Well I actually always much preferred the 'new Metallica', unlike almost everyone who listens to them. I like their more melodic side, stuff like 'The Unforgiven II', 'Nothing Else Matters', and the kind of middling-heavy stuff, 'Whiskey In The Jar', 'Fuel', 'Enter Sandman' and stuff. Apart from a few songs, the earlier thrashy stuff doesn't do a lot for me...so for me, a Metallica return to the roots is probably more a bad thing. Although I always appreciate their kickass guitar solos, hats off to that Kirk dude, he is a damn fine player.