The old Metallica is back?

[Kazrog]

More Garthtallica vocals. More wah wah solos out of key. What was I expecting?

 

[EerieVon]

Yeah, there's always something to be pissed off about even if you have it made in the shade.

They've shown that they can write kick ass METAL songs. I think they still could but find it harder to now and choose not too mainly for financial reasons.

Here's my theory:

I think it started with the black album that they just chose to lean more on the rock side in hopes of at least some commercial success and a bit more money. I'm guessing that they did slightly better than just getting by, which is still not nearly enough and were probably sick of the living poor lifestyle (who wouldn't be?).

So when they saw the massive success and money from the black album they needed to continue along that road going even more commercial rock oriented to (hope to) assure more of that good income (and to prove to themselves that they can do it) and they've continued to do so in order to maintain the lifestyle that anyone would want to have.
Otherwise they may have to sell a house and sports car.

I disagree with the lifestyle needs, MOP and AJFA were huge selling albums, and they were playing big venues world wide, not to mention merchandise. I think the black album was a somewhat natural progression for them to take, the slower tempos, etc. The black album, IMO, was good. I think what started their downward spiral was several things, first their new man behind the board--they listened to some of his suggestions for black and they worked at the time, so they started to depend on Rock more and more for creative input--basically it became Bob Rocks Metallica. Now granted almost every producer puts his particular brand on the sound but Rock took it too far. Second, they started believing their press--the heaviest band in the world, etc--it served to stroke their egos (especially Lars), and they started to believe they can do no wrong. There are many other things that have may have helped cause the one time juggernaut called Metallica become what it has. That being said, being a fan since 88 I hope they did recreate some of that fire that helped make them what they were but realistically speaking I not too hopeful.

 

[Felix Neumann]

Holy fucking shit!!! This thread is pure genius.