Metallica made all those trend changes excellent, back in mid 90-s old fashioned metal was deep deep underground so they knew that they had to change somthing. Actually, I think that they opend it up for bands like Korn, Limp and rest of nu metal bands (my opinion).
Metallica gained also radio listners wich became fans and have definitly more fans now than they had back in the 80-s our even after Black Album.
No doubt that they sold out but they did it well. Now it seems like they are heading back in the good old form so St Anger will have a lot to prove and for all us old Metallica 80-s fans, I mean c´mon, would´t you like to see ´em live again? Also with Robert on bas it can be damn exciting ´cause he´s better that Jason and probably (techniqlly) better than Cliff R.I.P.
No metter what Metallica do and how much they sell out our how slow Kirk plays our how egoistic Lars is our how much James´ singin´ has improved over the past years, they are nr 1.
Dejan S. No speed limit