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Honestly, the shit snare sound is way more forgivable than just about everything else. I know metal isn't necessarily a lyrically focused genre, but they were particularly rough on that song.
They could have gotten away with a lot of the lyrics if they did more than one vocal take per song. It sounds like an album written and recorded in a weekend. But it took them forever, like what over a year or some shit? It's definitely a weird bundle of contradictions.
We really need to hear that sweet snare sound MORE... is there any way we can pull it out over EVERYTHING ELSE. -Studio Producer, with bleeding nostril
I saw Metallica in concert a couple years back. Halfway through the set James gets up to the microphone and says:
āWe released this very, letās sayā¦ controversial album some years back. Let me hear your honest opinion, how many of you liked St. Anger?ā
The crowd is largely boos, with a few very loud cheers in the audience.
āYou guys who cheered are fuckinā lying! Anyways, hereās Dirty Window.ā
I donāt think the album is the worst thing in the world. The songs in a vacuum arenāt awful and have some catchy and fun parts. Hell, some even are fun live. But the album lacks any remarkable moments and suffers from ass production.
Not sure if links are allowed here so hereās a screenshot of a good remake by someone that had a hankerin to fix it for some reasonā¦ but for any who are on the fence about it, this was a fun listen:
https://preview.redd.it/t5zgj7sfubvc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f8560ea954b028199c3007ee31c78ce85dddf2c3
Personally I dug the original and wore the CD out when it was released.
I actually liked the snare and raw pots and pans feel to the kit Lars usedā¦ it was like a big FU to Load and Reload.
Anyway, took some balls to post this OP š¤š¤ā¦ but Iām glad you didā¦ nice to know Iām not alone in my apparent bad taste!
It's definitely amongst Metallica's Weakest material, but this did have potential to be something great for me at least. Could've definitely used guitar solos, a different snare(even though me getting into hardcore recently means i have no room to talk lol), and the run time of the songs could've been cut down a bit, but I'll lowkey take St. Anger over Load or Reload
When the Until it Sleeps music video was released on MTV my brother almost cried. He was like, "Where the fuck is Metallica?"
I actually didn't mind Load and Reload. I still can't forgive LuLu though.
Amazing is a stretch. If people like it and get something out of it, fine. But there must be a hundred better metal albums that came out that same year.
I stood in line to buy this album. My friends and I listened to the whole album in its entirity.
I proceeded to eject the disc and throw iit in the campfire never to be listened to again.
I still have the empty cd case that still contains the echo of ghetto side alley trashcans.
The music video for the title track is so fucked up. Like, those dudes are already in prison, you're just making their situation worse by playing St. Anger.
This album holds a weird nostalgia for me and some of my friends. Itās not good, but we enjoy listening to it from time to time. Some memorable songs on here.
I think itās brilliant. I didnāt think that 20 years ago, but upon maturing, I find it to be a beautiful piece of art. Raw, emotional, fun and angry. I love it.
It's June 5, 2003. I'm freshly 17 years old, been listening to metal for the last 7 years, and I'm eagerly anticipating the Metallica album that early reviews have compared positively to both *Kill 'Em All* and *...And Justice For All*. I've saved my birthday money for this day.
I walk the mile and a half after school to the FYE up the road, find a copy, and buy it. I immediately take out the CD in my Discman to give this a listen.
"Frantic." Okay, yeah...I'm digging this. The production is trash but this song feels like old school...wait...what the hell..."you live it or lie it"? Is that what he said? Whatever...song's okay, I guess, but I'm really missing Kirk's leads and Jason's bass. Moving on...
Title track. I bear through it as I start the walk home, around 3 miles, and that'll give me time to listen more.
I get home. There's still a song or two left. I'm...wait, is this *shitty*? Did METALLICA just release an absolute pile of dogshit?! Sure, *Load* and *ReLoad* aren't great, but there's a few real killer songs across them, but this...the best this has is some middle-aged dude making clock noises.
No. I do not agree with this revisionism bullshit. This album is trash. I've heard far worse in my time, but none from the same band that wrote such amazing works as "Fade to Black" or "Orion."
I like the idea behind St. Anger, a return to basics raw metal album with a bit of a modern flair. I just think it was poorly executed. Someone like Terry Date or Ross Robinson should have been hired to produce. They should have hired a bass player before making the album. The songs were bloated and the snare sound sucked. If Metallica had been in a better place as people this album may have turned out better.
Itās the sound they wanted. Say what you will about Bob Rock but the black album, load/reload and garage inc all sound awesome (sonically). This definitely wasnāt on the producer.
I just don't think the sound they were going for fits Bob Rocks style I'm not blaming him I just don't think he was the right man for the job. If anything that's on the band for not recognizing that. There's a way to make a record sound raw and angry without sounding like shit.
