I must admit, I do understand the point in which you’re coming from. I can’t sit here and say that I’m right and people shouldn’t hate Metallica. But what I can do is attempt to explain why people are bias against Metallica.
What I meant by “fair” judgment is that even though their past consists of 4 worse rock albums, no one seems to consider the 4 amazing metal albums. If someone is to judge based upon the past they should take in all considerations, not just the negative. I know that since the last 4 albums were the worse rock albums it suggests that this album will just be the same but they’ve surprised us in a negative way before, they could surprise us again.
And I do not find the writing in the last four albums to be poor. Though I do not think the songs overall are amazing, the specific details within the songs suggest good songwriting. The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, Wherever I Might Roam, Bleeding Me, The Outlaw Torn, and The Unforgiven II all suggest that of a more compositional rock song. Though I know that on the likes of this site those songs are laughed at, but one must remain open-minded and i do not, in any way whatsoever, associate them with metal.
I’m not on a crusade, I understand that there will always be people who disagree with me. I simply think that my view on the topic is something that most have never seen or considered. None the less, I still remain hopeful. Though I’m sure I will be put down, maybe not horribly.