Metallica

From the Source

Laid down at an all-time low in inter-band relations, 2003's St Anger exposed Metallica as a band in crisis. With band members sharing writing duties after James Hetfield was admitted to rehab, and producer Bob Rock providing the bass lines in the wake of Jason Newsted's departure, it's small wonder that its fierce speed-metal sounds unlike any of the band's work before or since.

Another multi-platinum Metallica album, St Anger topped charts in 30 countries, as well as scooping a Best Metal Performance Grammy for its title track. In many ways the album marked a return to the band's roots with its lengthy tracks, savage themes and brutal sound, but the unscheduled absence of James Hetfield made for an unfamiliar lyrical style. And there were yet more changes were afoot for the band: while they gained new bassist Robert Trujillo before promoting the album, St Anger would prove to prove to be their last collaboration with Bob Rock.