Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
Joe Berlinger - Director
Bruce Sinofsky - Director
James Hetfield - Himself
Lars Ulrich - Himself
Kirk Hammett - Himself
Bob Rock - Himself
Metallica has been around for nearly as long as I've been alive. That's a long damn time for a group of people to work together creatively plus endure the gruelling tour schedule Metallica always takes on. There's always been a bit of dysfunction within the band, both on an individual level and as a group. They've lived the stereotypical rock star lives, with the sex, the drugs, the whole nine yards. Now they've got wives and children at home. These things change people.
The band members seem to have finally taken care of their personal problems for the most part. This documentary covers goes inside the studio for the recording of their most recent album, St Anger. Metallica has pretty much retained the same lineup over the years. Very early on, they kicked Dave Mustaine (now of Megadeth) out of the band, stating that he was basically a mean drunk. Kirk Hammett took his place as lead guitarist and has remained. Cliff Burton died in a bus accident in 1984 and was replaced by Jason Newsted, who was the bassist until they began work on St Anger. The details about why Newsted quit come out in this film. The band went into the studio with no bassist (producer Bob Rock played bass in the studio.)
Metallica has always belonged to vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. They wrote the sangs, and what they said was how it was going to be. They drank, they shouted at each other, they sulked, but in the end they made great music. For the recording of St Anger, they brought a therapist into the studio to meet with the band and help work out their communication issues. James and Lars have the look of an old married couple who are thinking of calling it quits. Hetfield in particular undergoes a dramatic change during the film and seems like a different man by the end of it. This documentary is a very real, honest look at Metallica as people, as well as an interesting look at group dynamics.
Some Kind of Monster is worth your while to watch, even if you aren't a fan of Metallica's music. It's a fascinating insight into the creative process and inner workings of one of the longest lived, most successful bands of all time. After watching this film, I wondered how St Anger ever made it onto store shelves. They struggle with trying to stay true to themselves while making music that their fans will enjoy. It's a fine line to tow, and clearly having 20+ years experience under your belt doesn't make it any easier.
Some Kind of Monster earns 3.5 wombats out of 4
Bruce Sinofsky - Director
James Hetfield - Himself
Lars Ulrich - Himself
Kirk Hammett - Himself
Bob Rock - Himself
Hetfield and Ulrich hard at work.
Metallica has been around for nearly as long as I've been alive. That's a long damn time for a group of people to work together creatively plus endure the gruelling tour schedule Metallica always takes on. There's always been a bit of dysfunction within the band, both on an individual level and as a group. They've lived the stereotypical rock star lives, with the sex, the drugs, the whole nine yards. Now they've got wives and children at home. These things change people.
The band members seem to have finally taken care of their personal problems for the most part. This documentary covers goes inside the studio for the recording of their most recent album, St Anger. Metallica has pretty much retained the same lineup over the years. Very early on, they kicked Dave Mustaine (now of Megadeth) out of the band, stating that he was basically a mean drunk. Kirk Hammett took his place as lead guitarist and has remained. Cliff Burton died in a bus accident in 1984 and was replaced by Jason Newsted, who was the bassist until they began work on St Anger. The details about why Newsted quit come out in this film. The band went into the studio with no bassist (producer Bob Rock played bass in the studio.)
Metallica has always belonged to vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. They wrote the sangs, and what they said was how it was going to be. They drank, they shouted at each other, they sulked, but in the end they made great music. For the recording of St Anger, they brought a therapist into the studio to meet with the band and help work out their communication issues. James and Lars have the look of an old married couple who are thinking of calling it quits. Hetfield in particular undergoes a dramatic change during the film and seems like a different man by the end of it. This documentary is a very real, honest look at Metallica as people, as well as an interesting look at group dynamics.
Some Kind of Monster is worth your while to watch, even if you aren't a fan of Metallica's music. It's a fascinating insight into the creative process and inner workings of one of the longest lived, most successful bands of all time. After watching this film, I wondered how St Anger ever made it onto store shelves. They struggle with trying to stay true to themselves while making music that their fans will enjoy. It's a fine line to tow, and clearly having 20+ years experience under your belt doesn't make it any easier.
Some Kind of Monster earns 3.5 wombats out of 4
posted by Mr_Nuts at 7:22 PM
3 Comments:
thats a hell of a rating for a music documentary... i may have to borrow it...
Having been a Metallica fan since 5th grade, I may be a tad biased.
yeah... i only owned for the longest time, black, load, reload, garage days revisted and s&m. actually, those may still be the only ones i own. i was never a big fan of a lot of their early stuff.
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