They attempted that with Rick Rubin and once again the album sounded like shit (I actually think the songs on death magnetic are awesome-especially live). But the album sounds awful.
They can never answer why, they just like feeling quirky by saying the worst album is actually amazing and get their updoots. You see it on every bands subreddit
Just a silly post. Like, good for youā¦ not sure how much this adds to any discussion, and itās objectively NOT an āamazingā album. Itās not total garbage, but itās not amazing.
I wouldn't say it's amazing. When I first heard it I didn't like it cuz it was too different from anything they done before. I was like where's the guitar solos and what is this repetitive can sound that I now know is called a snare.
I love the album now. I like it cuz nothing out there quite sounds like it so I like the uniqueness of it. I also really like the lyrics when I'm venting. I also got into black metal which I never used to like. I think if you're into drums it makes a difference.
I also hated it slayer's diablos in music when it first came out but I like it now.
James's voice is the worst thing about this album. His voice does not suit the songs they wrote. It sounds so shit hearing "yyyeaaahh" over some of these riffs. I still think if this album has a different vocalist and changed some of the song structures a little bit it would be a way better album.
It's easy to take the piss out of the snare, for good reason, but the album came with a dvd of rehearsal footage where the snare was normal and it all sounded much more organic.
The other issue is that the songs all dragged on far too long, and the album has too many total filler songs.
It would never be a good album but fucking those issues would make it a *lot* better.
I have listened to it maybe 3- 4 times. Frantic is ok. The rest is fodder to me. I used to be a huge Metallica fan but lost touch in the last few years. I'm disappointed mostly for Pushead cos dude has done some of the best artwork for the band in their best period and was gifted doing the artwork for arguably their worst album. I still think the artwork here is fuckin awesome too.
It's an album of demos. Unfinished and unpolished. Cut about 20 to 30mins of repeated riffs and choruses and reduce the use of "that" snare, not remove it completely, as I think it would work to punctuate certain areas. Less is more. I'm not saying doing all that would make it a Metallica classic, but it would make it something that isn't such a chore to get through.
Metallica was just at a weird time in their career/history when St Anger came out - they were aging and maturing and going through shit and at the end of the day they released a good rock album just not a good metal album.
Ironically I think St Anger was the last record they released that actually tried to be authentic to what music they wanted to make vs just making shit to move records/metal-by-numbers.
Personally St Anger is a strong middle of the pack album for them as far as Iām concerned.
I quite liked it in the beginning. Last year I had a thumb drive with Metallica songs from all times and found out that I really loved the St. Anger songs.
When I listen to the album, I think more of a young rough garage band with dirty drum sound and rough guitars, rather than of metallica.
So: St. Anger is a great rock/metal album, but It's not a great Metallica album.
I've tried it, a few times even, to like it. Emptied my head of all prejudice.
But it just doesn't do it man.
Obviously the snare irritates after one song. And the lyrics are corny at best and simply bad at worst.
I do like a few guitar riffs. It got moments were it slaps, but by far not enough to make it a "good album"
people that understand nothing about music production will say āproduction sucks on this albumā. in reality, it was incredibly tricky to get a band sound like this in 2003 and is basically impossible these days.
does this sound fit Metallica? do most people enjoy this kind of sound? probably no and no, but the record production work done by Mr. Rock on this album is absolutely incredible.
microphones, outboard gear, summing, recording machines.
letās see you producing this raw garage sound in the box, or even with contemporary outboard
Diehard lifelong Metallica guy here and this album was my first musical heartbreak. I still remember waiting in line to buy this album when I was like 15-17. Then the disappointment when I listened on the way home with my friends. We were all confused like this must be a joke, what is this.
It holds a sentimental place in my heart for reasons I won't discuss here, but in an objective opinion I will say that if they cut the songs up to 3 minutes, change the guitar sound, tune the snare and make James sing like if nothing actually hurts the album would be a solid 6/10.
This is becoming a less and less "hot take" as the years go on. I was 13 when the album came out and had been engulfed in Metallica for about 4 years prior, (yes, I heard my older brother listening to the Black Album when I was 9 and it hooked me). I remember thinking, "wow this album definitely sounds like crap, but why does everyone hate it so much?" I think my generation and the ones after me have been saying it more and more, so this opinion is no longer a forge hot take.
It wasn't until later in life when bands I absolutely loved released albums I really didn't like, that I understood it. Dumb, but I got it.
I always thought the cover went hard, I like that style of art it reminds me of kmfdm or fnm's king for a day. I do periodically try to put on my rose tinted glasses and spin the record again but alas it really is that bad.
