Wasn't the Metallica Black album the first produced by Bob Rock? "the man who killed metallica" I think I heard on the news that they were making a new album and going with Rick Rubin. Same producer for Slayer. If this is right I am cautiously excited. I haven't purchased a Metallica album since the Black "letdown". Fucking bob rock, convincing Jamz he can actually sing, and that he should do it often, what a dick. Fucking waste of a decade. Bringing in Rick Rubin m ay be the best move the band could possibly make. The only thing that could top it would be resurrecting Cliff Burton.
...and justice was the second metal album I'd ever listened to. And remains to this day my favorite album. Not just from metallica, but my favorite album of all. Its not so much speed as some of thier earlier stuff, and it has all of the heavy crunch from Puppets, and has a dark edge to it. I think the drumming by Lars is his best work to date. Though a drummer friend says its really overproduced???
And yes, Cliff 'em all was really fucking cool.