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[south_trendkill]

PRESS RELEASE
APRIL 1, 2005

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.

[Hogisbald]

Good! Bob Rock made an arse of St Anger

[Mordred]

What a load of Bollocks you should have posted that yesterday

[Mouse]

Does this mean we are getting a new album, or will we have to wait 6 years?

[Tav]

I think that's shite...he's part of the band practically.

[Hogisbald]

it is rather suspicious that they "had" to announce this on April1st

[Mordred]

They didn't announce this it's bullshit.

Its not on there official website

[Hogisbald]

thats a shame

[Rach_69]

Originally Posted by Hog

thats a shame

about it maybe not being true? yes..... i do agree.... hehe

[Rachie]

It's not on the website, it's not on the news pages on Google...

There is however (from March 21st)

METALLICA fans have launched a new campaign, urging members of the band to ditch their longtime producer BOB ROCK.

The fans have set up an online petition in their efforts to have Rock removed from the band's future work, citing the music man as a mismatch with the metal veterans.

A portion of the petition reads, "We, the longtime loyal fans and friends of Metallica and their music... know it will be a hard thing to do, but we feel it is time to sever your working relationship with Bob Rock.

"Don't get us wrong, some of us like a few (very few) contributions Bob Rock has made to Metallica. Unfortunately one thing we can all agree on is nothing has been the same since he joined the ranks as longtime Metallica producer.

"We are not criticizing Bob Rock on his technical skills as he has mastered his sound. We just feel that his contributions to help craft a Metallica song are quite wrong and have been getting worse as time goes on...

"We are excited to hear the next studio album with the addition of masterful bassist ROBERT TRUJILLO... All we ask is you take our suggestion seriously for the sake of the band and your fans. Please end your working relationship with Bob Rock as producer and let's enter into a new phase for Metallica."