For anyone new, here's a quick discography rundown: KILL EM ALL (1983) - Their most "thrash" release, equal parts punk and speed metal. Sounds kinda dated today but the songs still mostly rip. RIDE THE LIGHTNING (1984) - Where they started to write more "epic" songs with multiple parts. An all-around classic that still holds up today. MASTER OF PUPPETS (1986) - Probably the best starting point as they took everything about Ride and went bigger, faster, better. AND JUSTICE FOR ALL (1988) - After the tragic passing of their bassist Cliff Burton this is a cold, harsh and dark listen (also features no audible bass and is all around tinny sounding). Songs are long with multiple parts, almost too long in many areas but still a great record. METALLICA (1991) - Also a great starting point as the songs got simpler, catchy and all-around more user-friendly. A lot of metal fans hated this album due to how accessible it is but there's a reason it's one of the best selling albums of all time. LOAD (1996) - Controversial at the time due to the perception the band was changing it's sound to be more "alternative". In reality, it's a blues-based rock record but since everything non-speed metal was being billed as alternative, fans were pissed. Some great songs here but also a lot to slog through. RELOAD (1997) - An obvious continuation of Load with some songs being better, some worse and it allowed Metallica to stay on the road for another year GARAGE INC (1998) - Repackaging of old covers the band did in the early 80's that were hard to find along with new covers. Over-long but some neat stuff on here ST. ANGER (2003) - Widely regarded as their worst and possibly the worst album ever released by a band of their stature. Terrible production, long songs that go nowhere, no guitar solos, just all bad DEATH MAGNETIC (2008) - A much needed course-correction where they got back to embracing muti-part structures, fast riffs and the return of guitar solos. The compressed loud production is frustrating but a lot of good stuff on here HARDWIRED (2016) - Retreating from some of the longer songs this is almost the band coming full circle to Kill Em All albeit in a more polished professional way
Idk if I'd call Kill 'em All their most 'thrash' album, I'd say it has more speed-leaning elements oh shit I almost wandered into the pedantry of discussing subgenres of metal which is the dumbest thing
Feel pretty confident that “For Whom the Bell Tolls” is my favorite Metallica song. If I gotta do a top 2… maybe “Nothing Else Matters” is my second pick? Ride the Lightning and the highlights of the Black album are generally the peak Metallica experience for me, personally, though I could also make a case for “Master of Puppets” as one of my top 2 songs. And, Kill ‘Em All is a lot of fun if I’m in the right mood for it.
It's hard to choose a favorite Metallica song, so I'm just going to give a shout out to Fuel, especially the S&M version.
That could be true, I am definitely not up to date on speed vs thrash differentiators but, to me, that album is the fastest and loosest of theirs.
Favorite Metallica songs: No Remorse Fade To Black Ride The Lightning Welcome Home Disposable Heroes Harvester Of Sorrow Holier Than Thou Wherever I May Roam Bleeding Me All Nightmare Long
Got a little tipsy and decided to say “fuck it” and get tickets for Chicago. What I thought was two nights in April 2023 ended up being two nights in August 2024. Both the month and year wrong lmao