I have to argue the point that Hammett has lost it...I just saw Metallica live this past September, and...to be honest...I wasn't sure I wanted to go...I thought maybe they were washed up...that they couldn't shred anymore. Dureing that concert they played for almost 2.5 hours...and they only played two songs from St. Anger and it was awesome they still got it...they just aren't utilizing it for some odd...unmetal reason.