Metallica singer felled by food poisoning

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 9 (UPI) -- Metallica lead singer James Hetfield was treated at Karolinksa Hospital in Stockholm for a suspected case of food poisoning, The Local said Monday.

Hetfield reportedly fell ill after eating a takeout Indian meal during the weekend. He was hospitalized Sunday, but released several hours later.

"As you can clearly see, one of the members of Metallica isn't with us up here on stage tonight. Unfortunately, I have to let you know that James has had a really, really, bad day and he's on his way to the hospital right now," the Expressen newspaper quoted Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich as telling the 16,000-strong crowd Sunday night. "We obviously hope that he'll be better really soon. Unfortunately, Metallica won't be able to play tonight."

The Local said the band intends to reschedule the show for some time in May and tickets to Sunday's canceled show will be honored on the new date.