What you guys don't understand is that TRUE artists grow and evolve. If your art is standing still then I will argue that you aren't an artist. An artist also takes chances and puts their heart and soul on the line for all to see and criticize. I would never expect a band that's been in the scene for decades to remain the same throughout their career.

Remember, the goal of art is to extract emotion from the viewer/listener, whether it's positive or negative emotion. If the viewer/listener is indifferent about the piece than the artist didn't do his job.

You guys don't like their newer stuff and that's cool. But, to call Metallica sell outs is small minded. You obviously don't understand what art is. Art is the marriage of creative thought and technical skill. The better of each and the better the art.

As far as the money goes, when is the last time you worked for free (hobbies and private businesses don't count). Do you go into work and tell your boss that because you really like your job you don't want to be paid for it? I highly doubt it. If Metallic can get paid then more power to them. They need to take advantage of the payday now because it probably won't last. What's wrong with that? Would you deny Metallic from collecting what the market says they can for their services?