>>126788811 (OP)Indubitably, Metallica holds a Beatles-esque throne in metal: they’ve got the massive popularity, critical acclaim, and a near-universal reverence among metal fans, from casual listeners to hardcore headbangers. Albums like Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightning are practically canon, and their ability to evolve from thrash to mainstream heavy metal without losing cred is a feat, so are their versatility and longevity (still packing stadiums decades later). The Black Album was a game-changer, pulling in non-metal fans while keeping most of the old guard happy, which is a rare balancing act.