In a recent edition of Revolver magazine, the spotlight turned to Corey Taylor, who took readers on a soulful journey through his music tastes.
With candid revelations, he highlighted one album that initially failed to find a place in his heart but eventually became a beloved favorite.
Which album held this rollercoaster of emotions? None other than Metallica’s iconic yet divisive ‘St. Anger.’
Taylor reminisced, “During its launch, I was sailing stormy seas, with alcohol as my navigator. I couldn’t quite get past the distinctive mix of the album, and admittedly, I found myself echoing the sentiment of the masses.”
Yet, the compass of his opinion began to shift, thanks to a nudge from an unlikely ally. Taylor elaborated, “Josh Rand, the string maestro from Stone Sour and a dedicated Metallica aficionado, introduced me to a treasure – a deluxe version of ‘St. Anger’. This edition was like a backstage pass, unveiling Metallica performing each song raw and unfiltered in their sanctum. It was akin to deciphering a puzzle, understanding the soul and spirit behind each note. My entire perspective transformed.”
Revisiting ‘St. Anger’ today, Taylor confessed, “It’s like an old wine, maturing gracefully with time. Some tracks resonate profoundly, exuding underappreciated rhythms. Especially the headline act, the title track, it’s a force to reckon with.”
Since its dramatic entrance in 2003, ‘St. Anger’ has been the topic of heated debates, with its unconventional drum tunes and the glaring omission of guitar solos drawing both admiration and criticism.
The debate crescendoed when the album found itself on Rolling Stone’s 2023 compilation of 50 Genuinely Horrible Albums by Brilliant Artists, sitting at the 43rd spot.
Yet, every coin has two sides. Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s celebrated drummer, championed the album in a heartfelt discourse with Classic Rock in 2011.
He professed, “The distinctive aura of ‘St. Anger’ was a calculated choice. It was our audacious foray into the unknown. Remember, we love to tread where few dare. With masterpieces like ‘Ride The Lightning’ already in our arsenal, we sought a fresh canvas.”
Echoing this sentiment was Bob Rock, the genius behind the album’s production. In yesteryear conversations, he hinted that musical virtuosos like Jack White and Jimmy Page had showered accolades on the album’s distinctive charm.
