Being a HUGE Metallica fan, I own every album to date and can agree and disagree with some points upon my views.
Cutting the hair nither was bad or good, As Frazer Stated metal isn't about hair; This isn't Alice Cooper or any of those bands this is Metallica, The Gods of Trash Metal; Judis Preist, Ozzy Ousbourn, Black Sabbath, They could cut their hair and still be legends.
Its good that they gave up the old 80's hair look, They arn't the youngsters they used to be.
Metal is about kicking major ass, banging heads and rising absolute hell on earth. (In a good way.)
The hair doesn't play the music, They do.
Metallica are legends, And I agree with most when I say its about rime they entered the Hall of Fame- Among the others they deserve it.
So cutting the hair, isn't really a thing people should make a fuss over-They are a great band.