St. Anger

St. Anger is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on June 5, 2003. It marked a significant departure from the band's previous sound, characterized by a raw, unpolished production style, the absence of guitar solos, and the prominent use of a snare drum sound that was widely criticized.

The album's lyrics, written primarily by James Hetfield, focus on themes of anger, frustration, addiction, and internal conflict. These themes reflect the personal struggles and band dynamics during the tumultuous period of its creation, documented in the film Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. The recording process was heavily influenced by the band's therapy sessions with performance-enhancing coach Phil Towle.

St. Anger generated considerable controversy among Metallica fans and music critics. While some appreciated its raw energy and honest exploration of personal issues, others criticized its production quality, lack of guitar solos, and perceived lyrical simplicity. Despite the mixed reception, St. Anger debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold millions of copies worldwide, solidifying its place in Metallica's discography as a uniquely divisive and experimental work.