Top 10 Best Metallica Songs

Metallica is one of the most iconic and influential heavy metal bands of all time. Formed in 1981, the band has been a driving force in the genre for over four decades, producing a plethora of classic songs that have become the anthems of a generation. With their innovative songwriting, virtuosic musicianship, and powerful live performances, Metallica has cemented its place in music history as one of the greatest bands ever.

Choosing just ten of the best Metallica songs is no easy task, as the band has an extensive catalog of timeless classics that have stood the test of time. From their early thrash metal days to their later, more experimental albums, Metallica has consistently delivered memorable and powerful tracks that continue to inspire and entertain fans around the world. In this top ten list, we'll be exploring some of the greatest songs in the Metallica discography, examining what makes each track so special and why it deserves a place on any metal fan's playlist.
The Top Ten
1 One

My three favorite songs of all time are One, Inside the Fire by Disturbed, and Surfacing by Slipknot, but One is the ultimate best song that has ever been created, in my opinion. The song is so good, I can almost feel the incapacitated soldiers' pain that you hear in the first half and the anger that you hear in the second half. Such a good job they did with the lyrics. I love the beautiful guitar play in the intro, the miserable-sounding verses and choruses, the fast-paced, angry singing (nearly screaming), and the awesome solos in this song. I have listened to it many hundred times and will hear it again thousands of more.

With this being the first Metallica song that I ever listened to, One really served as a gateway to me becoming the metal fan I am today. But to be honest, I didn't know what to expect when I first listened to the intro. However, as soon as the tempo picked up, I became hooked.

I began listening to some of their other songs, like Enter Sandman, For Whom The Bell Tolls, and Fuel, and I began to fall in love with the band (for a lack of a better term). Every time this song plays on the radio or comes up on my playlist, I feel nostalgia as I remember the first time I heard this song. This is how you craft a damn metal ballad, no less one covering such a deep topic as war. It's a masterpiece from beginning to end.

This single piece pretty much defines all of Metallica. It has the soft, echoey guitar, the reverb-y drums, the great lyrics, the distorted guitar, and of course, that memorable solo at the end that rivals Eric Johnson's and Slash's solos. Also, it's fun to play on guitar!

This song does not adhere to one genre. Rather, it goes through all of rock music. Most of the verses are soft rock, although they sound like they could be harder. Nirvana and Foo Fighters probably would not be known without this song, especially the chorus and the bridge into the machine gun part, which started grunge. After that, the machine gun riff may have invented groove metal, so we only know Pantera from this song. The rest is just thrash metal, but it is a great example of shredding.

2 Master of Puppets

Despite it being an 8 minute song, I could listen to this the whole way through all day. As a 13 year old kid, I seem to be the only one these days who doesn't listen to Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. Hard Rock and Metal 4 life!

No doubt, this is the best Metallica song ever! I can only reiterate how great the vocals, riffs, bass, drums, and all that awesomeness are! But for me, the best part of the song is that the lyrics are about drugs. Ahem, let me rephrase that. The lyrics are about the negative effects of drugs. Next time you listen to it, listen closely to the lyrics or look them up, and you'll see that they are describing how drugs mess you up completely. It's not often that you'll find a heavy metal song that isn't glamorizing drugs but putting them down. Sweetness of a song.

Great song. Hetfield's voice isn't technically great, but it sounds awesome on this song, and his rhythm guitar is spot-on, especially the solo in the soft part. Hammett plays awesome lead guitar, the solo is awesome, and he overall has some awesome licks. Cliff Burton, who wrote the entire soft part of the song, plays some awesome bass on this, and the riffs are so awesome. Also, one of the few Metallica songs where Lars doesn't suck.

The greatest Metallica song ever... amazing vocals and a guitar solo by James, a perfect guitar riff by Kirk, mind-blowing bass by Cliff, and standout drumming by Lars.

