St. Anger es un álbum de Metallica, publicado en 2003 por Elektra. El disco incluye 11 canciones, entre ellas «Frantic», «St. Anger», «Some Kind of Monster» y «Dirty Window».
Lanzado en 2003 tras un tumultuoso período de seis años, St. Anger es el octavo álbum de estudio de Metallica y su trabajo más visceralmente crudo y controvertido. Nacido de un proceso de creación caótico que incluyó la salida del bajista Jason Newsted, la rehabilitación de James Hetfield y una intensa terapia de grupo (documentada en la película "Some Kind of Monster"), el álbum es un reflejo sonoro de la rabia, la frustración y la fragilidad de una banda al borde del colapso. Con una producción deliberadamente áspera, la ausencia total de solos de guitarra y el infame sonido metálico y resonante de la batería de Lars Ulrich, "St. Anger" fue un shock para fans y críticos, y sigue siendo su álbum más polarizante.
Contexto y grabación: terapia y caos
La creación de "St. Anger" fue un calvario. Tras la salida de Newsted en 2001, la banda comenzó a componer con el productor Bob Rock tocando el bajo. Las tensiones internas eran insostenibles. James Hetfield abandonó abruptamente las sesiones para ingresar en rehabilitación por alcoholismo. A su regreso, la banda contrató al "entrenador de rendimiento" Phil Towle para que les ayudara a comunicarse a través de una intensa terapia de grupo. Todo este proceso fue filmado para el documental "Some Kind of Monster", que expuso las profundas grietas dentro de la banda más grande del metal.
La grabación, con Bob Rock como productor y bajista temporal, buscaba capturar la energía cruda de estas sesiones de terapia. Decidieron no pulir el sonido, dejar las tomas imperfectas, eliminar por completo los solos de guitarra de Kirk Hammett (considerados un "adorno") y, lo más notorio, Lars Ulrich decidió desactivar los bordones de su caja, lo que le dio ese distintivo sonido de "lata" o "bote de basura" que definió el álbum.
El estilo musical
El sonido de "St. Anger" es áspero, desafinado y brutalmente directo. Se enmarca dentro del metal alternativo con fuertes influencias del nu metal, un género que dominaba la escena en esa época. Las canciones son largas, con estructuras repetitivas y riffs pesados y simples. La producción es deliberadamente "lo-fi" y sin refinar. Las letras de Hetfield son las más directas y confesionales de su carrera, un diario abierto de su lucha contra la adicción y la ira.
Las canciones del álbum
El sencillo principal, "St. Anger", es la declaración de intenciones del álbum, con su riff pesado y su letra catártica sobre la gestión de la ira. "Frantic", con su famoso estribillo "Frantic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tock", explora la sensación de vivir al límite. "Some Kind of Monster" es una pieza de casi nueve minutos que se convirtió en el título del documental.
La ausencia de solos de guitarra es un elemento definitorio y controvertido, creando un paisaje sonoro implacable y sin los habituales momentos de liberación melódica que caracterizaban su música. El álbum fue el primero con el bajista Robert Trujillo, aunque no participó en la grabación.
Lanzamiento y rendimiento en listas
Pese a su naturaleza poco comercial, la expectación por un nuevo álbum de Metallica era tan grande que debutó en el número 1 en más de 30 países.
- USA Billboard 200: 1
- UK Albums Chart: 3
- Alemania (GfK Entertainment): 1
- Australia (ARIA): 1
- España (PROMUSICAE): 2
Recepción crítica
La crítica fue extremadamente polarizada. Algunos elogiaron su honestidad brutal y su crudeza como un ejercicio catártico necesario para la supervivencia de la banda. La mayoría lo criticó duramente por su producción, la falta de solos y la longitud de sus canciones. El sonido de la batería, en particular, fue objeto de burlas universales. Pese a todo, el álbum ganó un premio Grammy a la Mejor Interpretación de Metal por la canción "St. Anger". Hoy en día, sigue siendo su álbum más debatido, un documento sonoro de una banda en su punto más bajo, pero que encontró la manera de sobrevivir.
