172. 🤘Metallica's Saint Anger & Some Kind of Monster Documentary Era: How Metallica Almost Died

Dan & Billy welcome back longtime friend & Nostalgia Test Podcast Allstar Jeremy Madson to put Metallica's Saint Anger & Some Kind of Monster to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

 

“I think we all went through that period where you tried to convince yourself that you liked [Saint Anger] before you eventually came to the point where like, oh, f***, it sucks.”
-Billy

 

We’re starting 2026 with an episode that’s been 23 years in the making. Ever since Metallica dropped Saint Anger and Some Kind of Monster in 2003 Dan, Billy, & Jeremy have been on a serendipitous nostalgic road to this conversation, this nostalgia test, this very moment where they unpack the total disillusionment they endured when this album came out. This is that moment. They talk about the impact of the documentary, the ego that is Lars, how James Hetfiled’s time in rehab, and the cool demeanor of Kirk Hammett. they also talk about the unceremonious way Jason Newstead was treated and the dumpster fire Rob Trujillo walked into when he was hired.

So, grab your best metalhead friends, put on your favorite band shirt, and crack open a Bud heavy, because this one is for the real Metallica fans who aren’t trying to rewrite the history that’s the Saint Anger album.

Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia!

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Approximate Rundown

00:00 Introduction to the Metallica Eras Journey

01:13 Welcoming the Hosts and Guests

01:51 Discussing the Impact of Saint Anger

03:11 Personal Recollections of the Album Release

07:01 Analyzing the Album's Reception and Documentary

09:11 Reflecting on Metallica's Evolution and Challenges

11:52 Critiquing the Album's Musical Choices

14:58 The Band's Internal Struggles and Dynamics

26:54 The Infamous Dave Mustaine Scene

28:11 Anthrax and Metallica: A Tense History

28:51 Dave Mustaine's Trolling and Lars' Indifference

29:16 The Big Four Reunion and Lars' Ego

29:55 Jason Newsted's Treatment and Icon Performance Controversy

31:45 Lars' Hair and James' Vocals: A Documentary Analysis

32:08 Saint Anger: A Musical and Critical Failure

37:01 Napster Lawsuit and Fan Betrayal

38:14 The Metal Scene in the Early 2000s

42:11 Rob Trujillo's Entry and Band Dynamics

45:45 Summer Sanitarium Tour and Metallica's Struggles

47:05 Saint Anger: Final Verdict and Documentary Reflection

52:29 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes

 

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The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected