I was a late bloomer to Metallica. I first thought to listen to Metallica when the single “St. Anger” was released in 2003.
Did I lose anyone? Ok, I’ll continue.
I watched a lot of music videos at the time. That was one of my biggest sources of new music. Music videos were where I first heard System of a Down, Korn, and even how I first heard the Beastie Boys. I saw the “St. Anger” music video where the band performs for inmates at a state prison in California. I really loved the song (and the video) and decided I would get the album. It turns out, I loved it—every song off of St. Anger. What I also discovered about loving this album was that most Metallica fans were not on the same train as me. I heard many conversations about the new bassist, that the band was going through therapy, that their sound was not the same, they seemed soft, they sold out; that St. Anger was their worst album ever.
So I kept my appreciation for Metallica to myself. I realized I needed to hear more Metallica. I was a poser to only like this one album (at least that is what people told me). I asked my boyfriend at the time if he had any Metallica albums I could borrow. I assumed being a teenage male, he would have the entire discography. He had two albums, Metallica and Reload. That was it. And from what I understand, if St. Anger is Metallica’s worst album, Reload is a close second and Metallica might be the third. So, really it’s on him as to why I don’t have more of a Metallica education. Yah, lets blame him.
Anyway, after listening to these two albums, I thought, yes! I do like Metallica. Another less-than-proud coincidence around this time was that one of my favorite movies was Mission Impossible II. I am not sure why. I would watch it on DVD once or twice a month. One day I noticed in the Bonus Features, a music video from Metallica was one of the features. Could it be true? Metallica recorded “I Disappear” for the Mission Impossible II soundtrack. Mark my words, this song will play at my wedding.
After this twisted tale of metal, we can really see why I am weary of saying I am a Metallica fan. To a real fan, I am someone who likes the newer, more mainstream stuff. I cannot help how I first got introduced to Metallica and became a fan of their music. At least I knew enough to recognize how good the music was. The metal gods cannot be too cross with me. If someone had played the entire Master of Puppets album for me when I was 14, the conversation would be totally different. But, I did not hear the album in its entirety until this year.
Hardwired . . .To Self-Destruct—I decided to listen before reading any reviews. I honestly assumed that if I loved it, the reviews would be bad and I could stay consistent with my awkward Metallica fandom. However, I really like the album and so do most of the critics (that I have read). If there were levels to Metallica fans, I would be at Level I—Beginner. I am ok with that. I love their music. I love that they are still rocking so hard after all these years. When I first started running, my first long-distance run was listening to Metallica—it gave me that push I needed to get through those extra miles. I had a Metallica poster in my college dorm room that would later end up in my first apartment’s bathroom (James Hetfield watching me shower was never uncomfortable). I will always turn to St. Anger as my go-to album because that is where it all started. Where I first learned that Metallica are really one of the best bands of all time.
And now, I leave you with my personal list of MY top 10 Metallica songs. May you read this list and remember it is the holiday season, so be kind.
1. “I Disappear”
2. “St. Anger”
3. “Spit Out the Bone”
4. “Low Man’s Lyric”
5. “Hardwired”
6. “The Unnamed Feeling”
7. “Slither”
8. “Shoot Me Again”
9. “Frantic”
10. “The Unforgiven”
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