Metallica Are Boring, Download Fest Organizers Say

The organizers of Britain's Download Festival decided against booking Metallica as this year's headline act because they are convinced the rockers have become "boring" by touring too often. Â The band took center stage at the rock event in 2004 and 2006, but is absent from the lineup of the upcoming event in June.

Organizer Andy Copping admits he chose Def Leppard to take the slot instead, and has no regrets over not pursuing the metal giants - insisting fans needs a break from the "Enter Sandman" hitmakers. He tells NME.com, "I booked Def Leppard because they deserve it, because they are big enough to do it... Metallica are a great band but if they went away for three or four years then came back then they'd be even bigger. When they keep coming back they become boring."

"Metallica have toured extensively and have been here for seven of the last eight summers. For me that is definitely overdoing it." The festival takes place between 10 and 12 June at the U.K.'s Donington Park, with headline acts Def Leppard, System of a Down and Linkin Park.