Relentlessly slap the ball around while doing your damndest not to let it go down the drain hole.....so to speak

Smash coffin block or (Newton ball if it's been changed out) for an extra ball. A lot of deflections to the right end up in snakes mouth which is also a good thing! It's a fast brutal game which you'll
Have many quick games but then a nice run, either way congrats it's a great game and your gonna love it!

Your buddy is not far off - focus on dead bouncing and hitting Sparky from the left flipper, recover the ball and then hit him again!

Once you're in multiball, try to finish the pick standups early during the ball save time and then hit the snake for 2x scoring, add-a-ball, and an extra ball saver for a bit. Wail on Sparky more during 2x scoring for tons of points. Getting that 2x scoring going along with a jackpot or two will put you into decent score territory!

Next up is getting to Crank It Up reliably, lots of strategy there and a ton of potential for blow-up scores.

Crank It Up is lit at the scoop after collecting 15(default setting) of each of the four items - snake, gravemarker, coffin, and electric chair. Hitting either the major shot for that item or a lane with the snake/gravemarker/coffin lit will award an item. You can also earn items through mystery awards. You have enough of that item when the insert in the center of the playfield is lit solid. Hold both flippers to see the status display with a list of the items you need and the number of hits to the next multiball(s).

Check out http://tiltforums.com/t/metallica-wiki-rulesheet/228 for a general overview of the rules.