Every Metallica album ranked: From worst to best

Every single one of Metallica’s 11 studio albums has a place in music history — proving them to be one of the most influential and popular metal bands of all time. From Master of Puppets fully defining their sound and shunting them onto the global stage (with mind-altering guitar riffs) to …And Justice For All and Metallica (The Black Album) finally getting the band the recognition and accolades they deserve, Metallica have been through it all, sometimes faltering, but never failing to give us great music.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, the band went from seeing fellow metal acts as clubs like Whisky a Go Go to pioneering the thrash metal subgenre and ushering it towards the mainstream. Despite lineup changes over the years (from Dave Mustaine leaving to join Megadeath early on to the tragic death of Cliff Burton in the late ‘80s) and periods of infighting, Metallica consistently shows up to do the work. There’s no doubting the literal blood, sweat, and tears they produce in order to continue to be the golden standard in metal.

Over 40 years since their inception, a whole new generation of rock fans are catching onto the metal group — in large part thanks to the popularity of a powerful “Master of Puppets” needle drop in Stranger Things season 4. Now, with the recent release of their latest album 72 Seasons, there’s a whole plethora of music for fans to dive into — quick-paced, aggressive, thrash metal, coupled with slow, deliberate, melodic tunes intertwined with storytelling and socio-political commentary. 

While the band has an expansive discography with no truly bad entries, we went ahead and ranked all of their albums.

Read more: Bring Me The Horizon albums ranked: From worst to best

Every Metallica album ranked

Elektra

11. Load (1996)

Their longest studio album to date, clocking in at just under 80 minutes, Load dips into classic rock, blues, and a touch of country if you listen closely. This is the band’s attempt at changing things up sonically, showcasing their maturity, and while it’s a valiant effort, what’s left is a little disenchanting. There are definitely a few hits — “2 X 4” and “Bleeding Me” particularly shine, highlighting their ability to touch into these genres — but what’s left is slightly lackluster and falls short.

Elektra

10. Reload (1997)

Learning from Load, the band made a notable shift back toward rock on their follow-up that arrived just a year later. While venturing to separate from the thrash-y, speedy metal they’re known for, this is another attempt at reinventing themselves that doesn’t quite hit the mark. There are definitely a couple stand-out, though. “Prince Charming” pushes more into hard-rock than speedy-metal; whereas “Where the Wild Things Are” takes on a slower, more melodic approach sonically, boasting trippy and at times psychedelic harmonies. 

Elektra

9. St. Anger (2003)

Two decades later, St. Anger is still considered one of their most polarizing releases. The album was the last collaboration with producer Bob Rock, who had been with them since 1991, bassist Jason Newsted left prior to recording, and to top it all off, it was made around the time James Hetfield entered rehab for alcoholism and substance abuse. It’s the only album they recorded as a trio. It’s underwhelming and has the sound of a band trying to find its way back into the light. Even still among the surrounding chaos, tracks like “Frantic” and “Shoot Me Again,” with their gritty, unyielding vocals from Hetfield, make this album worth a listen.

Blackened

8. Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)

Eight years between records is a long time to wait for new music, but Metallica tend to play by their own rules, and who can blame them? After the longest gap between releases in their career, Metallica struck back with a bang with their 10th studio album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct. And then a whimper. Another polarizing album like its predecessor St. Anger, Hardwired… was still shaky ground for the group, as they were in the midst of trying to find their footing again. It offers a promising start, as they go back to their thrashing roots without sounding redundant, but it’s downhill from there. The standout? “Atlas, Rise!” clocking in at just under seven minutes, a mirror of “Master of Puppets” with swinging guitar riffs and an anthem of misery and isolation that leaves the audience wanting more.

