I came here to comment on Hammett's soloing on this album and you guys are talking about it!
I have not been known to bash Kirk, I think I never complained about him and I find people who do as funny as the people who complain about Lars, cause to me Metallica is not about musicianship, it's about a vibe. That's why I still prefer Newsted to Trujillo, "but Trujillo is a better bass player", doesn't mean shit to me, this isn't Dream Theater.
HOWEVER, Hammett really blew it this time, he put minimal thought and effort into his solos on this album IMO, seems like he couldn't spare any fucks here. I'm calling the solos on this album "portable", these solos can practically be moved and exchanged between all the songs on this album and it won't matter, they all sound the same, they all go towards the same ups and downs and they all feel so uninspired and forced. Very disappointing on Hetfield and Ulrich as well that they didn't press him into doing better.