Metallica Appreciation Thread

 

I was probably 15 years old when I first heard them back in 1985.  I was out mowing my lawn, when my ears heard something amazing coming from my buddy/neighbor's garage.  He was blasting Ride The Lightning, and I was immediately floored by what I heard.  Back in those days, CDs and the internet didn't exist yet, so most music purchases were either of the vinyl or cassette variety.  I belonged to the Columbia House music club, but Metallica had not yet graced their pages yet.  I had to purchase a metal guitar magazine in order to find them, and than special order them via the mail.  I had never done anything like that before, but within a few short weeks I was the proud owner of Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning on vinyl.  And they were both well worth the purchase.  I am one of those strange people around these parts that when I like a band I tend to like everything that they have done, and Metallica is no exception for me.  I realize that albums like Re-Load and St. Anger aren't of the same quality of their previous works, but they are still albums that I enjoy listening to from time to time. 

 

Anyhow, I have many other stories to tell, but I thought that I would try and get this thread started with this one.  Let us know what you like and appreciate about one of the bands that put thrash music on the map.