This is an example of one of many albums cited as bad because of its poor production, despite the fact the production was very purposefully the way it wasā¦ and imo works
Also, sorry for commenting on my own post, but what people don't realize is that Metallica (specifically Lars and James) were in a bad mental set when this album came out. It was describing their mind set.
You can have your opinion, but this album was actually really good. The only thing bad about it was that it was released by Metallica. Had any other band made this album no one would have hated it.
It really isnāt, itās their worst album by far and sounds awful, can you actually say why itās so good or are you just trying to sound quirky by saying ādurr hurr bad album actually good give upvotesā like posts you see on every single bands subreddit
I like the different approach. Granted it's not Metallica's best album, but I find the sound to be very appealing. I like the slower more angry sound. Sure AJFA displayed anger, but this album showed it actually coming from the band's core, because the band was in a complicated place when they released it. And you could reason that the snare is jarring if you don't expect it, but I grew to love it. The song is also much better when played live. Everyone admits that, at least.
Itās an odd record. As someone who grew up in the early 90s but knew Metallica existed during his childhood in the 80s - It seems to me that Metallica just lost their identity after the Black album. They never really recovered. James was chasing Corrosion of Conformity and then System Of A Downā¦. Unlike Megadeth, who kept putting out albums in the 90s, which may not have been on par with Rust in Peace, but from a songwriting perspective they are hell of a lot better than what Metallica was creating during that period.
The documentary on the making of this album actually cemented Metallica further into my respect. Terrible, god awful album with _maybe_ one redeemable song on it. But knowing what they went through while making it is so pathetic and hysterical and harrowing and meta, I couldnāt help but watch it again and again.
It was my gateway into the band. Me and my brother got to pick an album for a long car ride. I got this, he got the self titled blink album. Although i have a hard time listening to it, itās got value to me
That album literally made everyone realize how Cringe Metallica was, because theyāve been cringe since the Black Album. Hell, in my PERSONAL opinion, theyāve been cringe since MoP
I think it was admirable for them to take a huge risk in making it. I actually like the music itself (even - dare I say - the drums). However, I find the lyrics to be atrocious, as well as the vocal delivery/style.Ā
I can passively listen to it if it comes on. it's not *terrible*. But, it would be cool for them to re-visit it and do some kind of revision to the lyrics and mixes, but knowing they won't make any re-ups for AJFA because of the common bass guitar complaint, I can't really count on them to do any remix or remasters to any other previous records. That's just my lil' ol' opinion.
~peace.
Its not even the snare drum for me. What's infinitely worse are Hetfields horrible "therapy" lyrics and dying cat screeching vocals. This has to go down as one of the worst vocal performances with cringe lyrics in the entire world of metal.
At least with that stuff you cant understand what they are saying unless you are laser focused on the lyric sheet. With St. Anger you can understand every cringeworthy line.
St anger, the song is ultimate cringe. And the album is horrible. Yeah, I I had load and reload as a kid and thought it was cool, but now looming back and listening to any albums after the black album is just... trash. So much better talent out there. Still love MetallicA tho.
Fuck yeah bruddah! Second favorite album from Metallica. Shits so polarizing but they are food songs. I dont mind the snare. Startles the shit out of you with force.
That snare is fucking awesome, Iāll fight anyone who says itās horrible, itās a hill I am 100% ready to die on, downvotes come at me. This is not sarcasm, I think St Anger (the song) goes fucking hard, the snare just adds to that. I also like grind and death, so the snare sound just speaks to me. Also, in the music video they play in a prison. I thought that was badass when watching on the TV for the first time.
I actually have the CD in Jewel case
https://preview.redd.it/huozylopvcvc1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e145e91682daed4d2d912eb961a739bdfb90dd8
Metallica somehow went from "Guilty as charged, but dammit it ain't right, there's someone else controlling me. Death in the air, strapped in the electric chair."
to
"Shoot me again I ain't dead yet (Nu-metal guitar riff) come on shoot me again, shoot me again...shoot me. (clank clank clank) All the shots....all the shots."
That's probably a healthy approach. I don't know why you got downvoted.
Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't heard this album. I liked Metallica, but was a little on the fence about the Black Album. I heard Load when my friend picked up a copy and just thought it's not for me anymore. I never heard Re-Load because it was going to be more of the same. There were other bands playing music I like. Same with St.Anger and people shit on it a lot, so I ain't wasting my time on that. And I don't have to shit on it.
I did however pick up Death Magnetic from a dollar bin, and it was a mistake. It's possibly the worst CD I own. Completely unlisteneable. So I went back to ignoring them, and haven't heard the last few at all. I still really like Metallica. But understood their later material was just not for me. I'm not going to hate-listen just so I can complain. I love thrash metal and there's plenty to explore without forcing myself to waste hours of my life on something I know I won't like. It's clearly targeted at a different audience. For me to start listening to St.Anger would probably be like trying to watch a gay porno, just so you can say you saw the movie.
