Despite the grief shared by remaining members of the band, there is no doubt that Metallica will carry on. Weeks later, a new bassist is found in Jason Newsted. Metallica returns from Europe to play the gigs postponed after Cliff's death. In the summer, Metallica plays the Donington Festival, warming up with a gig at London's 100 Club. Come musically redundant.
Sales go through the roof, etc.
Metallica embarks on a world tour, including 120 arena gigs in the U.S. alone. The album was produced by Bob Rock, know for his work with Bon Jovi. The rock community behaves as if this were the single most important and telling event in Metallica's decade-long career. Needless to say, it's not. There's been this mass hysteria over nothing.