Listado de Canciones
- Frantic5:50
Letra
If I could have my wasted days back Would I use them to get back on track? Stop to warm at karmas burning Or look ahead, but keep on turning? Do I have the strength To know how I'll go? Can I find it inside To deal with what I shouldn't know? Could I have my wasted days back Would I use them to get back on track? You live it or lie it! My lifestyle determines my deathstyle Keep searching, keep on searching This search goes on, this search goes on Frantic tick tick tick tick tick tick tock Frantic tick tick tick tick tick tick tock I've worn out always being afraid An endless stream of fear that I've made Treading water full of worry This frantic tick tick talk of hurry Do I have the strength To know how I'll go? Can I find it inside To deal with what I shouldn't know Worn out always being afraid An endless stream of fear that I've made You live it or lie it! My lifestyle determines my deathstyle Keep searching, keep on searching This search goes on, this search goes on Frantic tick tick tick tick tick tick tock Frantic tick tick tick tick tick tick tock My lifestyle (Birth is pain) Determines by deathstyle (Life is pain) A rising tide (Death is pain) That pushes to the other side (It's all the same) - St. Anger7:21
Saint Anger 'round my neck Saint Anger 'round my neck He never gets respect Saint Anger 'round my neck You flush it out, you flush it out Saint Anger 'round my neck You flush it out, you flush it out He never gets respect You flush it out, you flush it out Saint Anger 'round my neck You flush it out, you flush it out He never gets respect Fuck it all and fuckin' regrets I hit the lights on these dark sets I need a voice to let myself To let myself go free Fuck it all and fuckin' no regrets I it the lights on these dark sets I tie a noose to hang myself Saint Anger 'round my neck I feel my world shake Like an earthquake It's hard to see clear Is it me? Is it fear? I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! Saint Anger 'round my neck Saint Anger 'round my neck He never gets respect Saint Anger 'round my neck You flush it out, you flush it out Saint Anger 'round my neck You flush it out, you flush it out He never gets respect You flush it out, you flush it out Saint Anger 'round my neck You flush it out, you flush it out He never gets respect Fuck it all and fuckin' no regrets I hit the lights on these dark sets I need a voice to let myself To let myself go free Fuck it all and fuckin' no regrets I hit the lights on these dark sets Medallion noose, I hang myself Saint Anger 'round my neck I feel my world shake Like an earthquake It's hard to see clear Is it me? Is it fear? I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! And I want my anger to be healthy And I want my anger just for me And I need my anger not to control And I want my anger to be me And I need to set my anger free And I need to set my anger free And I need to set my anger free And I need to set my anger free Set it free! Fuck it all and fuckin' no regrets I hit the lights on these dark sets I need a voice to let myself To let myself go free Fuck it all and fuckin' no regrets I it the lights on these dark sets I tie noose to hang myself Saint Anger 'round my neck I feel my world shake Like an earthquake It's hard to see clear Is it me? Is it fear? I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! I'm madly in anger with you! - Some Kind of Monster8:25
Letra
These are the eyes that can't see me These are the hands that drop your trust These are the boots that kick you around This is the tongue that speaks on the inside These are the ears that ring with hate This is the face that'll never change This is the fist that grinds you down This is the voice of silence no more These are the legs in circles run This is the beating you'll never know These are the lips that taste no freedom This is the feel that's not so safe This is the face you'll never change This is the God that ain't so pure This is the God that is not pure This is the voice of silence no more We the people Are we the people? (x2) Some kind of monster... Some kind of monster... Some kind of monster... This monster lives This is the face that stones you cold This is the moment that needs to breathe These are the claws that scratch these wounds This is the pain that never leaves This is the tongue that whips you down This is the burden of every man These are the screams that pierce your skin This is the voice of silence no more This is the test of flesh and soul This is the trap that smells so good This is the flood that drains these eyes These are the looks that chill to the bone These are the fears that swing over head These are the weights that hold you down This is the end that will never end This is the voice of silence no more We the people Are we the people? (x2) Some kind of monster... Some kind of monster... Some kind of monster... This monster lives This is the cloud that swallows trust This is the black that uncolors us This is the face that you hide from This is the mask that comes undone Ominous I'm in us (x4) This is the cloud that swallows trust This is the black that uncolors us This is the face that you hide from This is the mask that comes undone Ominous I'm in us (x4) Are we the people? Some kind of monster... Some kind of monster... Some kind of monster .. The monster lives - Dirty Window5:24