3 Fade to Black

An incredible masterpiece. More meaningful than One or Master, and it has one of the most incredible guitar solos ever. This song is incredibly deep and should be number one. I have never heard a song so wonderfully composed to be soft and pleasant but still heavy and epic. The way it fades away at the end stays true to the title. The musicianship with Kirk's shredding, Cliff's epic bass skills, James' singing, and Lars' drums, this song could not possibly be better. It takes the best of all music and combines it into one amazing song. Greatest song ever, in my opinion, and Metallica should get more credit for this song than they do.

The epic solo can stand toe to toe with the best Metallica solos, but the driving backing guitar and drums accompanying it give me the chills every time I hear it. It's one of the greatest pieces of music ever made in my opinion. I tend to have different opinions than most Metallica fans, but to me, this is easily their best song ever, followed (not so closely) by One and Wherever I May Roam. Master of Puppets and For Whom The Bell Tolls round out my top 5. Then Creeping Death, Nothing Else Matters, Ride The Lightning, Battery, and Enter Sandman.

It is hard to think of any other band creating a song that speaks on such a timeless social issue, that also has one of the best riffs that hits your soul every single time. Truly listening and understanding the lyrics to this song will open your mind to a new state of music you never thought possible. I always love listening to a song a few times before looking at the lyrics, and honestly, I have never been more shocked to learn the true depth of a song than when I learned this one. Best Metallica riff, and best transitions. It should be #1.

I sometimes think that the people who vote for this are not true Metallica fans. They only know a few songs by them, like Enter Sandman, One, and Master of Puppets, then they vote for them because that's all they know. I've been listening to Metallica for years and Fade to Black is still my favorite song by them. Most of my top 10 contains songs from Kill 'em All and Ride the Lightning and there's barely any of that on this top 10 list. People are really missing out if they are only listening to the popular songs.

4 For Whom the Bell Tolls

This is my all-time favorite song by Metallica. It has one of the heaviest riffs I have ever heard by Metallica, and the intro is destructive. The song is based on the war in Spain, I think. It deserves a spot in my top 3, in my opinion.

Great instrumental at the beginning, exploding into lyrics that will make your soulless piece of meat, you call a heart, skip a beat every 7 seconds. If you don't want to ride the lightning, next time, wear rubber boots.

My god, what can I say about this gem? The legendary opening of the song, one that a live version simply hasn't been able to capture. The rest of the song feels powerful and holds your attention. You don't realize it's about to end until it does, and then you're left wishing it was longer than the original five or so minutes. However, I feel increasing the length of time would have been a detriment to the song.

This song is one of the best songs by Metallica. The beginning of the song just ignites a thunder inside, which is then unleashed through the instruments. It is highly recommended as a perfect concert song as well. The lyrics of the song are realistic and meaningful, which is also very commendable! Well, I find it better than "One" and "Nothing Else Matters," and I expected it to be ranked at 3rd or 4th position...

5 Enter Sandman

This song makes me feel like I can run into a war zone, smash through a concrete wall, and jump off a cliff. I know the song is overplayed, but how is this not number one or two? The intro, the riff, and the line "off to never-never land"...

I remember seeing the "One" video on MTV before I became a Metallica fan. That song had to grow on me, but the same is not true for "Enter Sandman." I remember seeing the video on MTV and watching it over and over. I loved the song and went out and bought the Black Album as a 14-year-old within days of its release. I've been a fan ever since. Classic!

I find it funny that if you tell another Metallica fan this is your favorite song of theirs, they automatically assume you must be a casual who just doesn't truly know their true potential. I've listened to Metallica more than most artists, and I can honestly tell you this is my favorite. There's nothing wrong with that. This song is a masterpiece and every bit deserves its popularity, unlike some (Nothing Else Matters, Hardwired, Seek and Destroy).

Overplayed, yes. But that's not the song's fault; the fault lies with unimaginative DJs. Forget all of that overplayed B.S. It's easily one of the top rock songs of all time. If everyone can recognize it, and yes, it's overplayed, yet you still like it a lot, it testifies to how great the song is to be able to overcome all of that baggage! Songs like this come along rarely! Don't minimize this song's greatness because it might not be your personal favorite, for whatever reason. But to deny this song's place in rock history is just stupid! Easily the best song ever from Metallica, nothing comes close!

