Some Kind of Monster (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Some Kind of Monster


Artist = Metallica
from Album = St. Anger
B-side = Some Kind of Monster (Remix/Edit)
Released = June 2004
Format = CD single
Recorded = May, 2002-April, 2003
Genre = Heavy metal
Length = 8:27
Label = Elektra Records
Writer = Kirk Hammett
James Hetfield
Bob Rock
Lars Ulrich
Producer = Bob Rock
Chart position = * #19 (U.S. Mainstream Rock)
* #40 (U.S. Modern Rock)
Last single = "The Unnamed Feeling"
(2004)
This single = "Some Kind of Monster"
(2004)
Next single = " The Day That Never Comes"
(2008)"Some Kind of Monster" is the fourth single from Metallica's eighth studio album, "St. Anger", being also one of the first songs put together for the album.

Information

The name "Some Kind of Monster" came from vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield describing the lyrics to producer Bob Rock being about a Frankenstein creature or "some kind of monster." Thus, it was also used as a very fitting title for the 2004 documentary about the recording of "St. Anger" and the turmoil surrounding it. Hetfield has previously described the entity that is Metallica - the burden of fame and life in general - as monstrous.

The song's birth and development are well detailed in the eponymous documentary as well. It would later be released as the final single and music videos of "St. Anger", and would be shortened considerably from the album version. The video contains old footage of Metallica concerts as well as a performance of the song in Metallica's San Francisco headquarters which is included in its entirety on the "St. Anger" DVD. In some regions, such as the US, the EP was bundled with a T-Shirt featuring the artwork.

During the "clean" intro, the sound of Lars Ulrich's snare can be heard rattling in the background.

On the documentary's DVD extras there are a couple of sections entitled "The Hard Riff", that show Hetfield teaching the song's main riff to Kirk Hammett, who appeared to have trouble figuring it out.

Track listing

# "Some Kind of Monster" - 8:27
# "The Four Horsemen" (Live) - 5:21
# "Damage, Inc." (Live) - 5:00
# "Leper Messiah" (Live) - 5:56
# "Motorbreath" (Live) - 3:20
# "Ride the Lightning" (Live) - 6:41
# "Hit the Lights" (Live) - 4:12
# "Some Kind of Monster" (Edit) - 4:16

Personnel

*James Hetfield – vocals, Rhythm Guitar
*Lars Ulrich – drums
*Kirk Hammett – Lead Guitar, backing vocals
*Bob Rock – Bass Guitar

Cultural references

In the episode "Phantom Traveler" of the television show "Supernatural", while on the plane, Dean hums this song to calm himself down.