SONGS OF ALL TIME.
Metallica is one of the most influential and successful metal bands in history. Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, they helped define thrash metal and later became one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. But for us metal fans it's mostly their first four albums that comes to mind when discussing the greatness of Metallica. Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986 )and ...And Justice For All. (1988) but it was of course their self-titled Black Album that brought Metallica to the masses.
In this article I'll put forth my top 10 greatest Metallica songs of all time.
Here are the top ten greatest Metallica tracks of all time.
1. ORION
A towering instrumental built on atmosphere, melody, and emotional weight. Cliff Burton’s bass work is the soul of the track, guiding it through cosmic calm, crushing heaviness, and a haunting mid‑section that feels like a requiem. It's Metallica's most ambitious composition and it's also their best in my opinion. ....................................................................................................................................
2. DISPOSABLE HEROES
A cold, relentless assault on the brutality of war. The riffs are machine‑gun precise, Hetfield’s vocals are powerful, and the song’s structure never lets up. A perfect blend of speed, aggression, and bleak storytelling. One of the most intense tracks in their catalogue.
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3. RIDE THE LIGHTNING
A massive, dramatic piece that blends thrash ferocity with almost progressive ambition. The lyrics confront death and fate, while the riffs shift from crushing heaviness to soaring, melodic passages. It’s Metallica expanding their sound far beyond their debut.
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4. CREEPING DEATH
A stadium‑sized thrash anthem built on unstoppable momentum. Inspired by the biblical plagues, the song charges forward with one of Metallica’s most iconic riffs and a chant section that has become a live ritual. Pure, triumphant aggression.
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5. THE FOUR HORSEMEN
A tight, riff‑packed early classic that shows the band’s raw hunger. Fast, galloping, sharp, and full of attitude, it blends speed‑metal energy with a surprisingly dynamic mid‑section. A defining moment of the Kill ’Em All era.
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6. FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE
A devastating opener that explodes from a gentle acoustic intro into one of Metallica’s fastest, most chaotic thrash attacks. The song’s apocalyptic theme matches its ferocity, making it a benchmark for early extreme metal intensity. It's the most extreme metal song that Metallica ever wrote.
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7. FADE TO BLACK
An emotional, introspective ballad that evolves into a powerful, cathartic climax. The clean guitar passages are haunting, the lyrics are raw, and the final solo is one of Hammett’s most expressive moments. A turning point in Metallica’s songwriting. Some claimed this to be their sellout moment but I disagree. It's a remarkable song even though it is the soft moment on Ride The Lightning.
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8. ONE
A bleak, cinematic journey through trauma and isolation. The song builds from quiet despair into a mechanized, explosive finale, with machine‑gun riffing that mirrors the chaos of battle. One of Metallica’s most dramatic and emotionally devastating works. It might be a bit overplayed these days but it would be criminal to leave it off the list.
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9. DAMAGE INC.
A brutal, high‑speed closer that embodies pure thrash aggression. The intro builds tension before erupting into razor‑sharp riffs and venomous vocals. It’s Metallica at their most feral and uncompromising.
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10. THE CALL OF KTULU
A relentless, atmospheric instrumental inspired by Lovecraftian dread. The song unfolds like a rising storm. Slow, ominous, and increasingly intense, showcasing the band’s ability to create mood and narrative without a single word.
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