Metallica: Some Kind of Monster 2004

In the spring of 2001, Metallica finds itself in a precarious state of disarray. The aftermath of their lawsuit against Napster has sparked widespread fan discontent, while the departure of bassist Jason Newsted has left an irreparable rift within the group. To address the festering tensions, they enlist the services of performance coach Phil Towle, only to have Newsted himself express skepticism about the endeavor, labeling it “really fucking lame and weak.” Amidst this turmoil, the band embarks on a new studio album, utilizing an abandoned barracks at the Presidio of San Francisco as their recording space. Veteran producer Bob Rock joins the fold, assuming bassist duties and contributing equally to the creative process alongside James Hetfield (singer/guitarist), Lars Ulrich (drummer), and Kirk Hammett (guitarist). The resulting tracks “Some Kind of Monster” and “My World” bear testament to this more collaborative approach.

However, just as the album begins to take shape, Hetfield’s departure from the sessions sparks a chain reaction of uncertainty. His subsequent entry into drug rehabilitation, seeking treatment for addiction, puts the entire project on hold. Ulrich’s efforts to preview the new material for his father yield disheartening feedback, with the elder Ulrich dismissing the songs as subpar. As three months elapse without Hetfield’s presence, doubts swirl regarding Metallica’s future. Ulrich, Rock, and Hammett continue their therapy sessions with Towle, while Hammett retreats to his northern California ranch, holding onto hope that the situation will resolve itself.

In a surprising turn of events, Ulrich meets with Metallica’s original lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine (fired in 1983), as part of his therapeutic journey. Mustaine’s words cut deep, revealing a long-standing resentment toward Metallica and the lingering sense of being overshadowed by their success. Hammett, Ulrich, and Rock attend an Echobrain concert, following which Ulrich laments his inability to keep his own band together. As Hetfield’s absence stretches beyond six months, Metallica is forced to abandon its lease at the Presidio, leaving the future of their album – and the band itself – shrouded in uncertainty.

As Hetfield emerges from rehab in April 2002, the band reunites at their new HQ studio, where they begin crafting the intense track “Frantic”. A crucial aspect of his recovery regimen is a strict four-hour workday, accompanied by an unwavering insistence that his bandmates refrain from working on or discussing recorded material without him present. The constraints spark frustration among the group, particularly Ulrich, who accuses Hetfield of being overly controlling. This tension culminates in a heated band meeting where Ulrich vents his feelings, further straining the relationship between the two founding members as they work on “The Unnamed Feeling”. Hetfield’s need for control stems from a deep-seated fear of abandonment rooted in his childhood experiences.

Meanwhile, Hammett serves as a calm counterpoint to the band’s warring egos, taken aback by their decision to exclude guitar solos from the album. The members bristle at their management team’s insistence that they create a promotional video for a radio contest, and this resentment finds its way into the song “Sweet Amber”. As the band’s productivity increases, Ulrich channels his feelings about the Napster lawsuit into lyrics for “Shoot Me Again”. As they deliberate over which tracks will make the final cut, the members sense an improvement in their chemistry. They begin to question Towle’s methods, feeling that he has insinuated himself too deeply into the band. When they propose scaling back their relationship with him, Towle becomes defensive.

The band is selected to perform at the upcoming MTV Icon tribute show, accelerating their search for a new bassist. After auditioning several talented musicians from other bands, they settle on Robert Trujillo, whose impressive skills and finger-style playing evoke memories of their beloved early bassist, Cliff Burton, who tragically passed away in 1986. They opt to title their album St. Anger and film the music video for the title track at San Quentin State Prison. As they prepare to embark on a three-year hiatus from touring, Ulrich proudly declares that they have “proven that you can make aggressive music without negative energy.” The film concludes with a montage of Metallica performing “Frantic” to packed stadium crowds during their summer 2003 tours, and notes that St. Anger debuted at number one in 30 countries around the world.