Metallica: Phase 1, 2, 3. Which one and why?

[MantraSlider]

Hey people of the Ultimate Metal Forum, just signed up and figured I'd kick my posts off with something that could rile people up:

METALLICA:
Phase 1, 2 or 3?

I've grouped Metallica's discography into 3 parts. Which one do you prefer, and why?

METALLICA:
KILL 'EM ALL - ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL / LOAD - ST. ANGER / DEATH MAGNETIC - 72 SEASONS

 

[MantraSlider]

I'll start with my opinion.

I'm not a fan of the way the records sound during Phase 1. The drums mostly lack balls (except for The Black Album), which is a massive deal breaker. Also, AJFA has no bass, which is sacrilege in the worst way possible. Not only can you not make a record without bass, but a metal record???? Unacceptable to me...

Now, phase 2. I'm a big fan of hard rock, and Metallica's sound was lends itself very nicely to the songs on Load & Reload. As a plus, James' voice is at a peak. Then, St. Anger isn't so comparable to Load & Reload. But, it's a KILLER record to me. I was one of the St. Anger deniers, until I watched the documentary "Some Kind Of Monster". Understanding where these songs came from really made the glued the whole sound together. Since then, I've really been enjoying the record, despite some songs dragging on for just a bit too long.

Phase 3 is a different kettle of fish to both phase 1 and 2. Despite their return to their thrash roots, Metallica's Death Magnetic gives you an entirely different feeling to the first records, since the sound is so different. It does sound a little lower quality than what came after, but it remains a record I'm a fan of. Hardwired... to self-destruct however, is one of Metallica's best records, if you ask me. Maybe the songs can get a bit samey, but James once again sounds absolutely awesome and now, the production is on a whole other level. 72 Seasons, which followed, came in and expanded Hardwired in my eyes. Not much that feels very new, but it remains a great record.

So, based on all this, I'll have to go with phase 2. You?

 

[TechnicalBarbarity]

Theres only one correct answer here. "Phase 1"(+ The Black Album). The rest of their material is pretty much garbage.

 

[no country for old wainds]

yup, the worst album of phase 1 is comfortably better than the best album in phase 2 or 3 (although i do famously have a soft spot for LOAD).

 

[Baroque]

If you wanted to make this interesting it should be:

Phase 1: demos and Kill ‘em All
Phase 2: RtL and MoP
Phase 3: AJfA and black album

 

[crimsonfloyd]

1st place: Phase 1 (don’t think this needs explanation)

2nd place: Phase 3- better albums overall, with a higher percentage aligning with their traditional sound

3rd place: Phase 2- not sure I have a need to ever listen one of these albums again

 

[rms]

I have been enjoying 72 seasons alot. Might be on the black album level after some time listening..

 

[Bloopy]

Even with Reload being my 2nd fav album of theirs, the 1st phase still wins on average. AJFA is the closest thing to a perfect album for me so clearly I don't need to hear bass all the time.

Their 2nd phase is mostly good & great songs for me but also has some of their absolute worst.

I'm longing for that mix of great and terrible songs again now though, because their 3rd phase is painfully mediocre. I have hardly any fav songs here. Hardwired is the album that I really don't care for at all. The highlight of the phase is Lulu because it's so hilariously outlandish.