Letra
I see my reflection in the window It looks different, so different than what you see Projecting judgment on the world This house is clean baby This house is clean Am I who I think I am? Am I who I think I am? Am I who I think I am? Look out my window and see it's gone wrong Court is in session and I slam my gavel down I'm judge and I'm jury and I'm executioner too Projector Protector Rejector Infector Projector Rejector Infector Injector Defector Rejector I see my reflection in the window This window clean inside, dirty on the out I'm looking different than me This house is clean baby This house is clean Am I who I think I am? Am I who I think I am? Am I who I think I am? I look my window and see it's gone wrong My court is in session and now I slam my gavel down Projector Protector Rejector Infector Projector Rejector Infector Injector Defector Rejector I drink from the cup of denial I'm judging the world from my throne I drink from the cup of denial I'm judging the world from my throne - Invisible Kid8:30
Letra
Invisible kid Never see what he did Got stuck where he hid Fallen through the grid Invisible kid Got a place of his own Where he'll never be known Inward he's grown Invisible kid Locked away in his brain From the shame and the pain World down the drain Invisible kid Suspicious of your touch Don't want no crutch But it's all too much I hide inside I hurt inside I hide inside But I'll show you... I'm ok, just go away Into distance let me fade I'm ok, just go away I'm ok, but please don't stray too far Open your heart I'm beating right here Open your mind I'm being right here, right now (x2) Invisible kid Never see what he did Got stuck where he hid Fallen through the grid Invisible kid Got a place of his own Where he'll never be known Inward he's grown I hide inside I hurt inside I hide inside But I'll show you... I'm ok, just go away Into distance let me fade I'm ok, just go away I'm ok, but please don't stray too far Open your heart I'm beating right here Open your mind I'm being right here, right now (x2) Oooh, what a good boy you are Out of the way and you're kept to yourself Oooh, can't you see that he's not here? He doesn't want the attention you give Oooh, unplugging from it all Invisible kid, floats alone in his room Oooh, what a quiet boy you are He looks so calm floating 'round and around in himself Invisible kid Locked away in his brain From the shame and the pain World down the drain Invisible kid Suspicious of your touch Don't want no crutch But it's all too much I hide inside I hurt inside I hide inside But I'll show you... I'm ok, just go away Into distance let me fade I'm ok, just go away I'm ok, but please don't stray too far Open your heart I'm beating right here Open your mind I'm being right here, right now (x2) - My World5:45
Letra
The motherfuckers got in my head Trying to make me someone else instead It's my world now It's my world now It's my world... It's my world...! Mama, why's it rainin' in my room? Cheer up boy! Clouds will move on soon! Heavy fog got me lost inside Gonna sit right back and enjoy this ride! It's my world You can't have it It's my world, It's my world It's my world Sucka! I'm out of my head, out of my head Get 'em out of my head, out of my head Get 'em out! Who's in charge of my head today? Dancin' devils in angels way It's my time now It's my time now It's my time... Yeah, it's my time...! Look out motherfuckers here I come! I'm gonna make my head my home The sons of bitches tried to take my head Tried to make me someone else instead It's my world You can't have it It's my world, it's my world It's my world Sucka! I'm out of my head, out of my head Get 'em out of my head, out of my head Get 'em out! Not only do I not know the answer... I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE QUESTION IS!! (x2) God it feels... Like it only rains on me (x4) Not only do I not know the answer... I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE QUESTION IS!! (x2) Sucka! I'm out of my head, out of my head Out of my head, get 'em out of my head Get 'em out! Enough's enough (x8) - Shoot Me Again7:10
Letra
I won't go away Right here I'll stay Stand silent in flames Stand tall 'till it fades Shoot me again I ain't dead yet (x4) Shoot me again Shoot me again Shoot me! Shoot me again Shoot me again C'mon! (x2) All the shots I take I spit back at you All the shit you fake Comes back to haunt you All the shots... All the shots... All the shots I take What difference did I make? All the shots I take I spit back at you I won't go away With a bullet in my back! Right here I'll stay With a bullet in my back! Shoot me... Take a shot Shoot me... Take a shot Shoot me... Take a shot Shoot me... Take a shot I'll stand on my own With a bullet in my back! I'm stranded and sold With a bullet in my back! Shoot me again I ain't dead yet (x4) Shoot me again Shoot me again C'mon! Shoot me again Shoot me again C'mon! (x2) All the shots I take I spit back at you All the shit you fake Comes back to haunt you All the shots... All the shots... All the shots I take What difference did I make? All the shots I take I spit back at you I bite my tongue Trying not to shoot back No compromise My heart won't pump the other way Wake the sleeping giant Wake the beast Wake the sleeping dog No, let him sleep I bite my tongue Trying not to shoot back... All the shots I take I spit back at you All the shit you fake Comes back to haunt you All the shots... All the shots... All the shots I take What difference did I make? All the shots I take I spit back at you - Sweet Amber5:27