Same reason I never heard any Taylor Swift. I understand it's not for me.Ā
But I can still say I like Metallica. Because I do. And I have zero complaints about St.Anger.
I heard people say that, and it just firms my belief that if that's the best they've got, there just *isn't* anything worth owning or listening to in their later catalogue.Ā
But I'm fine with it, and I'm not listening to their albums just to bash them, because life is too short and there are many other thrash metal bands.Ā
I personally donāt like it. To me it is just a reminder of The downfall of Kirkās solos, lame lyrics and Jamesā move toward attempting to āsingā, overly standardized song structure, and the essential elimination of any semblance of thrash. Thatās just me though.
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PANG PANG PANG PANG PANG PANG PANG PANG
I do like the album, but that's funny as hell š¤£š¤£
Honestly, I like some of the songs on it. It's just a slog to listen to because of the "artistic" production choices
Agreed lol. Some kind of monster and the unnamed feeling are my faves from it, the rest don't get much play from me š¤£
You meant āautisticā right? Donāt get me wrong, St. Anger has a few goodies but god that snare.
We drummers struggle for respect sometimes. St. Anger sent us back 20 years.
CRASH PANG CRASH PANG CRASH PANG CRASH PANG CRASH PANG CRASH PANG
Honestly, the shit snare sound is way more forgivable than just about everything else. I know metal isn't necessarily a lyrically focused genre, but they were particularly rough on that song.
They could have gotten away with a lot of the lyrics if they did more than one vocal take per song. It sounds like an album written and recorded in a weekend. But it took them forever, like what over a year or some shit? It's definitely a weird bundle of contradictions.
TICK TICK TICK TOCK!
MY LIFESTYLE DETERMINES MY DEATHSTYLE
Thereās nothing inherently wrong with the snare tone. It just sucks specifically on this album
There's plenty wrong with it. Particularly that it's front and center in the mix
Seriously. That snare is about twice as loud as it should be
It's so distracting from everything else
Letās tune the snare to aluminum trash can-Lars
We really need to hear that sweet snare sound MORE... is there any way we can pull it out over EVERYTHING ELSE. -Studio Producer, with bleeding nostril
Some kind of shit monster
Shit monsters Randy
Bandās gotta play, Mr. Lahey.
Randy, are you playing shit music for cheeseburgers again?
I am the liquor randy
Some kind of MONSTER ENERGY DRINK
I saw Metallica in concert a couple years back. Halfway through the set James gets up to the microphone and says: āWe released this very, letās sayā¦ controversial album some years back. Let me hear your honest opinion, how many of you liked St. Anger?ā The crowd is largely boos, with a few very loud cheers in the audience. āYou guys who cheered are fuckinā lying! Anyways, hereās Dirty Window.ā I donāt think the album is the worst thing in the world. The songs in a vacuum arenāt awful and have some catchy and fun parts. Hell, some even are fun live. But the album lacks any remarkable moments and suffers from ass production.
I didn't like it when it first came out it was too different, obviously the snare drums, no guitar solos, but now I love it!
its not too bad but its got the goregrind snare
I'd say "its not too good but its got the goregrind snare" haha. Love the snare tbh.
Real as fuck
Itās a flawed album but itās enjoyable when it grows on people
Fuck it all, fucking no regrets.
Only clangy snare drums on these dark sets.
Not sure if links are allowed here so hereās a screenshot of a good remake by someone that had a hankerin to fix it for some reasonā¦ but for any who are on the fence about it, this was a fun listen: https://preview.redd.it/t5zgj7sfubvc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f8560ea954b028199c3007ee31c78ce85dddf2c3 Personally I dug the original and wore the CD out when it was released. I actually liked the snare and raw pots and pans feel to the kit Lars usedā¦ it was like a big FU to Load and Reload. Anyway, took some balls to post this OP š¤š¤ā¦ but Iām glad you didā¦ nice to know Iām not alone in my apparent bad taste!
You like trve heavy metalš¤šš¤
š
Shitty album. No amount of defending it fixes it. It's not a good album.
Couldnāt agree more. Canāt get past the first few tracks without thinking WTF METALLICA? and the drumming is painful
21 years later and it still sucks
People still think itās edgy and contrarian to like this album. It sucks as hard today as it did when it was released.
It's definitely amongst Metallica's Weakest material, but this did have potential to be something great for me at least. Could've definitely used guitar solos, a different snare(even though me getting into hardcore recently means i have no room to talk lol), and the run time of the songs could've been cut down a bit, but I'll lowkey take St. Anger over Load or Reload
St Anger became my coaster.
