Metallica seem to have their heads so far up their artistic arse that they forgot what their fans like. All most fans want them to do is re-write the 'Black' album, the same way that a lot of AOR fans want Harem Scarem to re-write ' Mood Swings'.
As 'artists' the bands want to grow. So there's the dilema, how do you achieve both. Certainly not with Metallica's recent output, but hey, that's their choice.

On the Napster issue however I think Metallica are absolutely RIGHT to take action. Mp3 can be a useful tool in selling more music but as music retailer I can tell you I nearly shit myself when I saw Napster for the first time. I could see my business drifting away as a mass of young casual music buyers, not 'fans', trade digital quality copies and steel covers from my store. Imagine the effect on the specialist AOR labels of finding a load of new artists on Napster. These labels need the money from these artists sales to invest into others and it works the same for the majors. Though I find it hard to ask for sympathy on behalf of Sony or Warners!

This is home taping to the power of 10, and is ultimately going to put a lot of 'small' people in the industry out of work.

Mp3 yes. Napster No.