Metallica on Reading 'honour'

By Julian Marshall
Newsbeat reporter at Reading Festival

Metallica bassist interview

Metallica have said that headlining the Reading Festival is an "honour and a privilege".

The Los Angeles metal giants play the closing set of the event on its traditional rock night - the Sunday.

Speaking backstage, bassist Robert Trujillo said because the group have just completed their new album the festival feels like a "new challenge".

He said: "It is amazing. Reading is legendary and for us to be here again is an honour and a privilege."

He continued: "The great thing about this festival is that the crowds are always mad. We love that, we feed off that.

"For us, every show we do is a personal thing - the British audience have always been amazing and supportive.

"There's so much excitement with the new album, and to show what we've got. It feels like a new challenge for us."

Bands pull out

The Sunday at Reading was hampered by two bands pulling out of their scheduled appearances.

Both Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold pulled out of the event due to injury.

Metal band Slipknot pulled out after their drummer broke his ankle

Slipknot cancelled their appearance before the event started after drummer Joey Jordison broke his ankle.

Avenged Sevenfold, who played a shortened set at the Leeds leg of the event, cancelled their slot on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesperson for the festival told Newsbeat singer M. Shadows is suffering from a throat problem.

"Thankfully there are no long term problems and with proper rest, Matt will return to the road shortly," a statement reads.

As a result of the changes, the main stage changed its timetable.

Bands who were able to play included Dropkick Murphys and Plain White T's

Metallica release their new album Death Magnetic on 12 September.

The record is the band's first in five years, which is also the last time the band headlined the main stage.