing of his nose.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Metallica (@metallica)

Several artists commented on the “Nothing Else Matters” band’s post, wishing Hetfield well. The M72 World Tour special guests Pantera commented, “Hope you are feeling better soon, James 🙌“.

Earlier this year, Bruce Springsteen also had to cancel an appearance due to COVID-19. The rocker, 73, tested positive in April shortly after playing his first concert in seven years in his native New Jersey, making him unable to attend an award ceremony.

The new Covid variant (same shit, different strain) is popping up in newsfeeds every day now, but it seems we’ve all gotten so used to Covid news that it’s not even headlines anymore.