Metallica: 10 Best Songs AFTER St. Anger

The legendary Metallica have had a career that is easy to compartmentalise.

Their classic period up until their self-titled 1991 album ('The Black Album') and after this are distinct and oftentimes have a differing fanbase. Beyond that we have the controversial St. Anger, which was ripped apart by fans for such a divisive stylistic change. A conscious decision to not have any guitar solos was also puzzling, along with their overall move closer to alternative metal.

After 2003, Metallica embarked on a journey of musical discovery and have found their modern identity. This new signature sound encompasses all their previous sounds and lessons they've learned in a lengthy career. While some will always deride the group for daring to change their image and style so much, their more recent output still has a huge following.

Metallica have only released two studio albums since the contentious St. Anger period, but in that time have produced several standout tracks. It feels as though the group have found themselves and are comfortable in their legacy.

Here are some of the best songs Metallica have committed to record since the end of the St. Anger album cycle.

From the opening notes the tone is set. This is a dark, heavy song. It burns slow and is a complete throwback to the likes of The Thing That Should Not Be and Sad But True.

Affectionately dubbed by some fans as 'Sad But Two', this song is a combination of their 1980s and 1990s output and is greater than the sum of it's parts. Musically it's absolutely reminiscent of Sad But True from their classic self-titled album, more famously known as 'The Black Album'. The slow, chugging riffage is certainly inspired by Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi. Lyrically, Dream No More harkens back to The Thing That Should Not Be with its H.P. Lovecraft influence.

Besides its excellent composition, one of the standout facets of the song is James Hetfield's energised bark. The vocalist sounds as aggressive as ever which is impressive considering the band's longevity.

Dream No More is a great modernisation of an older sound and it belongs on more of the band's setlists when they return to touring.