Hi guys,

I simply can’t resist saying a couple of things here...

First off, you’d never know it by my posts, but I am NOT at
all what you’d consider a huge Metallica fan or anything. I
mean, I have to admit that I do have quite a lot respect them.
Why? Well, primarily because, IMO, they were more important
and influential in creating the whole thrash metal genre (from
which evolved speed metal, death metal, etc.) than any other
band. But there are probably at least a dozen or so other metal
bands that I prefer to Metallica.

Okay, now, having said that, I’ve gotta say that I totally disagree
with the notion that this band is trying to take the short track to
success. It’s absolutely true that bands who do jump on bandwagons
and blatantly attempt to skyrocket to the top often wind up plunging
to rock bottom (no pun intended) even faster than they rose in the
first place. But of all the bands kickin’ around out there, I can honestly
say that Metallica is the band I least expected to hear accused of
taking this approach. Jeez, these guys are probably cited more than
any other band in metal (except maybe Iron Maiden?) as an example
of how a metal band can climb the ladder to the top without compromise
and without any commercial appeal (ie, radio/MTV exposure, etc)
whatsoever. I’m not trying to come off as an expert or anything,
but I have been buying and reading music magazines since about
1982, and I have read countless articles where Lars and the gang
are praised and singled out in this regard.

Personally, I believe that Metallica have made it as big as they are
for the following reasons:

-hard work/constant touring
-innovative musical style
-respect of their peers
-unwillingness to compromise (they do what THEY wanna do)
-landing the supporting slot for Ozzy on his “Ultimate Sin”
tour after having released “Master of Puppets”

I know they have disgusted a lot of their fans with some
of their recent releases, I still believe they will always have a
strong core of followers who will respect them for (musically)
following their own hearts or interests or whatever. And there’ll
also be the fairweather fans as well, who come and go. But I
honestly don’t think they have any worries at all in terms of their
fan base (and I don't think they ARE worrying at all). Again, just
my $0.02
Don