Hmm you gota think about it logically... I mean as a band of metallicas stature they new that no matter how good the album was or what it sounded like it was gona be big.. so I dont believe popularity is the reason it sounds how it does. I mean they must have known or no no that its alienated most of there fans.

So why does it sound like it does? I think really when you hear lars talk about how theyve done the monster solos and massive drum fills n big heavy riffs you get the answer.

Its so obvious they ran outa ideas. Arent all there songs in Em anyway? Theyve done the racing speed riffs n done the clean sounding ballads. I think they just ran outa ideas.
Well have to see what there next album is like i guess.