I want to hear the entire album before saying the have to can Rob. He was incredible with Suicidal, but may have a little to much funk for Metallica. Jury is still out. As for getting back to their roots...ain't gonna happen. Black album was amazingly 16 yrs ago (damn I'm old. I remember driving 30 miles to buy it in Lake George on my vaca). Since then, I think that Load rocked, Re-load sucked, and I can't even comment on St. Anger. I was psyched after hearing the title track, and then pissed after buying the album. Could not have been worse. Only tune off the new one I've heard is Cyanide. Not impressed. Hopefully the rest of the album is a hell of a lot better, or else I think it's time to put a fork in possibly the greatest metal band of all time. At least they announced a tour later this year. Can't wait to see them again! Youtube has videos of the new song from Ozzfest last week, for anyone interested.