Metallica studio albums ranked from worst to best
No. 9 - ReLoad (1997)
Just over a year after Load was released, Metallica unleashed the rest of the album sessions along with some newly recorded material in the form of ReLoad. The band continued to experiment, with songs such as "Fuel", "Prince Charming", and "Attitude" featuring a chugging hard rock edge that was lacking in its predecessor.
Highlights from the album include "Fuel", "The Unforgiven II", and "The Memory Remains", the latter of which was the first song from the band to include a guest vocalist with Marianne Faithfull singing the interlude.
No. 8 - Hardwired...to Self Destruct (2016)
Picking up where they left off with Death Magnetic, Hardwired features a collection of high-energy thrash songs that will please the die-hard fans. Right from the jump, the lead single "Hardwired" is an aggressive full-throttle stadium anthem that is one of the band's best opening tracks in years.
At the same time, the band gives a nod to their 90s era with groovy hard rock numbers such as "Now That We’re Dead" and "Murder One". This balance between thrash metal and hard rock creates for a welcoming listening experience.
No. 7- 72 Seasons (2023)
At 77 minutes long, 72 Seasons takes a lot of patience for listeners, but in the end it is well worth your time. The lead single "Lux Aeterna" is a throwback jam that would fit well on the Kill ‘Em All album which is fitting considering that this album was released 40 years after the debut album hit stores. The album is strong lyrically as James Hetfield hits hard on the first 18 years of your life (72 Seasons) that make you who you are today.
In addition to the impressive lyric material and vocal delivery, 72 Seasons is full of great riffs and harmonies that show authenticity rather than a band just phoning it in, which is easy to do four decades into your career.
The band pulled all the stops on the album closer "Inamorata", which is the longest original track in the band’s discography to date at just over 11 minutes in length. Despite its length, the song does not drag on and is the perfect way to round out this latest collection of high-powered songs in Metallica’s legendary career.