Metallica has taken to Instagram with a jab at their own expense, referencing the long-standing criticism of the snare drum sound from their 2003 album, ‘St. Anger.’
The band shared the album cover along with a playful caption, saying:
“Everyone’s favorite album is now on Fender Play! Dust off your guitar (sorry, the snare drums will have to wait for another day) and get started on ‘Frantic,’ ‘St. Anger,’ ‘Some Kind of Monster,’ and ‘The Unnamed Feeling.'”
A History Of Discontent Among Fans
Since its release, ‘St. Anger’ has been a contentious topic among Metallica fans, primarily due to its snare drum sound. Discussions on platforms like Reddit have ranged from humorous remixes to outright criticism, with many fans expressing dissatisfaction and highlighting the album as a low point in Metallica’s discography. One comment on the platform said:
“The album was a horribly written and terribly produced attempt to cash in on nu-metal. They used drop tunings, eschewed guitar solos, wrote trashy and unreflective lyrics about how life is so mean. Lars’ snare was just a vignette of the gap between what the album intended to do and what it actually did. The purpose was to make the album sound moody, abrasive, and aggressive, but it was just overbearing, clangy, and irritating. ‘St. Anger’ was meant to sound like a garage band, but instead, it sounded like a garage band with paint tins. None of the album works.”
The Overpowering Snare Of ‘St. Anger’
Another comment explained:
“If you listen to ‘St. Anger’ from beginning to end, that snare will eventually drill itself into your brain. It becomes this incessant, constant clang clang clang throughout the whole damn album. It is the f*cking worst. There are even some songs on ‘St. Anger’ that I wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t for that snare.”
Metallica’s Challenges During ‘St. Anger’
The period surrounding ‘St. Anger’ was tumultuous for Metallica, marked by internal struggles and changes within the band. Frontman James Hetfield’s entrance into rehab significantly impacted the album’s production. Additionally, the band was navigating the departure of bassist Jason Newsted.
In an appearance on the Tone-Talk podcast, the ‘St. Anger’ producer Bob Rock opened up about the creative process behind the album, particularly the decision to retain the controversial snare sound. He recalled the story behind Lars Ulrich’s insistence on using a particular snare drum, which Rock and Ulrich believed was crucial in keeping the band together during that challenging time.
See the photos they shared on Instagram below.
Photo Credit: Metallica – Instagram
