"St. Anger" is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on June 5, 2003, and marked a dramatic shift in the band's musical direction, introducing elements of nu metal and showing a raw and unpolished sound. The album was the band's last collaboration with producer Bob Rock, with whom they had worked since 1991.
"St. Anger" is known not only for its stylistic departure but also for the turbulent recording process that took place. The band members were dealing with several personal challenges during its creation. Among those issues were substance addiction, internal disagreements, and the departure of long-time bassist Jason Newsted. To cope with these problems, the band hired a performance enhancement coach to help them communicate with each other and manage their personal struggles, a process documented in the film "Some Kind of Monster."
The album received mixed reviews from critics and fans. However, despite the criticisms, "St. Anger" debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2004. The album is regarded as one of the most controversial in Metallica's discography, sparking debates among fans over its unconventional sound.
