I was having that really tired argument with someone on twitter last night. You know the one.
" Bob Rock ruined Metallica ! He made them go commercial ! "
That's why the demoes for the Black Album existed pretty much as they appear on the finished album BEFORE Bob Rock came on board
AND
Bob Rock said in an interview that he wasn't allowed to suggest arrangement ideas - he could only suggest tempos
AND
It's f---ing Hetfield and Ulrich. Does anyone really think that anything happens in Metallica without their consent ? If so - you don't know how much they control the band.
Same with St. Anger. Some people actually think the production was 100% Bob's "fault" and James and Lars just stood silent in a corner shuffling their feet going
" Yes Bob. No Bob.
"
AND
They heard the Motley Crue album Bob produced and said " we want it to sound like that ".