5. Death Magnetic (2008)

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Woah! Wait a second, are you suggesting that Death Magnetic is better than Kill ‘Em All?” is what a dedicated Metallica fan is wondering right now. Well the answer is simple; Death Magnetic sounds better than Kill ‘Em All – end of story. There is a popular misconception that befalls this album which is that it is one of Metallica’s worst albums, even though it contains some of their greatest work. After the overall unevenness of St. Anger, Metallica needed to show the world of metal that they were not out of the game. Death Magnetic did just that brought their original spirit back into existence.

For a Metallica album to have any impact it must have an opening track that penetrates deep into the eardrum and that is exactly what ‘That Was Just Your Life’ accomplishes. The thrash elements that have been missing for nearly two decades had simply been lost; but not forgotten. The best track is ‘Cyanide’ although it is very closely followed by ‘The Day That Never Comes’ and ‘All Nightmare Long’. Three technically magnificent songs that make it onto the list of Metallica classics without any hesitation. Furthermore, ‘Broken, Beat & Scarred’, ‘The Unforgiven III’ and the 10-minute solo song ‘Suicide & Redemption’ make Death Magnetic that little bit more superior to Kill ‘Em All. (LISTEN)

4. Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (2016)

Even though it took eight years for the world to hear new material from Metallica, it was well worth the wait. Released as a double LP, Hardwired…To Self-Destruct shows a new level of songwriting chemistry between James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich that is not seen on most Metallica albums. The ideas behind Hardwired… are very clever as they make you contemplate what you’re listening to.

‘Hardwired’ may not be the biggest thing since sliced bread, but it’ll certainly put you in the mood to headbang for the remaining 74 minutes. The other two singles ‘Atlas, Rise!’ and ‘Moth Into Flame’ are also fascinating and pleasurable to listen to. ‘Halo On Fire’ makes it as the best song on this album due to its interesting, thought-provoking lyrics and a spine-tingling key change added in. But it’s the second half where riffs and solos are no longer the key components. For example, ‘Confusion’ describes the suffering of ex-soldiers with PTSD, ‘Here Comes The Revenge’ talks about the uncertain desire for revenge, and ‘Spit Out The Bone’ is a thrilling conclusion set in a the future where artificial intelligence and robots take over. From this it is easy to notice that the atmosphere in Metallica’s recording studio has been the calmest it has been in years. Hardwired…To Self-Destruct does not quite make it into the top three, but it will leave a sensational heavy metal aftertaste no matter what. (LISTEN)

3. …And Justice For All (1988)

…And Justice For All sees Metallica going in a slightly more progressive direction with their music for the first time, featuring more unusual and complicated time signatures and guitar parts. As the title suggests, …And Justice For All focuses mainly on injustice; whether it be to do with law, politics or suffering. The only major flaw that this album has is Lars Ulrich deciding to turn the volume of the bass down – perhaps not the most auspicious of beginnings for newcomer Jason Newsted. Nevertheless, this album is top three-worthy.

‘Blackened’ has the honour of lighting the fuse; beginning with guitar layering that James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett execute perfectly every time. The title track is a 10-minute epic that begins with an intricate melody followed by James Hetfield ranting about the corruption of the courts of justice. Metallica treats us to another solo song ‘To Live Is To Die’ where Metallica really unleash their inner-progressive nature. However, ‘One’ and ‘The Shortest Straw’ are the stars of the show. ‘One’ is an all-time Metallica classic that talks about the suffering of a soldier that cannot talk, hear, see or walk after being hit by a landmine. The song is endorsed widely for its dramatic melodies, dark lyrics, possibly Kirk Hammett’s best solo ever, and most of all the chemistry between each band member is on point. ‘The Shortest Straw’ gives light to Lars Ulrich’s sensational drumming ability; despite the fact he is constantly and unfairly criticised for his ‘technical incapability’; who cares? …And Justice For All ends Metallica’s ‘Thrash’ era on a high which would, during the next 20 years, come tumbling down. (LISTEN)

