10 Albums You Loved As A Teen (But Should Never Listen To Again)
3. St. Anger (Metallica)
Released: 2003.
Why You Shouldn't Listen: Hearing pint-sized drummer Lars Ulrich try to justify his biscuit-tin-lid drum sound at the time was almost as painful as tuning into the lyrics for 'Invisible Kid'. That said, the title track did get some decent airplay when it first released, and folks did praise Metallica for daring to go off in a new direction.
Sadly, new isn't always good.
Metallica fans were too busy defending 'St. Anger' out of loyalty to notice that the album wasn't actually a winner. The title track's curious menace and kick-ass angry red fist logo aside, this was the lowest of low points in a career that had soared to the highest of highs. The band's personal strife, infighting and creative malaise that featured on complementary film 'Some Kind Of Monster' is all detestable to watch now.
Zero guitar solos, the aforementioned drum sound, James Hetfield trying too hard with his lyrics and producer Bob Rock convincing everyone that this was what fans wanted. 'St. Anger', despite being armed with a relentless marketing campaign, sounds absolutely trash next to the band's 'Death Magnetic' follow up.