The metal rumor mill and blogosphere are awash with news of the new Metallica album, untitled and tentatively due out this spring. For older, true Metallica fans, this album, according the Las Ulrich, Metallica's drummer, is a return to the "Master of Puppets" days. Lars went on to say that songs would be longer and more melodic than they have been on previous Metallica albums (Examiner.com).

Speaking as an old Metallica fan (I bought "Ride The Lightning" on vinyl when it first appeared on the shelves) who totally hated "St. Anger", this is welcome news. "St. Anger" was a horrific cacophony of alt-metal that was as far away from Metallica's garage metal days as they could get. A return to their metal roots was what was needed. Producer Rick Rubin, who replaces the Bob Rock on the new album, allows Metallica to create and recreate their own sound without any undue interference.

Let's hope so. We haven't had a really good Metallica album since the black album, which, for true metalhead Metallica fans, was the beginning of the alt-metal, more pop sounding slide Metallica has been on for over a decade. For more Metallica news, go to www.Metallica.com.