Best Metallica Albums

The best Metallica albums are an interesting mix of musical experiments from one of the most popular heavy rock bands of all time. Metallica has released albums that range from garage quality to playing with a full orchestra. Once you start listening to the best Metallica albums you will gain a new appreciation of their musical abilities.

1. "Kill 'Em All" (1983). "Kill 'Em All" was Metallica's first studio album and it helped to pave the way for the huge list of American heavy metal albums that would follow. Songs such as "Seek and Destroy" (1983) and "The Four Horsemen" (1983) are still staples in the Metallica live set list.
2. "Master of Puppets" (1986). As Metallica toured in support of their first two records, they began to amass a huge cult following all over the world. When "Master of Puppets" (1986) was released, it was given the full marketing push by Elektra Records. While the album never charted on the top 10, underground hits such as the title track "Master of Puppets" (1986) and "(Welcome Home) Sanitarium" became arena favorites all over the world. Metallica headed out to open for Ozzy Osbourne to support this record and found that many of the fans in the arenas were there to see Metallica.
3. ". . .And Justice For All" (1988). While Metallica was touring Europe in support of "Master of Puppets" (1986), a bus crash claimed the life of bass player Cliff Burton. Jason Newstead, formerly of the band Flotsam and Jetsam, was given the job as Burton's replacement and Metallica released the album ". . . And Justice For All" (1988). It has been said that part of the hazing of Newstead, and the mourning over the loss of Cliff Burton, was the removal of the bass guitar from the final mix.
4. "Metallica" (1991). The album often referred to as "The Black Album" was released as "Metallica" (1991) and its shorter, more radio friendly hits opened up an entirely new audience to Metallica. The band toured the world in support of "Metallica" (1991) for almost two years. Songs such as "Unforgiven" (1991) and "Enter Sandman" (1991) became radio hits that catapulted the band to headliners of stadium shows all over the world.
5. "S&M" (1999). Of all the albums Metallica ever released, "S&M" (1999) proved to be their boldest statement to date. Recorded in front of a live audience with a full orchestra backing them up, Metallica showed that the only rules they follow are their own.