The Metallica Albums Every Fan Should Own

Metallica’s debut took the intricate riffing of the new wave of British heavy metal and combined it with the velocity and ferocity of hardcore punk. The result was a refreshing underground sound that would soon be dubbed thrash metal. Kill ‘Em All’s precise picking, shredding solos, smooth bass runs, and double-time snare patterns laid the foundation for Metallica’s career and the burgeoning thrash scene that soon followed. Tracks like “Whiplash,” “Jump in the Fire,” and “Seek and Destroy,” have remained fan favorites for over 40 years. Raw, unpolished, and full of fury, Kill ‘Em All is a triumphant opening statement from one of metal’s most notable torchbearers. 

On their second album, Ride the Lightning, Metallica leveled up. Hetfield’s barking voice cut harder in the mix, Hammet’s guitar playing was more varied, Burton pushed bass even further, and Ulrich was at his best. They took the fast tempo of their debut and added more musical and lyrical sophistication. The more polished thrash metal sound on Ride The Lightning features acoustic guitars, extended instrumental passages, and complex harmonies inspired by Burton’s knowledge of music theory.

Hetfield’s lyrics on Ride The Lightning are more socially aware and philosophical as the band began to channel their anger toward those in power. The title track examines capital punishment through the eyes of someone in the electric chair,” “Fight Fire with Fire” takes on the increased threat of nukes, and the iconic “For Whom the Bell Tolls” showcases the horror of modern warfare. The album’s various tempos, harmonic complexities, and progressive leanings would continue to inform Metallica’s output as they set their sights on album number three.

Metallica’s third album, Master Of Puppets, is often cited as one of the greatest metal albums of all time and the record that helped the band break out of the underground and into the mainstream. The group’s hooks and call-and-response lyrics made it more accessible to casual listeners.

The album’s multi-layered arrangements brought a new level of refinement to Metallica’s sound as Master Of Puppets’ textures, twists, and turns are as thrilling as they are cohesive. With its unique blend of unrelenting intensity and melodic sensibilities, Master Of Puppets ushered in a new era that proved heavy music can have mass appeal. At this point, it’s more than a record. It’s a symbol of an era. 

During the promotional tour for Master Of Puppets, Cliff Burton tragically died in a bus accident, so Metallica had to regroup and begin the search for a new bassist. After a series of tryouts with notable musicians like Les Claypool of Primus and Troy Gregory of Prong, the group recruited Jason Newsted, formerly of Flotsam and Jetsam. …And Justice for All didn’t receive the critical acclaim that previous efforts did. Many complaints came from the more introspective tone and largely bass-less mix, which Hetfield and Ulrich pushed for to haze Newsted, which left the record sounding thinner than its predecessors.

However, the album’s complex arrangements, progressive structures, unusual time signatures, and frequent tempo changes make for one of Metallica’s most ambitious efforts. The most popular track from the album, “One” is perhaps the best example of the group’s growing ambitions. Clocking in at over 7 minutes and featuring a slow-burning build into one of Hammett’s most iconic solos, it’s a track that would have felt alien on any other Metallica record. The album bridges the band’s thrash roots and the heavy metal behemoth, The Black Album. 

Metallica’s self-titled album – commonly known as The Black Album – marked a shift in the band’s sound as they began to incorporate slower tempos, stripped-down compositions, and simplified structures. The shift from progressive epics to more conventional songs helped Metallica become more popular than ever as singles like “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” and “Nothing Else Matters” catapulted the album to the top of the charts.

The Black Album’s slower, heavier sound and inclusion of orchestral elements positioned Metallica as the mainstream heavy metal band and one of the best-selling artists of all time. For many fans, the album is the line in the sand between classic Metallica and their more divisive late 1990s and early 2000s records like Load, Reload, and St. Anger. 

After their earth-shattering fifth album, Metallica continued to explore their stripped-down heavy metal side with albums like Load and Reload that incorporated Southern rock, blues rock, and hard rock influences. In 2003, they released the clangy St. Anger to mixed reviews. When it came time to record their ninth album, Death Magnetic, Metallica decided to return to their thrash metal roots, part ways with longtime collaborator Bob Rock, and enlist the services of legendary producer Rick Rubin. 

With Death Magnetic, Metallica put a 21st-century twist on the intertwining guitar harmonies, face-melting solos, and complex structures that made their ‘80s thrash material compelling. While not a perfect record, Death Magnetic is one of the group’s most successful experiments. It’s a glimmer of hope that paved the way for their most recent efforts, Hardwired…To Self Destruct, and 72 Seasons, which have been generally well-received.