6 Creeping Death

Creeping Death actually has the first breakdown in metal. This song is also, in my opinion, the best song off of Ride the Lightning. Yes, it's better than both For Whom the Bell Tolls and Fade to Black combined.

The best song on "Ride The Lightning," and while I don't think it is their "greatest song," in a way, I think it might be their most astonishing musical achievement. It's a perfectly constructed song, and nearly every aspect of it is perfect. Every riff is incredible, James's vocals are the best in any song he's done, the guitar tone is full and crunchy but not compressed or limited at all - it just roars. The lyrics are fantastic, and the guitar solo is the best guitar solo Kirk Hammett ever did, in my opinion. His solo in "One" doesn't even really compare, I think. It's definitely flashy and fast as hell, but it carries no emotional interest or powerful musical moments.

This is Metallica at their best. Anybody who thinks "Enter Sandman" is great just because it's popular has no taste. Forty million views on YouTube? So what. McDonald's sells billions of burgers, but that doesn't make it the best restaurant in America, just the easiest.

Great referencing of a Biblical story is shown in the lyrics and interviews regarding "Ride the Lightning." What makes the song truly memorable is when it is played live, with its remarkable improvisations, intense musicianship, and the energy the song exudes.

Fun fact: The song acquired its name from the late bassist Cliff Burton (1962 - 1986) while watching the film "The Ten Commandments."

7 Ride the Lightning

The only way to follow up a perfect slab of brutality like Fight Fire With Fire is with a perfect riff. Ride The Lightning is a perfect riff, which was written by Lars nonetheless!

This should be in the top 5 at least. It has the best intro ever, very heavy and moving riffs, amazing lyrics, the most metal vocals you can ever hear from James, a very well-written and executed guitar solo by Kirk, solid drumming by Lars, and legendary bass by Cliff, which you can hear throughout the song. Seriously, this is Metallica at its peak!

I'm not too big on Metallica (they're probably the most overrated metal band ever). But I still respect them nonetheless. Songs like Ride The Lightning and Battery are bangers and should be played at every single house party!

How is this not first and second? This is a hard but obvious choice. Either MOP and Ride the Lightning. Probably their most famous songs, yet this one isn't (as I make this vote) in the top 10 even, never mind top 2! I even grew up listening to this song probably more than just about any other song.

8 Nothing Else Matters

This song is the meaning of music, the heart's art. Angels sing this work of art to the sinners in hell, one single time, letting the sound of silence echo in their souls. Far from the heart, when this piece of sky hits the eardrum, the trust you seek is found for a concise moment.

A passing moment. This song is a lamentation, the funeral and the birth of trust in proximity. Longing. Music is beyond time. The sound touches me and I never care, and I know. We are forever. I found a different view, a different way of looking at people, at distance, at the world, at life, at the spirit. And that is when I realize that nothing else matters.

No, nothing else matters.

James Hetfield is awesome in this song. And his solo is soul-stirring. Great piece of music.

Not the normal tempo or style of a Metallica song, but I believe that makes the song all the more special. It perfectly exemplifies the depth of the band, proving they can deliver terrific riffs and loud lyrics and also sing softly with a slow melody. One of my personal favorites and should be higher up on this list.

How on Earth is this song not in the first position? Beautiful intro, great solo, and James sings it with his clear voice, never as clear as in this song! EVERYBODY loves it, despite not everybody being a Metallica fan. There are no two ways about it, it's the most known and best song of Metallica! MASTERPIECE!

9 Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

This song has some of the angriest lyrics Metallica ever had. "Dream the same thing every night/I see our freedom in my sight/No locked doors, No windows barred/No things to make my brain seem scarred/Sleep my friend and you will see/That dream is my reality/They keep me locked up in this cage/Can't they see it's why my brain says Rage/Sanitarium, leave me be/Sanitarium, just leave me alone! " I won't say these lyrics are meaningful because the only people that ever called me crazy were for OTHER reasons. But James seems to be really angry in this song telling people to leave him "Alone! "

While the lyrics aren't too bad, the riffs and solos are just really good. The riff at 4:51 was the main reason this is one of my favorite Metallica songs, and the solos before and after the 4:51 riffs were epic. The ending was nice, and the intro was one of Metallica's best.

