Let's go through Metallica albums one by one and see who actually sings more off tone notes, James or Lou. In all fairness through, and to not seem like a total dick, there is an element of theater in the singing of each that fans enjoy.
Lou's done this kind of stuff before. He did a concept album/musical play with John Cale back about ten years that's sounds a lot like this. Yes, Pol, what it lacks in substance, it certainly makes up for in guys trying to look really really cool doing it. But overall it is something different and maybe the frivolous novelty is just what does it for me in this case.
But when we're going to start putting Anthony Jackson and Simon Phillips up against Lars and Bob hey you know what can you say. This is the reality of playing music professionally, and to me there is quite a bit of tragedy in the fact that most people if asked would see the latter as somehow better than the former. There is still an art to just making great music, (or writing a good theater piece.) and most of these hacks in the public eye just ain't doing it. And before people get my tail. I have probably listened to more Lou reed, Iggy Pop, Metallica, Bon Jovi or Poison than most people who listened to that music have listened to the music that I really enjoy.
But people may not know that Lars actually auditioned for Dream Theater. He lay down his money beat with fierce abandon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjlKPTfCpPc