Metallica St. Anger - Hit or Miss?

In later 2000, Jason told Metallica he was out. His last concert with Metallica as a member was November 30th, 2000. The last song was Fade to Black at 2000 Vh1 awards. Jason was frustrated with Metallica. Ecobrain was coming out which was Jason band. Jason was using Metallica brand to do it, and everyone was cool until it got James. James was like no we are not doing side projects. Which Jason was like what about Govt Mule or COC. James was like those are one offs, not side projects. Jason was upset and, felt like is this my band kind of feel. This could explain why Jason doesn't have much to do with Metallica now days. But in the end, Jason made the right choice. Jason probably felt Metallica was like a job instead of a cool gig to play in. Today, Jason is rumored to go tour with his band, Newsted into 2026. Which is cool because Jason still brings that Metallica fuel. Which is missing in Metallica today. Which is awesome to see Jason through the years create his own brand whether that is art or music. 

After years of heavy drinking, in 2001–2002 James began to recognize his alcohol addiction. Which those issues affected him and his family. So, James went to rehab for a couple months. Which made Lars and Kirk feel like what's next for Metallica. As in is Metallica over? Which would have been a huge let down if this band ended. But James did come out after a couple months. Also, James was on a curfew for a while. But Metallica did continue and still is kicking ass today live. 

2002 into 2003, before going back on tour, Metallica did do some local and studio shows. Metallica would use Bob Rock as their bass player. Bob Rock was okay. But fit for what Metallica needed at the time. Bob Rock was the producer. So, the question would be what we are going to do when we go back on tour for a bass player. Bob Rock would play on St. Anger which wasn't that great of an album. St. Anger was released in June of 2003. The album did have several videos. Which included Frantic, St Anger, Some Kind of Monster, and The Unnamed Feeling. But who will end up the new bass player was always the question.

Metallica answers their bass problem with auditions. The choice ends up be being Rob Trujillo. Who played with Ozzy, Black Label Society, and Suicidal Tendencies. As well as Infectious Groves. James was impressed with Rob playing. As you saw in some kind of monster documentary. So, Rob got the gig. Unlike Jason, Rob got a million dollars for joining the band. Which Jason was like I didn't get that but cool for Rob. Shows how Metallica had aged between 1986 and 2003. Which age can do that. So, in the end Rob is a very talented bass player. Which Rob fits Metallica great up until this day. 

Around this time in 2003, Metallica was at Aerosmith MTV show. Where James talks about his rehab, which impressed Steven Tyler. Metallica would have an MTV live tribute to them with Metallica in the audience. The tribute included Jim Bruer who is awesome. His impression of James and Lars are great. You would also see Staind cover Nothing Else Matters, Limp Bizkit cover Sanitarium, as well as many other artists. Pretty cool for MTV to do this for the metal legends of Metallica.

St. Anger is far from my favorite Metallica album. The album was okay overall. But I did like a few songs. The songs I liked are Frantic, St. Anger, Some Kind of Monster, Invisible Kid, and Unnamed Feeling. I didn't mind All Within My Hand and is ever better live. Songs I disliked are Dirty Window, My World, Shoot Me Again, Sweet Amber, and Purify.

Songs never played live. Metallica hasn't played a lot of St anger since the mid 2000s, but the songs never performed live are My World, Invisible Kid, Shoot Me Again, and Purify. The acoustic version has been played, but not the actual song of All Within My Hands. I know Metallica will sometimes bring out Frantic or St. Anger live in the last 10 years. Sometimes wish Metallica would bring out Some Kind of Monster or finally play Invisible Kids live. Metallica as a live band rocks so these songs would be great to hear live.

After St. Anger release, people were not happy with the album. Now it was great to see Metallica back out there after a few years off. But fans were wanting and demanding that Metallica leave Bob Rock. Because this wasn't working for Metallica according to fans. So, as a great band, Metallica did end up listening. Which then went to Rick Rubin of Def Jam. The same guy who did Slayer and Beastie Boys albums. Now, Slayer wasn't happy with it. Definitely Kerry King. But Metallica still worked with Rick Rubin to record Metallica album of Death Magnetic. Which is Rob first album that he played on. This was the right move. Because I love Death Magnetic. One day I will cover that awesome album with a review.

Now, you see how Jason left the band. James going to rehab, and Metallica future at a question mark. When Bob Rock played in Metallica. Also, St Anger coming out. As well as the introduction to Rob Trujillo to Metallica. Don't forget with songs I like, and songs Metallica have never played live off St Anger. Metallica went through a lot through this time period. Metallica has overcome it and still rock to this day. Did you like St. Anger or hate it? Let me know your thoughts.