The best part about the song is that there isn't really any Metallica song quite like it, unlike Damage Inc. ...more

"Keep him tied, it makes him well
He's getting better, can't you tell? "

There's something so overwhelmingly chilling about that line. This song isn't as much about living with mental health issues as it is about how those with said health issues are seen by the outside world, particularly in the professional field. It paints a picture of apathy and indifference regarding those suffering mental health. An idea that they somehow know their own minds less well than those studying them. Doctors, psychiatrists. People who are supposed to provide a helping hand but often end up providing a numbing agent in the guise of a "cure".
Because when someone complies to norms, they're easier to deal with, and because when they can't comply the fault must doubtfully be theirs.
Because you're labeled as crazy. And what the heck do you know.

Perhaps I'm being to pretensions here but that's truly how I see this song. As an accusatory finger at the patronizing, out of sight, out ...more

Am I the only one who thinks that Metallica's best work is with their ballads? Fade To Black, One, The Unforgiven, and most notably Welcome Home (Sanitarium) are amazing. The verse chord progression in this song is so beautiful and haunting at the same time; I love the use of the 10/4 time signature. The lyrics are amazing too. This is real music about the harsh realities faced by many in this unfortunate world we live in. I wish more metal bands made haunting ballads this great.

One of the best songs on their best album. Awesome intro and kickass riffs. I'm sorry to all of you who don't agree with this, but to have a ripper like this below songs like The Day That Never Comes and Unforgiven 2 is disgusting. Those songs aren't even metal, so vote songs like this up and send a message to Metallica wherever they are, so that maybe they'll start writing heavy metal again.

10 Battery

Battery is the best song on Master of Puppets in my humble opinion. It's also a great live show opener. Metallica opened the Summer Sanitarium Tour way back in 2003 or 2004 at the Horseshoe (Ohio Stadium) with this song. The energy and aggressiveness were phenomenal. It was definitely a memorable moment.

Probably the best opening track on a metal album. The acoustic guitar opens the song nicely just to forcefully kick you back in your seat with the overdriven guitar taking the place of that sweet acoustic bit. Then the song just gets better from there. The vocals are some of the best delivered by Hetfield, and the guitar never gets boring or annoying. And just as this song is my favorite by Metallica, Battery has my favorite guitar solo of any Metallica song.

This is Metallica, and to me, it sets the tone for Master of Puppets with much more power, brute force, and heart-stopping intensity. It grabs you by the throat and pulls you in, its deceptive intro turning into an all-out killer thrash that reminds us Metallica can be just as brutal as Slayer, Kreator, and other thrash greats.

The song "Battery" leads off the best Metallica album of all time. It encompasses what Metallica is all about. "Battery," "One," "Master of Puppets," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" - now that's a top 5.

The Contenders
11 The Unforgiven

Metallica's best song overall is a beautiful song that James puts his all into. The acoustic intro is awesome, and it's also really heavy as well. Kirk's solo is also phenomenal. It is the Black Album's gem. When I was 14 years old back in 1991, I would have said Sad But True or Enter Sandman is the best song on the album. But when I hit my 30s, I understood the song by living life and appreciated the overall composition a lot more.

This song just makes any day better. It always makes me feel good, no matter if I'm angry. I just blast this song, and everything becomes better. How many single hits are in this album? Five? How many other artists or "artists," if you can call some of them that way, have ever accomplished that? I don't think it's possible anymore. Metallica is simply the best. I thank my best bud ten thousand times for introducing me to this band. They're just... speechless, stunning how mere man can compose such amazing work! No more the time when artists were composing with their hearts and souls. Now it's just repetitive crap with auto-tune. You can just take the soundtrack of one of their songs and take the lyrics from another song and put them together; you won't know the difference. I have a friend who keeps saying that all they do is scream and make noise and that rock/metal is dead. Then he says, "RAP is more popular because look at the views on YouTube." SIGH!

