Nice try for Metallica to come back to form, but falls short
(Rated this album with 4 out of 10) Reviewed by
Jeremy Foster
from Tahlequah, Oklahoma United States
I think very highly of Metallica in a whole. I respect the "Do It Your Own Way" spirit that defined their attitude in the 1980's and early 1990's. I can even respect the huge change in direction that followed "And Justice For All" and "Metallica". This does not mean I enjoyed the music as much as their early masterpieces, I do not have to name them now do I? Metallica has earned the right in my humble opinion to explore whatever avenue of music they care to explore. Having wrote all that "St. Anger" is not the worst album of all times by any means. It is that it is a sub-par effort for Metallica in my eyes. This is why I can not give it three stars. Perhaps I am mostly disappointed in the reviews I read before the release of the album. Reviews of a return to form for the band I Loved in their 1980's heyday of thrashing destruction. The album does in many ways tries to foster the feeling of the old trash ways of Metallica, but falls short in many ways. Listening to the "Anger" on "St. Anger" is painful, but not in a good way for myself. It seems angry for the sake of anger. The song structures are much harder and faster than previous offerings by the band, but looses it's muster in many ways. It is just not what I personally expect from Metallica. I still respect the music and the band. It is hard for myself to understand why so many people would attack the band on a personal level for producing sub-par albums. It is hard I guess for some people to accept terrible efforts from Metallica. I just now realize that the hunger and drive that the band once possessed in abundance has diminished. Wheter it be from age or success, probally both. The latest offering from Metallica does not measure up to the past performances of the band by a long shot. Hardcore old school metal militia bangers yearn for a true return to the trash era of Metallica. This day may never come. I still hold on to the belife that Metallica still has one more "Master of Puppets", "Ride the Lighting", "Kill em All" or "And Justice for All" still lurking in the bands soul. Until that day I will still support Metallica disappointedly. On a side note Metallica live still has not lost its luster in my mind.