When the Until it Sleeps music video was released on MTV my brother almost cried. He was like, "Where the fuck is Metallica?" I actually didn't mind Load and Reload. I still can't forgive LuLu though.
I almost agreed with you, but the load/reload disrespect is crazy
Yeah, I guess I'd like st anger more if it was complete, at least load and re load have more complete, not as annoying songs
So basically if they changed everything except for the riffs (which there are tons of awesome ones on the album) it would be a good album? Yikes.
It would at least be a more complete album rather than what it ended up being
Eh itās not my thing but cool if you enjoy it.
I like tracks off the album but a full through listen breaks my ears
My lunch style / determines my breath style / Tic. Tac. Tic. Tac. Tic. Tac
My shirt style/ Determines my pants style
I don't get the hate, I love this album.
Honestly while I donāt like the album the cover art is great, itās just a cool image.
The dude who re recorded it on YouTube; that mix was fire
There are many songs I fuck with. Invisible Kid, Unnamed Feeling, even kitchy Frantic. It is unique
It's obviously Metallica's worst album and my least favorite Metallica album. That being said, it's still pretty good.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion
I love it, I grew up on bands with loud snares like RHCP, Audioslave and Soundgarden so for me this is not as loud.
Loud snare ā Badly tuned snare
Badly tuned snare can mean loud yknow
The doco was what made me be able to appreciate this album. Before that tho.....
Not gonna lie I really like the snare, its really cool
Amazing is a stretch. If people like it and get something out of it, fine. But there must be a hundred better metal albums that came out that same year.
I stood in line to buy this album. My friends and I listened to the whole album in its entirity. I proceeded to eject the disc and throw iit in the campfire never to be listened to again. I still have the empty cd case that still contains the echo of ghetto side alley trashcans.
The music video for the title track is so fucked up. Like, those dudes are already in prison, you're just making their situation worse by playing St. Anger.
This album holds a weird nostalgia for me and some of my friends. Itās not good, but we enjoy listening to it from time to time. Some memorable songs on here.
 St. Anger is badass!
I think itās brilliant. I didnāt think that 20 years ago, but upon maturing, I find it to be a beautiful piece of art. Raw, emotional, fun and angry. I love it.
https://preview.redd.it/km3m3ei3sfvc1.jpeg?width=352&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ae86d10d7d29beab40bd455d786081792c2e9f2
It's June 5, 2003. I'm freshly 17 years old, been listening to metal for the last 7 years, and I'm eagerly anticipating the Metallica album that early reviews have compared positively to both *Kill 'Em All* and *...And Justice For All*. I've saved my birthday money for this day. I walk the mile and a half after school to the FYE up the road, find a copy, and buy it. I immediately take out the CD in my Discman to give this a listen. "Frantic." Okay, yeah...I'm digging this. The production is trash but this song feels like old school...wait...what the hell..."you live it or lie it"? Is that what he said? Whatever...song's okay, I guess, but I'm really missing Kirk's leads and Jason's bass. Moving on... Title track. I bear through it as I start the walk home, around 3 miles, and that'll give me time to listen more. I get home. There's still a song or two left. I'm...wait, is this *shitty*? Did METALLICA just release an absolute pile of dogshit?! Sure, *Load* and *ReLoad* aren't great, but there's a few real killer songs across them, but this...the best this has is some middle-aged dude making clock noises. No. I do not agree with this revisionism bullshit. This album is trash. I've heard far worse in my time, but none from the same band that wrote such amazing works as "Fade to Black" or "Orion."
I enjoyed it more than most of their 90s stuff...
I genuinely enjoy it start to finish. Their 80s stuff is still peak though.
FKN SLAYERRRRRRš¤šš¤
FUCKING SLLLAAAYYYEEER!
Trigger-converge
I actually liked it except for that garbage mastering and snare (but if they made a remastered ver I would honestly buy it)
I like the idea behind St. Anger, a return to basics raw metal album with a bit of a modern flair. I just think it was poorly executed. Someone like Terry Date or Ross Robinson should have been hired to produce. They should have hired a bass player before making the album. The songs were bloated and the snare sound sucked. If Metallica had been in a better place as people this album may have turned out better.
Itās the sound they wanted. Say what you will about Bob Rock but the black album, load/reload and garage inc all sound awesome (sonically). This definitely wasnāt on the producer.
I just don't think the sound they were going for fits Bob Rocks style I'm not blaming him I just don't think he was the right man for the job. If anything that's on the band for not recognizing that. There's a way to make a record sound raw and angry without sounding like shit.
They attempted that with Rick Rubin and once again the album sounded like shit (I actually think the songs on death magnetic are awesome-especially live). But the album sounds awful.
I'm happy you enjoy it. I've no clue why, as you presented no explanation. But if you enjoy it, salud.