This is Metallica's best overall song in my humble opinion. I have and can continuously listen to this song over and over for a couple of hours and not get tired of it. I always turn the volume way up for it and sing along. Brilliant.

This song has a great melody and tempo, mixed in with powerful vocals from Hetfield. This song requires a deeper understanding of the lyrics in order to fully grasp the effect of the song, like many other Metallica classics. Once you decipher the true meaning of the song, it truly becomes one of their best, if not their absolute best. I love this song, and if I had never made the effort to learn the lyrics, I would not feel this way. There's nothing better than a song with a profound underlying message.

12 Seek & Destroy

The "Kill 'em All" version is 6:56, but the "Ride the Lightning" version is 6:41. One thing I noticed was that the solo was sped up a bit, and I think the experimentation was really, really good. The only other version of this song was on "St. Anger." This song is one of the best on "Kill 'Em All," but upon further evaluation, the song will be on the "Ride the Lightning" "What If" album.

"Seek and Destroy" will make the transfer from "KEA" to "RTL."

Final decision.

Seek and Destroy 15th? This list should look something like: 1. Master, 2. Fade to Black, 3. One, 4. Seek and Destroy, 5. The Unforgiven... I'm sorry, but this riff is legendary, the solos are amazing, and the vocals are raw and filled with anger. That's what thrash metal is all about, isn't it? This was one of their earliest songs. If this song had never existed, there would be no Metallica.

Kill 'Em All is probably the most underrated Metallica album ever. Not only is it the most underrated, it is also the best Metallica album. Hetfield's vocals are amazing, and everyone plays with more energy. "Seek and Destroy" is probably the best song on the album, but the whole album is great!

Best guitar ever! My son introduced me to Metallica through playing the songs on guitar for me. Now, when riding around, I listen to them all the time and think of both my sons.

13 ...And Justice for All

This song is really underrated. It is epic; it's gorgeous, it's pure insanity. The whole "And Justice for All" album kicks ass, but this song (side to side with "Frayed Ends of Sanity") just kills any other you might think is the best Metallica song. It has a complex instrumental structure, a rising atmosphere that envelops you until the end. The concept and idea in the song are masterfully worked; the solos are great, and the breakdown after the solo is just orgasmic.

It sounds hollow, just like Doris. It is a perfect example that thrash metal can be complex and elegant, and not just speedy rough crap.

I think that this is Metallica's greatest song ever made, I really do. Unfortunately the production is just terrible, so I always listen to the remixed/remastered version on YouTube by Ahdy Khairat; it has perfect production. Anyways, it's certainly among the most epic songs James has wrote; the main riff is so mean and the harmonies are incredible, with some of them sounding glorious and broad and others sounding tragic and dark. All the riffs are incredible, including the main riff based on Lar's drumbeat, as well as the jumper riff, the dark chorus riff, everything... it's just so epic.

This really is Metallica's best song. The intro riff gives me goosebumps every time I hear it, the main riff is brutal and dramatic, James' vocals are growly and on point, Kirk's solo is astonishingly amazing, and Lars' best drum work is incorporated. Even in the fan remasters, the bass is excellent, and I still can't forgive Lars for what he did to Jason. This song screams Metallica from start to finish and deserves to be number one, without a doubt!

Since Metallica is my favorite band, choosing my favorite song is like a father choosing his favorite child. All things considered, I decided on "...And Justice for All" because it incorporates everything I love about Metallica: brutal riffs (1:20, 2:00), a killer solo (5:05-5:55), complicated rhythms (syncopation, tempo changes, and yes... GREAT drumming) (:50-1:00, 6:10-6:22, 8:40, etc.), epicness (it is a nearly 10-minute song), and a great message (the corruption of government and humanity's battle and hopelessness against it). And so, with not too little grief, I cast my vote. God help me, I love all their songs...