Blackened

7. 72 Seasons (2023)

Okay, hear us out: Metallica’s latest album is good. Their 11th studio album harkens back to classic Metallica, while also encompassing their evolution as a group. Is it too repetitive and playing too safe? Sure, but it’s consistent with the Metallica we know and love. Arguably, their strongest tracks are the three lead singles: “If Darkness Had a Son,”, “Lux AEterna,” and “Screaming Suicide.” This is Metallica tapping right back to their roots with grungy riffs, razor-sharp harmonies, and cutting away the fat. After years, it’s an album that finds the group  back at their best — and a good introduction to metal for contemporary listeners.

Elektra

6. …And Justice for All (1988)

Following the masterpiece that is Master of Puppets is no easy feat, but this one certainly gives it a run for its money. Angry, angsty, and full of venom, …And Justice for All is ambitious — but almost too much so, as it can’t quite figure out what it wants to be. However, there are gems. “One,” for instance, is a behemoth of a track — a monster, cementing Metallica in the metal ethos. “Blackened,” too, takes on the role of setting the tone for the entirety of the album through Hetfield’s driving guitar and Ulrich’s speedy drums, giving the listener a taste of the radical, invigorating ride they’re in for.  

Warner Bros.

5. Death Magnetic (2008)

Pure electricity. Kirk Hammett truly goes to work on this one, cutting completely loose and letting rip. His solos in “That Was Just Your Life” and “Cyanide” ought to get special mention, as, simply put, they are face-meltingly awesome. Amid criticisms they’d somehow lost touch with the making of St. Anger, they took matters into their own hands by letting the music speak for itself and returned to their heavy roots. The result? An album that re-established them as the kings of metal. 

Megaforce

4. Ride the Lightning (1984)

With all the fire and rage of their debut, Metallica kept up the momentum with their second studio album. A look at war through the lens of metal, the band doesn’t shy away from political commentary. “Fight Fire With Fire” is a look at nuclear destruction, its brutal and harsh guitar riffs showcase Hetfield and Hammett at their finest, while “For Whom The Bell Tolls” gives a chilling depiction of war amid haunting harmonies and instrumentals. Here, Metallica showed they were more than the thrash sound that they put on the map — already innovating and daring to be bold with their sophomore release.

Elektra

3. Metallica (The Black Album) (1991)

A decade into their career at this point, Metallica was out for blood. They wanted to hit the mainstream and they wanted it badly; the confidence is clear in their fifth studio album release. “Enter Sandman,” “Wherever I May Roam,” and “The Unforgiven” helped to solidify Metallica with the general populace. While staying true to their thrasher roots, Metallica experimented by leaning on storytelling and songcraft. The gamble paid off, earning them their first album to top the Billboard 200 and a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1992. 

Megaforce

2. Kill ‘Em All (1983)

The world wasn’t prepared for this; a wall of pure sound and breakneck instrumentals. Their first studio album since forming in 1981, Metallica put everything they had into it, with no expectations. How could they possibly know they’d become the blueprint to the sub-genre that is speed-metal? There’s an innocence here, unlike the rest of their discography, that speaks to that raw, emotional, need to scream and not give a shit who hears it. While their debut didn’t see them crossover into mainstream rock immediately, tracks like “Hit the Lights” with Hetfield’s near-primal, guttural vocals and Ulrich’s headbanging, sprint drums on “Metal Militia” put them on the radar as one’s to watch. Crude, rough, and unapologetic, this is Metallica at their genesis.

Elektra

1. Master of Puppets (1986)

Were you really expecting anything else to be No. 1? This is where everything locked into place and the band truly found its stride. Featuring the band’s solid lineup of James Hetfield (vocals/guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Cliff Burton (bass), and Kirk Hammett (lead guitar), everyone settled into their respective roles. A real synergy between bandmates translated into music, and they created one of the best heavy metal albums of all time. All eight songs barely stop for breath, treating the listener to a little less than an hour of pure, unadulterated, thrash poetry. With heavy hitters like “Battery,” “Master of Puppets,” “Disposable Heroes,” and more sweeping instrumentals in tracks like “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” and “Orion,” the band highlighted their ability to flex and balance both with ease. Considered a masterpiece in the court of public opinion, Metallica prove they’re the masters of metal, indeed.