METALLICA’s Orion Music + More festivals are done, according to the band’s James Hetfield.

The guitarist shared his thoughts and frustrations with the current state of hard rock and heavy metal in the United States in a new interview with Don Jantzen of 94.5 The Buzz in Houston, Texas, and he says the band’s attempts to launch their own annual event has been a bust.

"Right now, it seems like metal is struggling a little bit in the States,” said Hetfield while promoting this week's release of the band’s 'Through The Never' film on DVD.

“Obviously, the Orion [Music + More] festival that we had tried to do the last couple of years has really not been… Gosh, it's been a disaster financially, and it's not able to happen again because of that. So it's a bummer. So, you know, we're doing what we can to keep being alive here. And I hope to get out and play in the States. It seems like forever since we've been out and about. You know, we've hit the coasts and we've done TV stuff and things like that. But it will happen again. So hopefully, to get your fix, you're able to get the DVD and sit there and headbang with your friends."

Metallica launched Orion Music + More in Atlantic City in 2012. The weekend event moved to Belle Isle in Detroit last year, attracting an estimated 40,000 fans, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers headlining the first night and Metallica closing out the fest the second.

Last month, a spokeswoman for promoter C3 Presents confirmed that the festival will be taking 2014 off as Metallica is touring Europe in early June, during the time period the event was held the last two years.

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