14 The Four Horsemen

Their second best song ever, I think, and off their first album. Simply epic. James's screamy vocals are pretty nuts, the "AW YEAH YEAH" is so cool, the guitar tone is raw and rips through the production, and Cliff's bass is perfectly produced so that it cuts through the rest of the production without being overpowering in volume, just as good bass production should be. The lyrics are sweet, and the riffs are all epic. It's just so well constructed and is a clear precursor to Metallica's later epics to come like the title tracks for Ride The Lightning, Master of Puppets, and...And Justice For All.

Funny to watch guys who think they're voting for a Metallica song. This is Mustaine's song; listen to the first album of Megadeth, and you'll hear this song. It's only played faster on the Megadeth album because he didn't want it to sound like Metallica's song. All those who voted here without even knowing that this is Dave's kick-ass song should read more about the history of Metallica and should acknowledge that Dave did a good job at Metallica, and unfortunately, he got kicked out or maybe fortunately...

The only thing I don't like about this song is how slow it is. The original song, "The Mechanix," was a lot faster and had different lyrics. While The Four Horsemen had the better stuff Mechanix didn't feature, it wasn't as fast.

Solution: Go on YouTube and speed up the song to 125%.

This song is simply amazing. From the engaging chaotic lyrics to the awesome guitar riffs and solos, this song is outstanding. In my own opinion, this is Metallica's best song, and I believe anyone would agree upon first listen.

15 The Day that Never Comes

The first half of the song is one of my favorite ballad-type beginnings to any song ever written, but as the song progresses, the intensity, anxiety, speed, and complexity of the band take over, thus making it one of the most memorable songs Metallica has ever written.

Being a 16-year-old in 2012, 90% of my peer group listened to Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and others. Thus, I did not listen to Metallica until recently when one of my friends made me listen to this song! And my world opened up to Metallica. Therefore, this still remains my favorite Metallica song. Other songs I loved too were Fade to Black, Master of Puppets, and One.

I think everyone can agree that, in general, the best Metallica songs are either from the first four albums or the Black Album (even this list suggests the same). The fact that this one is not in any of them, and the fact that it is at least on par with their best songs on their entire discography, proves that this song deserves to be in at least the top 10.

I remember reading in a "Guitar World" magazine about the Top 100 Metallica songs article, and this song was ranked 75th. I thought something was seriously wrong with that. This was the song that first got me into Metallica in 2008 when it came out, and I love listening to it. This is my all-time favorite song by any band.

16 Disposable Heroes

Great picking pattern that is guaranteed to make you rock. Proof that James Hetfield did not work out in the gym but played songs like this. Try not to dislocate your shoulder or arm while you practice it. Do not attempt at home. Two years and many dead arms later, I can manage it for one verse. James Hetfield is a very talented alien.

Disposable Heroes is amazing. The bass in this song is unmatched. No other song has nearly as good bass in it. Everything else just enhances it. The bass is amazing, and everything else just makes the song more powerful and hardcore. Brilliant song. I will never get tired of it.

Riff after epic riff complemented with one of Kirk's best solos ever, intense dark lyrics, brutal rhythm parts chugging away for 8+ minutes, a real test of stamina that keeps building and building. You get exhausted just listening to it! One of their best tracks, easily.

A legendary song, with legendary gallop riffs to boot. I'm convinced this is their best song off of Master of Puppets. I feel it is a much better song than the title track. This and Battery are just pure thrash metal.

17 Sad but True

This is one of, if not Metallica's heaviest songs with the best lyrics. This song is meant to be heard loud, with the bass turned up. It pumps me up every time I listen to it, and I also sing along.

Sad but True has a profound effect on all of us. It materializes the struggle with the inner side of mankind in a way that it appears as two completely different individuals, ultimately revealing that they are actually two sides of the same coin.

I think this is the ultimate heavy metal song. If you are new to the heavy metal genre, this is a great song to start with. What I like about Metallica is that they are heavy metal, but they still have rhythm.

Awesome Riff, it is definitely underrated. How is it not placed above The Unforgiven? It's a good song, but still, Sad But True is probably better. It has such a killer riff.