2. Ride The Lightning (1984)

Well it was going to be in the top two, wasn’t it? Kill ‘Em All had done its job; now it was time to expand on their success. Imagine yourself ascending to heaven then instantaneously getting sucked in by a lightning vortex. That is Ride The Lightning in a nutshell. ‘Fight Fire With Fire’ begins proceedings and is the greatest opening track of any Metallica album. After Kirk Hammett’s solo, you are subjected to exquisite, unparalleled guitar layering from him and James Hetfield that make ‘Fight Fire With Fire’ delicate as well as atomic. How Hetfield both plays and sings this song live is a complete mystery. Ride The Lightning certainly makes a good first impression.

Then there’s ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’; another all-time Metallica classic based on Ernest Hemmingway’s novel of the same name. The lyrics do all the talking as they set the scene of the Spanish Civil War. Metallica made a bold move with ‘Fade To Black’, another masterpiece that makes good use of acoustic chord progressions; something unheard of in thrash metal at the time. No matter, ‘Fade To Black’ was a triumph that keeps the theme of pain and suffering that upholds this album going with lyrics like “Emptiness is filling me / To the point of agony”.  ‘Creeping Death’ is where Kirk Hammett can raise his pick up high; shredding that’s so fast you’d wonder if his fingertips disappeared. The minor chord-infested solo song ‘The Call Of Ktulu’ concludes Ride The Lightning that leaves you stranded in your own imaginary thunderstorm. Not only an amazing Metallica album but also a thrash metal relic. An album filled with depressive lyricism that somehow makes you feel so alive! (LISTEN)

1. Master Of Puppets (1986)

This is it ladies and gentlemen; Metallica’s heavy metal utopia. 1986 was the year where thrash metal towered over all other sub-genres of metal with albums like Reign In Blood (Slayer) and Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? (Megadeth) selling copies by the thousands. Master Of Puppets was no exception. At this point in their career, Metallica knew who they were and what they wanted to achieve. This album drills deep into their psyche and exposes their darkest thoughts. For example, James Hetfield once said “There’s a good and bad side of a battery. We were pretty good at the negative”. Hence the first track ‘Battery’ was born; blending power chords together for a wild ride through Hetfield’s mind.

Let’s be honest, ‘Master Of Puppets’ cannot be fathomed by words (but I will try anyway). As soon as you hear those four magical power chords, you want to crank the volume up until you cause an earthquake. No other song, ever, encapsulates the horrors of drug abuse quite like the title track. “Chop your breakfast on a mirror” is the greatest line on the album and possibly of any Metallica song in history. Throw in an unforgettable riff, a heart-pounding chorus, a melodic interlude, a guitar solo that distorts your face, and the results are staggering. Reminiscent of the album artwork, ‘Disposable Heroes’ describes soldiers as expendable tools of governments. The moment that James Hetfield screams “I was born for dying!” coupled with the blood-pumping riffs, this makes you feel the hatred and frustration fuelling this song.

The instrumental ‘Orion’ is without a doubt Metallica’s solo song centrepiece. A tribute to Cliff Burton’s unprecedented and inspiring skills as a bass player that proved the man was a genius. But let’s not gloss over the guitar licks during the middle section, which are sublime. ‘The Thing That Should Not Be’ and ‘Welcome Home (Sanitarium)’ contribute as further substantial evidence for the timeless legacy of Master Of Puppets. All of this is only the tip of the iceberg for why Master Of Puppets is the greatest Metallica album. It is a rare album where every track is sensational to hear when the headphones are plugged in. No other Metallica album ticks this box. So how Master Of Puppets, or even Ride The Lightning, never charted at number one and yet Load, Reload and St. Anger did is difficult to get your head round. Every song has its purpose and not just there to fill the void; even the less well-known ‘Leper Messiah’ and ‘Damage Inc.’ deserve some credit. All you need do now is go and listen to it. Now! (LISTEN)