Another Top 10 Best Metallica Songs

 
We couldn't stop at just ten. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for Another Top 10 Metallica Songs. 

For this list, we'll be ranking another round of ten Metallica songs which serve as the cream of the crop from the band's long career. Oh, and if you can't find a song that you think should've made the list, make sure to check out our video for the Top 10 Metallica Songs to get your metal fix! 
  

 
It could've been very easy for this burly anthem to devolve into a sub-fantasy werewolf tale. This definitely wasn't the case with "Of Wolf and Man" a deep cut track from Metallica's multi-platinum, self-titled 1991 album. Instead, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield belts out lyrics about feeling a change back to a bestial state of primitive ferocity, while the track's main riff lurches with a bold, headbanging strength. "Of Wolf and Man" uses the subject of shapeshifting as a metaphor for both strength and aggression, while simultaneously tying it all together with the werewolf myths of old.
 
 

 
You may ask, how could a song which spawned two sequel tracks be omitted from our first list of Metallica classics? Well, it's just a testament to how many great songs the band has written over the years, but "The Unforgiven" nevertheless makes its debut here on round two, and it's one epic track indeed. The song is musically inspired by the epic spaghetti western cinema of Italy, and delivers a haunting main melody line, which fits perfectly with the equally dark music video. "The Unforgiven" is one of those rare cases when the vocals, guitar work and drums all come together perfectly with a cohesion and execution which is simply magical.


 
 

 
Created by author H.P. Lovecraft, the Ancient One known as "Cthulhu" was a fictional, monstrous deity; a fearsome hybrid of octopus, dragon and man, which has gained substantial popularity in recent years. Metallica was ahead of the curve with regards to its popularity, penning this instrumental ode to the Great Old One back in 1984 on their sophomore album, "Ride the Lightning." Although structurally simple in nature, "The Call of Ktulu" nevertheless packs one powerful punch, thanks to its creepy opening, chugging middle section and fiery outro. Metallica has always been able to write some of metal's most memorable instrumental tracks, and this one serves as confident, early proof of this fact.
 
 

 
Metallica had only recently emerged from the tragic loss of bassist Cliff Burton when they released this 1988 statement of intent, a technically flawless opening track to the band's fourth LP, "...and Justice For All." "Blackened" opens up with a glorious harmony guitar section before launching straight away into one of the most hyper-aggressive and intense riffs of their entire career. The track possesses lyrics which speak of environmental issues in a pessimistic and indignant manner, while the musical arrangement of "Blackened" twists and turns at a moment's notice, taking no prisoners in its cut-and-run, scorched earth attack.


 

 
The title track of "...and Justice For All" may clock in at almost ten minutes, but it never drags for a second, offering further credence to the songwriting team of James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich as one of metal's absolute best. The song is full of different musical movements, all of them powerful and intriguing, as Metallica spit fiery diatribes at the injustice of the American legal system. The song also features one of the finest solo sections of lead guitarist Kirk Hammett’s career, as the six-string dynamo rips out a succession of licks so hot, it's a wonder the man's fret board doesn't catch on fire. 




 
The musical landscape was a very different place when Metallica released their 1996 album, "Load" to the masses. Heavy music was very much on the back burner during this time, and Metallica's music followed suit, featuring a stronger set of tempered rock influences to offset the band's musical mettle. "Until It Sleeps" was the first single from "Load," and benefitted from a dark verse riff and memorable chorus. The accompanying music video may have featured the band with newly shortened hair styles, yet it still delivered the goods with its bizarre visual imagery and religious allegory. 
 
 

 
The next song on our list was famously sampled by Kid Rock for his own track, "American Badass," but it first turned heads back in 1991, when Metallica released this single for their self-titled "Black Album." "Sad But True" is a straight forward, no nonsense rocker, built upon its foundation of a simple but memorable main riff and equally quotable lyrics. Sometimes, it's not about how many riffs you have in a song, but how much impact one riff can have upon the audience. This was exactly what "Sad But True" achieved, and it manages to be a staple in the band's set lists to this day.


 

 
An effectively haunting melody opens up this classic track from "...and Justice For All," a song which chugs along in a devastating mid-pace to great effect. "Harvester of Sorrow" was an early live favorite from this period of Metallica's career, a time when the band was gelling with a fresh new bassist, Jason Newsted. Hetfield is in command vocally during the entire song, barking out marching orders as his bandmates fall lock-step in line behind him, creating a fearsome frontline of metal power for this, one of Metallica's very best tracks.
 
 

 
Metallica were no strangers to writing ballads in 1991, having composed a classic in the form of "Fade to Black" back on their 1984 album "Ride the Lightning”. Still, "Nothing Else Matters" was something of a surprise for fans, as it features a stark, basic arrangement, all centered around Hetfield's sensitive lead vocals and a beautiful main melody. The track has been covered by other artists and used in movie trailers since its initial release, while remaining a staple within the band's live set. "Nothing Else Matters" may be a simply written song, but its impact to the band's fans has been enormous.


 
Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions!
 
"Hit the Lights"
Kill 'Em All (1983)
 
 
"No Remorse"
Kill 'Em All (1983)
 


"Jump in the Fire"
Kill 'Em All (1983)


 
 

 
It's one sprawling, lengthy instrumental track, and it serves as a lynchpin for the band's third album, "Master of Puppets." "Orion" has since been spiritually linked to the band's fallen member Cliff Burton in recent years, as the track features a tour de force level of work from the bassist, recorded just a year before his untimely death. Indeed, Burton's massively influential playing style is set on full display here, as "Orion" winds its way around the man's meandering opening bass walk and determined, forceful middle section. Metallica and their fans may all miss Cliff Burton immensely, but that loss is felt just a little less every time the band perform this awesome, chilling instrumental.