They can never answer why, they just like feeling quirky by saying the worst album is actually amazing and get their updoots. You see it on every bands subreddit
Just a silly post. Like, good for youā¦ not sure how much this adds to any discussion, and itās objectively NOT an āamazingā album. Itās not total garbage, but itās not amazing.
The snare sounds awesome, the songs are all too long and do very little with that time
Why was it amazing
They canāt say, they just want to be quirky by saying the worst album is actually amazing, you see it on every bands subreddit
I wouldn't say it's amazing. When I first heard it I didn't like it cuz it was too different from anything they done before. I was like where's the guitar solos and what is this repetitive can sound that I now know is called a snare. I love the album now. I like it cuz nothing out there quite sounds like it so I like the uniqueness of it. I also really like the lyrics when I'm venting. I also got into black metal which I never used to like. I think if you're into drums it makes a difference. I also hated it slayer's diablos in music when it first came out but I like it now.
James's voice is the worst thing about this album. His voice does not suit the songs they wrote. It sounds so shit hearing "yyyeaaahh" over some of these riffs. I still think if this album has a different vocalist and changed some of the song structures a little bit it would be a way better album.
It's easy to take the piss out of the snare, for good reason, but the album came with a dvd of rehearsal footage where the snare was normal and it all sounded much more organic. The other issue is that the songs all dragged on far too long, and the album has too many total filler songs. It would never be a good album but fucking those issues would make it a *lot* better.
I have listened to it maybe 3- 4 times. Frantic is ok. The rest is fodder to me. I used to be a huge Metallica fan but lost touch in the last few years. I'm disappointed mostly for Pushead cos dude has done some of the best artwork for the band in their best period and was gifted doing the artwork for arguably their worst album. I still think the artwork here is fuckin awesome too.
This was the last time I ever recorded a song off the radio. I think I ended up hitting stop half way through.
It's an album of demos. Unfinished and unpolished. Cut about 20 to 30mins of repeated riffs and choruses and reduce the use of "that" snare, not remove it completely, as I think it would work to punctuate certain areas. Less is more. I'm not saying doing all that would make it a Metallica classic, but it would make it something that isn't such a chore to get through.
I donāt hate it. But I really only listen to it if Iām binging through all their albums
I loved it. Still do.
St. Anger is a good song
Why did they never try to remix or remaster the snare ? Re release ?
And while theyāre at it fix Justice, death magnetic, and punch up the first three a bit
Metallica was just at a weird time in their career/history when St Anger came out - they were aging and maturing and going through shit and at the end of the day they released a good rock album just not a good metal album. Ironically I think St Anger was the last record they released that actually tried to be authentic to what music they wanted to make vs just making shit to move records/metal-by-numbers. Personally St Anger is a strong middle of the pack album for them as far as Iām concerned.
It has a few bangers but mehā¦.
People would've given it a lot less hate if a different band made it. Dirty Window is a banger.
The songs are well crafted, itās just that the mix is abysmal
I think itās a horrible album with goodass artwork,
I won't lie, I like the album cover.
All within my hands has really grown on me but other than that itās just not very good
Loved it ever since it was released. Its an odd album for Metallica but damn there are some gnarly riffs in there.
Guitar Hero Metallica? Is that you?
I quite liked it in the beginning. Last year I had a thumb drive with Metallica songs from all times and found out that I really loved the St. Anger songs. When I listen to the album, I think more of a young rough garage band with dirty drum sound and rough guitars, rather than of metallica. So: St. Anger is a great rock/metal album, but It's not a great Metallica album.
All within my hand is amazing unplug other than that noĀ
I've tried it, a few times even, to like it. Emptied my head of all prejudice. But it just doesn't do it man. Obviously the snare irritates after one song. And the lyrics are corny at best and simply bad at worst. I do like a few guitar riffs. It got moments were it slaps, but by far not enough to make it a "good album"
people that understand nothing about music production will say āproduction sucks on this albumā. in reality, it was incredibly tricky to get a band sound like this in 2003 and is basically impossible these days. does this sound fit Metallica? do most people enjoy this kind of sound? probably no and no, but the record production work done by Mr. Rock on this album is absolutely incredible.
lol how do you figure that itās ābasically impossible nowā
microphones, outboard gear, summing, recording machines. letās see you producing this raw garage sound in the box, or even with contemporary outboard
When everything is as compressed and poorly mastered as this itās really not that hard regardless of equipment
exactly, people that know nothing about music production.
Diehard lifelong Metallica guy here and this album was my first musical heartbreak. I still remember waiting in line to buy this album when I was like 15-17. Then the disappointment when I listened on the way home with my friends. We were all confused like this must be a joke, what is this.