18 Blackened

That intro, that pace, those riffs, the meaningful and cheeseless lyrics, and probably the best display of Ulrich's drumming ever (it's hard to believe that the guy who plays in this album is the same as the one who played in the following). It's a pity the bass is almost mute, but you can search for enhanced versions on YouTube. It was a hard pick between this one and "Orion" and "One." But there's something in this juggernaut that moves me in a unique way. Superb.

As much as I love songs like Suicide & Redemption, Fade to Black, That Was Just Your Life, and a classic Spite Out the Bone. This song is what made me love the gods of metal Metallica, Blackened is just a masterpiece, and love em or hate em they are the real reason why metal became so popular as well of the likes of Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Judas Priest, and so many more this is an instant classic!

The rapid and extraordinary intro has to be one of Metallica's greatest. I think there are few songs which are in front on this list that I think aren't as good as Blackened, like Nothing Else Matters and Hardwired. The solo in this song is brilliant, and I think that the whole song, all around, is a complete masterpiece. It definitely should be higher up on this list.

I'm a huge fan of Ride The Lightning and a big fan of Master Of Puppets. In my opinion, Justice was their best album, as it progressed metal from thrash to a unique place in-between Thrash, Heavy Metal, Prog, Neo-Classical Metal, and nearly-Death but not quite. It was full of the right riffs, unlike Death Magnetic, which was full of the wrong riffs. Justice For All truly defines 'Metal'.

19 Orion

I used to skip over this song when I first listened to Master of Puppets just because the intro was so long. I wish I could go back and slap myself because I was missing out. Orion is an absolute masterpiece, probably the most well-composed music Metallica has ever done. Awesome bass from Cliff, ridiculously heavy riffs, and a beautiful winding bridge.

Why is this masterpiece, showcasing the entire band's talent, and being one of the signature songs of the late Cliff Burton not even in the top 15?! I understand that top 3 or even top 5 or 7 could be reaching due to the sheer number of great Metallica songs, but this definitely deserves more recognition than #16!

This is not only my favorite Metallica song. It may well be, in my opinion, the greatest rock/metal song ever. It's definitely in my top 5 of all time. More than once over the last 25 plus years, I've introduced friends to Metallica with this song and they can't help but admit that it totally kicks ass!

Not just one of the best instrumentals of all time but maybe the most soothing sound in the history of music, I used to babysit my youngest brother as a baby. It was hard to put him to sleep at first until I (14 years old at the time) would just put this one. Before the second bar would start, he would always be passed out. #BabySitting101

20 Wherever I May Roam

This is the combination of great lyrics with great music. "Wherever I may roam" is probably the most universal lyrics Metallica has ever produced. Even people living 1000 years ago could connect with the message behind it. No matter what we think, every one of us struggles for independence. These great lyrics (truly a masterpiece) are wrapped in very stimulating and exciting music.

Definitely in 1 to 3 of Metallica, for those fans who have not listened to this song, please sit and seriously listen to these songs. This is what Metallica is. The song will take you to a different world. James' vocals are outstanding. Listen to its riff, man! Kirk did it best. The lyrics are good too.

This song deserves to be in the top tens. One of the best songs I've ever heard. Metallica live forever. The lyrics make me think about myself in another aspect. Truly deserves to be in the top ten.

The outro to 'Wherever I May Roam' exemplifies Kirk Hammett as a virtuoso, rather than the teen icon he is presumed to be. This, along with the solo in 'Creeping Death,' are the paragons of his illustrious career. People who think 'Master' or 'One' is better simply lack taste!

21 Damage, Inc.

Tough to choose between Dyers Eve, Disposable Heroes, Fade To Black, and this. The intro makes me think of Cliff rising to heaven with angel wings, wearing his denim and Misfits shirt, smoking a cigarette, and giving everyone the finger. Of course, he didn't die until after this song, but still.

This is absurd! How could this song be so low? "Damage" has the fastest instrumentals of all time. James says, "GO!" and it erupts into some of the best stuff ever created. I'm disappointed, Metallica fans, that so many of you have overlooked this gem.