Letra
Wash your back so you won't stab mine Get in bed with your own kind Live your life so you don't see mine Drape your back so you won't shine Oooh then she hold my hand And I lie to get a smile (x2) Using what I want To get what you want (x4) Ooh, sweet amber How sweet are you? How sweet does it get? (x2) Chase the rabbit, fetch the stick She rolls me over, 'till I'm sick She deals in habits, deals in pain I run away, but I'm back again Oooh, then she holds my hand And I lie to get a smile And she squeezes tighter I still lie to get a smile Using what I want To get what you want (x4) Ooh, sweet amber How sweet are you? How sweet does it get? (x2) She holds the pen that spells the end She traces me and draws me in (x2) Ooh, sweet amber... Ooh, sweet amber How sweet are you? Oooh, how sweet does it get? (x2) It's never as sweet as it seems! - The Unnamed Feeling7:08
Letra
Been here before Been here before Been here before Been here before Been here before, couldn't say I liked it Do I start writing all this down? Just let me plug you into my world Can't you help me be uncrazy? Name this for me, heat the cold air Take the chill off of my life And if I could I'd turn my eyes To look inside to see what´s comin' It comes alive It comes alive It comes alive And I die a little more It comes alive It comes alive It comes alive Each moment here I die a little more I die, I die, I die, a little more Then the unnamed feeling It comes alive Then the unnamed feeling Takes me away Been here before Been here before Been here before Been here before I´m frantic in your soothing arms I can not sleep in this down filled world I´ve safety in this loneliness But I can not stand it anymore Cross my heart hope not to die Swallow evil, ride the sky Lose myself in a crowded room Youl fool, you fool, it will be here soon It comes alive It comes alive It comes alive And I die a little more It comes alive It comes alive It comes alive Each moment here I die a little more I die, I die I die a little more Then the unnamed feeling It comes alive Then the unnamed feeling Treats me this way And I wait for this train Toes over the line And then the unnamed feeling Takes me away Takes me Then the unnamed feeling It comes alive Then the unnamed feeling Takes me away Takes me away Get the fuck out of here I just wanna get the fuck away from me I rage, I glaze, I hurt, I hate I hate it all, why? Why? Why me? I cannot sleep with a head like this I wanna cry, I wanna scream I rage, I glaze, I hurt, I hate I wanna hate it all away Then the unnamed feeling It comes alive Then the unnamed feeling Treats me this way And I wait for this train Toes over the line And then the unnamed feeling Takes me away Takes me away Then the unnamed feeling It comes alive And then the unnamed feeling Takes me away - Purify5:13
Letra
Purify Tear it down Strip the layers off My turpentine Old paint, old looks Cover up the past White heat, white light Super white bones Bones of you and I Pure if I...Can't you help me? Pure if I...Won't you help me? Purify, you and I Purify, you and I Pure if I...Can't you help me? Pure if I...Won't you help me? You and I, Purify (x3) Truth and dare Peeling back the skin Acid wash Ghost white Ultra clean Want to be skeleton Clear eyes Diamond eyes Strip the past of mine My sweet turpentine Pure if I...Can't you help me? Pure if I...Won't you help me? Purify, you and I Purify, you and I Pure if I...Can't you help me? Pure if I...Won't you help me? You and I, Purify (x3) I can find the dirt on anything I can find the dirt on anything I ain't dancing with your skeletons I ain't dancing with what might have been Pure if I...Can't you help me? Pure if I...Won't you help me? Purify, you and I Purify, you and I Pure if I...Can't you help me? Pure if I...Won't you help me? You and I, Purify You and I, Purify C'mon, Purify! - All Within My Hands8:48
Letra
All within my hands Squeeze it in, crush it down All with my hands Hold it dear, hold it suffocate All within my hands Love to death, smack you 'round and round and All within my hands Beware Love is control I'll die if I let go Hate me now Kill all within my hands Hate me now Crush all within my hands Squeeze all within my hands Choke all within my hands Hate me now Trap all within my hands Hurry up and hate me now Kill all within my hands All within my hands Take your fear, pump me up All within my hands Let you run, then I pull your leash All within my hands Under thumb, under to myself All within my hands Beware Love is control I'll die if I let go Hate me now Kill all within my hands Hate me now Crush all within my hands Squeeze all within my hands Choke all within my hands Hate me now Trap all within my hands Hurry up and hate me now Kill all within my hands again I'll die if I let go Control is love, love is control I'll fall if I let go Control is love, love is control I will only let you breathe My air that you receive Then we'll see if I let you love me Kill kill kill kill kill