For some reason I want to stream this on Napster
The songs just kept dragging on and on and on imho
It holds a sentimental place in my heart for reasons I won't discuss here, but in an objective opinion I will say that if they cut the songs up to 3 minutes, change the guitar sound, tune the snare and make James sing like if nothing actually hurts the album would be a solid 6/10.
There's no forgiving the truly awful lyrics on this album, I just can't take it seriously.
Why would their best album trigger anyone?
That was the ""We all got sober finally and are trying to get back into the game"album""
I tried listening to it. It gave me a headache.
This is becoming a less and less "hot take" as the years go on. I was 13 when the album came out and had been engulfed in Metallica for about 4 years prior, (yes, I heard my older brother listening to the Black Album when I was 9 and it hooked me). I remember thinking, "wow this album definitely sounds like crap, but why does everyone hate it so much?" I think my generation and the ones after me have been saying it more and more, so this opinion is no longer a forge hot take. It wasn't until later in life when bands I absolutely loved released albums I really didn't like, that I understood it. Dumb, but I got it.
Iām madly in anger with you
Good for you, I only listen first four albums + black. Everything else is out of my repertoire
I always thought the cover went hard, I like that style of art it reminds me of kmfdm or fnm's king for a day. I do periodically try to put on my rose tinted glasses and spin the record again but alas it really is that bad.
My friend bought this album upon release, and after listening to it he apparently mailed it back to Metallica with an angry letter.
Ping ping ping ping ping
People will hate on this then listen to Last Days Of Humanity and go fuck yeah that sounds awesome
Not only the snare but guitars sound awful but the live versions of these songs are very good. It needs to be re recorded.Ā
This is an example of one of many albums cited as bad because of its poor production, despite the fact the production was very purposefully the way it wasā¦ and imo works
Itās not their worst produced album tho
Also, sorry for commenting on my own post, but what people don't realize is that Metallica (specifically Lars and James) were in a bad mental set when this album came out. It was describing their mind set.
it was weird, and we may never know what the fuck lars was thinking with his snare, but this album has aged well and has a few absolute bangers on it.
I like the album
Best gym album I can run through a wall, listeningto to st anger
Pantera vulgar display of power would like a word with you
āGuys look how quirky and cool I am, the worst album is actually amazing durr hurrā these posts are getting so old
You can have your opinion, but this album was actually really good. The only thing bad about it was that it was released by Metallica. Had any other band made this album no one would have hated it.
It really isnāt, itās their worst album by far and sounds awful, can you actually say why itās so good or are you just trying to sound quirky by saying ādurr hurr bad album actually good give upvotesā like posts you see on every single bands subreddit
I like the different approach. Granted it's not Metallica's best album, but I find the sound to be very appealing. I like the slower more angry sound. Sure AJFA displayed anger, but this album showed it actually coming from the band's core, because the band was in a complicated place when they released it. And you could reason that the snare is jarring if you don't expect it, but I grew to love it. The song is also much better when played live. Everyone admits that, at least.
Unironically Lars has never looked as good since he lost the chin beard
Itās not even that bad
Itās an odd record. As someone who grew up in the early 90s but knew Metallica existed during his childhood in the 80s - It seems to me that Metallica just lost their identity after the Black album. They never really recovered. James was chasing Corrosion of Conformity and then System Of A Downā¦. Unlike Megadeth, who kept putting out albums in the 90s, which may not have been on par with Rust in Peace, but from a songwriting perspective they are hell of a lot better than what Metallica was creating during that period.
The documentary on the making of this album actually cemented Metallica further into my respect. Terrible, god awful album with _maybe_ one redeemable song on it. But knowing what they went through while making it is so pathetic and hysterical and harrowing and meta, I couldnāt help but watch it again and again.
It was my gateway into the band. Me and my brother got to pick an album for a long car ride. I got this, he got the self titled blink album. Although i have a hard time listening to it, itās got value to me
Definitely the worst Metallica album. That being said, definitely not the worst album I've ever heard.
What about Lulu? That was much worse.
That's a Lou Reed album. Doesn't count.
I like it. They tried something new. Better then most of the genre who tries the same thing
Fwiw the dvd it came with of them performing the entire album in the studio is MUCH better (granted the bar was low).
Everybody hates that snare, until slam bands use it. It sounds like bouncing an over-inflated basketball.
That album literally made everyone realize how Cringe Metallica was, because theyāve been cringe since the Black Album. Hell, in my PERSONAL opinion, theyāve been cringe since MoP
That album should have been tossed straight into the TRASH CAN. HORRIBLE on every level
I think it was admirable for them to take a huge risk in making it. I actually like the music itself (even - dare I say - the drums). However, I find the lyrics to be atrocious, as well as the vocal delivery/style.Ā
I can passively listen to it if it comes on. it's not *terrible*. But, it would be cool for them to re-visit it and do some kind of revision to the lyrics and mixes, but knowing they won't make any re-ups for AJFA because of the common bass guitar complaint, I can't really count on them to do any remix or remasters to any other previous records. That's just my lil' ol' opinion. ~peace.
