Essential Metallica: Four Must-Hear Metallica Albums

Not that the first name in metal needs any introduction, but there really can never really be enough said about Metallica. And while this may be a revisit of sorts, if you still have not heard any or all of these four albums, it’s time to send your ears back in time. Audiophiles make note, attending F1 Rocks New Delhi and Rock in India Bangalore without owning these albums, is blasphemy.

Master of Puppets
1986
This is it folks, the quintessential thrash album. No rock schooling is complete without paying allegiance and scratching multiple loops of this CD. Raw, choppy, angry and aggressive ”“ Master of Puppets expresses metal perfectly. Even though the album is not best favoured  in hardcore fan circles, the title track, at nine minutes long, has become a worldwide anthem with its hummable interlude section. One of its shining moments, Master of Puppets contains a lengthy instrumental penned by bassist Cliff Burton, which lends a tranquil demeanor.

Key tracks: ”˜Disposable Heroes,’ ”˜Damage Inc.’

”¦And Justice For All
1988
Thrash metal was just getting noticed and alongside the pinup-dirty rock act Bon Jovi, Metallica released ”¦And Justice For All, which coincided with the release of the former’s album  New Jersey. And Justice For All would go on to become a defining moment in metal, giving metal heads  ”˜One,’ the war anthem that has topped many single charts and lists on its own steam. Really, no more reasons required.

Key tracks: ”˜Blackened,’ ”˜One.’

Metallica [aka The Black Album]
1991
If I had a plectrum for every time I heard anyone say how life-changing, mind-altering this album has been; I’d barter a deal with Gibson and become a millionaire. By far, Metallica’s most selling record, The Black Album¸ became the definitive metal guide for its sheer raw sound and heavy production. The slower, darker tone of the record set a new benchmark for metal, with songs like ”˜Enter Sandman’ and ”˜The Unforgiven.’ Interestingly this year marks the 20^th anniversary of the album, that was originally released on August 31, 1991.

Key Tracks: ”˜Enter Sandman,’ ”˜Unforgiven.’

S&M
1999
The year when Metallica went ahead and did what no heavy act had ever done before. The band recorded a live two-disc anthology, of their greatest hits, with the San Francisco conducted by Michael Kamen. Facing its sure dosage of heavy criticism on how a symphony and metal can never really mix, the album went on to rake in quite a few numbers on CD sales. Some of the songs like ”˜Human’ have never been performed again. Still the horns trumpet, stings blast and Hetfield growls add up to one of the most interestingly brilliant tunes ever played.

Key tracks: ”˜Four Leaf Clover,’ ”˜Nothing Else Matters’

Photo Credit: Soren Starbird