Just got back from Daniel's, great hospitality as always, thanks mate!
Now for the game......
I'm not a big Stern fan, and one of my biggest gripes is the photoshopped "artwork" that has become their mainstay. Pinball until the 2000's was very much a place for pop art, and Stern let this tradition fall to the wayside. Probably as much due to their focus on movie themes I suppose.
Well Metallica turns back the clock and delivers a brilliant art package, absolutely wonderful artwork in my opinion - well done Stern!! 
Such a difference to AC/DC which is unnecessarily ugly IMO....
As for game play, I definately was not on my game tonight, and with four players games it was hard to get into as much as I would have liked. I might let KTM450 write a bit about it, because he managed some great balls and set some scores that Dan might have to eliminate with a software update..... But my impressions were extremely positive. The game did not seem to suffer with the overly long ball times that I dislike in many Stern games, and played fast and furious (which I **do** like). The lighting effects are terrific, the music is great, overall this game seems a real winner.
At the risk of being labeled a WMS fanboi, I will say (and this is meant as very much a compliment)- this game has a strong WMS feel in a lot of ways - solid fast gameplay, a real blast to play.
Well done Daniel, I think you've got a keeper there mate!!
AC/DC had a similar feel when I played my first few games. It felt like I was playing a Bally / Williams - it felt THAT GOOD. But then again, I LOVE C.S.I. - I think that is a very underrated machine, and it plays nothing like a B/W. Glad to hear the good reports on Stern's latest games.