Out of all the Metallica songs played live, this is the only song that they introduce as a nice and slow song. It's an epic surprise for anyone who hasn't heard it, and it's also one of Jason Newsted's favorites.

Damage Inc. and Leper Messiah are my top two, but they are never played live because, I guess, people like Seek and Destroy, which is a mediocre song at best.

22 Dyers Eve

I really don't know why all the Megadeth and Slayer fans think Metallica isn't thrash. Sure, they do have three slower albums, but the rest are hardcore. And you only have to listen to this song to understand what I am saying. I have listened to this song 330 times on my iPod, and the reason why is because of the hardcore riff, bone-crunching lyrics, and a skull-cracking solo mixed in with a very fast tempo throughout the whole song... THRASH 4 LIFE!

People obviously don't know Metallica very well. This is their most underrated and amazing song ever. It's pure anger. Every time I listen to this song, I feel like going on a killing spree. I love every single song in the top ten, but this should for sure be up there at the one spot. I'm not sure why, but this song is too damn low.

By far one of the most thrashing and complex songs they ever did, it should be in the Top Ten and for some people, number one! The whole band goes full tilt throughout the entire song, making it a definite thrash classic.

One of the most awesome songs from ...And Justice For All. The super fast drumming, the awesome vocal delivery... What's not to like about this song? This should definitely be on my Top 10 Metallica songs. LONG LIVE METAL!

23 Whiplash

This is the best early thrash Metallica song, along with "No Remorse." "Kill 'em All" is a great album that I appreciate more and more as I get older. But these two songs are the gems, in my humble opinion.

Songs like this made them able to progress and build a following throughout the early years. Then you get wee modern punks who think they know it all and call the early stuff crap.

This is one of Metallica's heaviest and fastest songs; it definitely should be in the top 10. The riffs are very good, yet simple, and Dave's (yes, Dave's) solo is awesome.

This song is a fast starter. At the very beginning, I'm banging my head to it. It's badass, to say the least.

24 The Call of Ktulu

The best track to end the best album.

This track is full of atmosphere, epic riffs, excellent bass work (which adds to the atmosphere), and complex drumming.

This track really builds up to that epic ending.

It's actually Dave Mustaine's song. (If you listen to "Hangar 18" by Megadeth, you'll see the riffs are alike.) But Dave was kicked out of Metallica, and that's why they never play it live. By the way, the song's name is "The Call of Ktulu" because Cliff loves "The Call of Cthulhu."

Another song with better lyrics than the music industry of today, but this song has a virus that infects the electronics, causing them to self-destruct, even weapons blow themselves up.

Probably the best instrumental song in the heavy metal history of music. No doubts that should be played during every concert of them. Gold for the Call, silver goes to Orion.

25 Harvester of Sorrow

In my opinion, the intro riff is one of the most driving, darkest, and melodic riffs ever written. It was stuck in my head for three straight days the first time I listened to it. In my opinion, it belongs up there with legends like "Fade to Black" and "Master of Puppets." Right now, it's tied with "Master" for my favorite heavy song, while "Fade to Black" wins for the best ballad.

Here are my favorite Metallica songs:

1. Fade to Black
2. Harvester of Sorrow/Master of Puppets
3. To Live Is to Die
4. For Whom the Bell Tolls
5. Disposable Heroes
6. Nothing Else Matters
7. The Unforgiven
8. Blackened

34? Really? This is literally one of the best Metallica songs there is. The beginning is awesome, vocals are amazing, and the guitar is arguably one of the best, even if simple. I really find it hard to believe that The Day That Never Comes bested this. True Metallica fans wouldn't have this list remotely like it is... All Nightmare Long is better than The Day That Never Comes!

Great song. The lyrics are probably some of the best in Metallica's catalogue, and paired with the spine-crushing riffs, it makes one of the best Metallica songs ever!

Watch the video of the live performance in Seattle in '89. This is why it needs to be in the top 10. One of the best live performance songs they play!

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