Controversial opinions on metal

So it's happened that we've already done all four the years containing the first four Metallica albums. I've come to the conclusion that Ride the Lightning is the weakest of the first four Metallica albums, though it is still an A- album with numerous masterpieces on it.
No, it's the strongest by far. "Escape" being then only weak point. And even then it's tolerable. MoP is the weakest. Plodding and dull and not very memorable.

Ride the Lightning > Kill 'em All > Master of Puppets > And Justice for All

And Justice for All loses points (or whatever) especially because its production is utter trash.
 
The Shortest Straw < all

yeah, and i know you disagree but i'd have 'harvester of sorrow' down there as well. 'escape' is clearly worse than anything on MoP though, 'trapped under ice' arguably is as well. RtL hits high peaks more often though and it's their most economical and atmospheric record overall, still probably my favourite by a hair. these are obviously the best two in their discography in any case, i have a huge soft spot for AJFA and it may actually be my personal favourite (and the production is the best thing about it so fu cig, one of my all-time favourites in that respect) but the songwriting's very ropey, while KeA, though super-consistent, just generally aims lower and isn't as far removed from its influences as the next three.
 
Ride the Lightning > Kill 'em All > Master of Puppets > And Justice for All

And Justice for All loses points (or whatever) especially because its production is utter trash.

Wow, mine is the exact opposite. AJFA>MOP>KEA>RTL. However, I really couldn't begrudge someone for ranking these four in any order, as I see what makes each one special.

I have always loved the production on AJFA. Super raw and visceral.
 
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yeah, and i know you disagree but i'd have 'harvester of sorrow' down there as well. 'escape' is clearly worse than anything on MoP though, 'trapped under ice' arguably is as well. RtL hits high peaks more often though and it's their most economical and atmospheric record overall, still probably my favourite by a hair. these are obviously the best two in their discography in any case, i have a huge soft spot for AJFA and it may actually be my personal favourite (and the production is the best thing about it so fu cig, one of my all-time favourites in that respect) but the songwriting's very ropey, while KeA, though super-consistent, just generally aims lower and isn't as far removed from its influences as the next three.

Harvester of Sorrow used to be my least favorite for a long time tbh, I can see why people wouldn't like it and it's still far from an album favorite.

Escape is better than Battery and Leper Messiah. Possibly Sanitarium and Damage Inc as well.
 
WTF? Plodding and dull? I could see the case for The Thing that Should Not Be and Welcome Home, but the rest of the album is driven. And Escape is easily the worst song of the first four albums. The only one that is lower than a 8/10 (I'd give it a 6/10).

Welcome Home is one of the best songs on that album.

The Shortest Straw < all
2nd weakest track on that album... with Harvester of Sorrow taking the cake.

Escape is better than Battery and Leper Messiah. Possibly Sanitarium and Damage Inc as well.

good song, but no. not better than any of these ... except maybe Damage Inc. Nah, i take that back, not better than any of those songs.
 
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Master of Puppets > Ride the Lightning > ...and Justice for All > Kill 'Em All

Quick @Krow get in here, I know you're going to wanna weigh in on this