I thought I would never stop following Metallica religiously. I was a die hard fan from Kill Em All, and No Life Till Leather. I grew up on them.
But, as far as I'm concerned, they've never been the same since they affiliated with Bob Rock. They even could have weathered the passing of Cliff Burton, and would have thrived with Jason Newstead if they had given him half a chance. They've made plenty of mistakes, and they were mostly due to Lars' poor decision making, IMO.
I guess they could make a comeback, so to speak, but until they do, they are but a shell of what they once were.