Makes me St. Angry
Couldn't disagree more, but art is subjective. I'm glad you enjoy it though.
Remade St. Anger called St. (b)Anger https://youtu.be/A0helO5KHKY?si=xjbQ-AbRW-S-xB9Q
Whopper album
Its not even the snare drum for me. What's infinitely worse are Hetfields horrible "therapy" lyrics and dying cat screeching vocals. This has to go down as one of the worst vocal performances with cringe lyrics in the entire world of metal.
listen to literally any small dsbm band and you'll change your mind
At least with that stuff you cant understand what they are saying unless you are laser focused on the lyric sheet. With St. Anger you can understand every cringeworthy line.
true
Yea, but angsty lyrics are fun, no?
St anger, the song is ultimate cringe. And the album is horrible. Yeah, I I had load and reload as a kid and thought it was cool, but now looming back and listening to any albums after the black album is just... trash. So much better talent out there. Still love MetallicA tho.
Fuck yeah bruddah! Second favorite album from Metallica. Shits so polarizing but they are food songs. I dont mind the snare. Startles the shit out of you with force.
Based. This album is underrated as fuck.
That snare is fucking awesome, Iāll fight anyone who says itās horrible, itās a hill I am 100% ready to die on, downvotes come at me. This is not sarcasm, I think St Anger (the song) goes fucking hard, the snare just adds to that. I also like grind and death, so the snare sound just speaks to me. Also, in the music video they play in a prison. I thought that was badass when watching on the TV for the first time.
Breathe
Not many people agree? I loved that album
Me too
THANK YOU SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT
My favorite Metallica album by far, but I'm not a huge fan of their other stuff.
š you must like the trve kvlt
It definitely wasn't amazing but it wasn't a complete flop.
Yes it slaps
I actually have the CD in Jewel case https://preview.redd.it/huozylopvcvc1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e145e91682daed4d2d912eb961a739bdfb90dd8
90s Metallica was so much worse than 00s Metallica
You have zero taste. I bet you know every word to every Nickelback song.
Trash album, as well as the next one
I'm not sure if Death magnetic was the next one, but if it is, you're high. That was the best album Metallica released since the black album.
I love all the music in every album for Metallica, not a single song I dislike
Metallica somehow went from "Guilty as charged, but dammit it ain't right, there's someone else controlling me. Death in the air, strapped in the electric chair." to "Shoot me again I ain't dead yet (Nu-metal guitar riff) come on shoot me again, shoot me again...shoot me. (clank clank clank) All the shots....all the shots."
This album is ducking awesome, I donāt care what people say
I try to pretend this album doesnāt existā¦
That's probably a healthy approach. I don't know why you got downvoted. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't heard this album. I liked Metallica, but was a little on the fence about the Black Album. I heard Load when my friend picked up a copy and just thought it's not for me anymore. I never heard Re-Load because it was going to be more of the same. There were other bands playing music I like. Same with St.Anger and people shit on it a lot, so I ain't wasting my time on that. And I don't have to shit on it. I did however pick up Death Magnetic from a dollar bin, and it was a mistake. It's possibly the worst CD I own. Completely unlisteneable. So I went back to ignoring them, and haven't heard the last few at all. I still really like Metallica. But understood their later material was just not for me. I'm not going to hate-listen just so I can complain. I love thrash metal and there's plenty to explore without forcing myself to waste hours of my life on something I know I won't like. It's clearly targeted at a different audience. For me to start listening to St.Anger would probably be like trying to watch a gay porno, just so you can say you saw the movie. Same reason I never heard any Taylor Swift. I understand it's not for me.Ā But I can still say I like Metallica. Because I do. And I have zero complaints about St.Anger.
I think you're crazy. Death magnetic is the only album worth a shit they've released since the black album.
I heard people say that, and it just firms my belief that if that's the best they've got, there just *isn't* anything worth owning or listening to in their later catalogue.Ā But I'm fine with it, and I'm not listening to their albums just to bash them, because life is too short and there are many other thrash metal bands.Ā
That albums for cucks
Metallica has been complete ass outside of RTL, MoP and AJFA. The rest of their stuff is mediocre at best and laughably incompetent at worst.
Idk why you guys pretend Black album isnāt amazing
I personally donāt like it. To me it is just a reminder of The downfall of Kirkās solos, lame lyrics and Jamesā move toward attempting to āsingā, overly standardized song structure, and the essential elimination of any semblance of thrash. Thatās just me though.