Metallica's latest a 'St.' of an album

After a five-year hiatus, experimentation with orchestras, a fight with Napster and the loss of bassist Jason Newsted, Metallica returns. \nSt. Anger is a long (75-plus minutes), angry opus. With help from producer Rob Rock, who also plays subdued bass on the album, the band's mid-'90s pop sound is gone. What shines through the 11 songs is the combined rawness of Kirk Hammet's lightning-fast guitars, Lars Ulrich's bashing drums and James Hetfield's perpetually pissed-off vocals. Missing are Hammet's signature guitar solos. Annoying is the ping of Ulrich's snare drums. \nThe lyrics on St. Anger are an exploration of Hetfield's tormented soul. In the opener "Frantic," Hetfield wonders, "If I could have my wasted days back/Would I use them to get back on track?" On "St. Anger," Hetfield bears the weight of his sins around his neck. Throughout "Dirty Window," he confronts his distorted, mirrored reflection. Sure, the album's songwriting dwells in self-pity, but fans have always related to Hetfield's introspection. \nSt. Anger demonstrates Metallica's gifted ability to alternate tempo and key at breakneck speeds. Chaos never sounded so well composed. No cover songs, no weepy ballads; only savagery and intricacy. Just monstrous rock and roll from the horsemen of the apocalypse.