Review by KosieKat for Metallica - St. Anger (2003)

In Defense of St. Anger.

User  @ZeroSymbolic7188  wrote "It was an unpleasant, misguided experience that nobody, not even the band, enjoyed." and " BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG"

But I am here to speak today to say  NAY to this heresy against St Anger. I am here to speak of its good qualities. That I think many are unwilling to look into in order to join in with the masses and stand among the crowd who gathers to throw their stones as it is the 'cool' thing to hate this. but as it says in the song Dirty Window , I'm judge, I'm jury, and I'm executioner too.  And perhaps I myself drink from the cup of denial when I say that St Anger, is not a bad album. Is it a great album? No. I'm not insane. I love Metallica,  but I am not speaking with an uncritical bias ( you can miss me with And Justice For All. but that is a topic for another review.)  But I don't believe it deserves the hate  people lobby at it. This album  take elements of classic Metallica sound that a fan who enjoys them would be able to recognize and enjoy, but also has some new and different elements. Trying out some grungier, dirtier less polished sounding elements  in the tones and instrumentations and throwing more dirt on the lower end and yes, that drum set tone, was  a definable shift. but I can't say I hate its distinct sound. In fact my own less than professional grade set sitting in my basement right now sound VERY SIMILAR, is it a little broken? yeah. Do I still play it all the time in a band? yeah. Does it feel relatable like when I hear James calling out INVISIBLE KID  while it bongs on the tracks? yeah.  

Its an album that I can say I have listened to more songs from it and have come back to more times to listen to or discuss than many other so called " better " albums . with other individuals who say they do no not enjoy it. yet them so "wait you have to hear this' to others... To which I say,  isn't it a sign of the music's importance and relevance if you believe everyone should hear it? Even if Frantic is the only song you bring up,   (you cannot say its just for the silly lyrics because James has many many songs on many other albums with less than intelligent lyrics)

There are many very potent lines from this album that are relatable and striking yet only the silliest are brought up,  but are you  familiar with the ending of My World when  James starts singing "  God it only feels like it only rains on me,  into  I don't even know what the question is into ENOUGH is ENOUGH is ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

This album feels very heavy to me both thematically and sonically and I am a big fan of that. I am here because I LIKE heavy metal, and being a fan of noise music, perhaps that's why I'm quick to forgive what many deem are unforgivable sounds when to me it makes many of the tracks sound heavier when the large hits drive in emphasis on the beats. 

If you have only listened to this album with the ear's of a listener ready to take the piss out of it  then I encourage you to take another listen to it.

Listen to it as someone ready  to see a band trying to come together and express some raw and powerful thoughts and emotions to you. Back to a band who is just picking up their instruments and playing. Not trying to churn out the shiniest piece of metal, but something raw and infiltered and heavy. And if you still can't get past it, so be it. But you're not cooler for hating it. You're just, basic. which is fine,  but there's no medal for it. remember, Your lifestyle determines your deathstyle.