If the musical elements are a distraction, should we re-evaluate our priorities? It sounds like we're practicing to be technicians rather than musicians.
There's a difference.
I see your point, but I was referring to certain circumstances where I'm trying to work out a certain section of a song that I'm just not getting by playing with the music. Sometimes I really just need to focus on the technical aspect of it. Also, some things really need to be worked on at a slow speed, and at very low speeds its no longer music.
I like to sometimes apply a little Michael Jordan philosophy to guitar playing. When he practiced, his routines were very rigid, but on the court during the game, he was the most graceful player that ever played the game.
I'm not trying to discredit your perspective, because I agree with you. But ultimately if you want to play metal, you have to be a little technical with your playing and practicing, simply because much of metal is technical. Now I'm a blues/rock/metal guy and the only time I really bring out the metronome is when I start working on scales or metal stuff.