July 9th, 2004: Metallica: “Some Kind Of Monster” Debuted
On this day 20 years ago… “Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster” premiered in New York City. The film chronicled the band’s bitter in-fighting and visits to a therapist during the “St. Anger” sessions.
Six weeks in to recording, frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich have an intense argument. Hetfield storms out and enters rehab to undergo treatment for alcoholism and other addictions, putting everything on hold.
There was also the departure of bassist Jason Newsted as well as the hiring of his replacement Robert Trujillo.
Going to a therapist begins the healing process and helps lessen bad feelings enough to get “St; Anger” completed.
Years later, Ulrich calls the film a mistake. “I am aware a lot of other musicians seem to have lived a lot of those moments. They weren’t necessarily stupid enough to film them like we were and share them with the rest of the world.”
