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Metallica and Bob Rock Part Company

Posted by Crazy Metal

METALLICA, the Grammy-award winning heavy metal band that just added a documentary to their roster of accomplishments, have announced that they are parting ways with long-time Canadian producer Bob Rock.

“As grateful as we are to Bob for all he's done for us since 1991, we feel it's time to move on,” said drummer and spokesman for the band Lars Ulrich.

Metallica felt the need to reassure fans that despite the timing, this was not an April Fool's gag.

“Kirk Hammett, guitarist, was the one who mentioned, people are going to think this is an April Fool's joke,” said James Hetfield, singer/guitarist. “But we can assure you, it was just a coincidence. We've been thinking about this for some time now, and it's just the way things have panned out.”

Metallica united with Bob Rock for the 1991 self-titled album, universally called “The Black Album”. It was a move that led to many long-time fans turning their backs on the band, while the better sound, simpler song structures and greater commercial acceptance led to a generation of younger fans who had never heard Metallica propelled the foursome to international dominance.

The subsequent tour for The Black Album lasted three years. Rock has since worked with Metallica on every studio release, leading many fans and music critics to believe he is single handedly responsible for the commercialization and “selling out” of the band.

Under Rock's tutleage, the band have released The Black Album, Load, Reload, Garage Inc, S&M and most recently St. Anger.

Rock, who also had production credits for Aerosmith, Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, was unavailable for comment. Metallica have not speculated on who, if anyone, would be taking over as producer, although many fans are hopeful that Flemming Rasmunssen, who was responsible for the Master of Puppets and …And Justice For All releases, will return to the studio to work with the group.