You will either love this album or hate it!
Even as a die-hard Metallica fan, I read the other reviews on Play.com before purchasing, and after listening to the album a few times I really agree with each and every one of them (good and bad). As always, the musical depth you would expect from Metallica is all there, and there is a huge juxtaposition between this and the disturbing, but compelling lyrics delivered by Lou Reed. I thought this worked well, but can certainly understand it is a matter of taste.
This is not an ablum you can just listen to casually. It will challenge you as a listener - especially if you try to take on board the lyrics - which are shocking at times. However, anything worth having is worth working for and I think this album really delivers the rewards.
Lou Reed doesn't so much sing but narrate a story, and if you approach this album with an open mind and take it as a piece of art (if that doesn't sound too pretentious), then you are in for a treat. Enjoy!