Best Metallica album ??
My first concert was the Master tour about 3 months before they "broke out". They were touring with Twisted Sister and put on an incredible performace in Glens Falls NY. I think that might have been the last band they opened for as well. Over the years the music has matured and evolved. Are they the same speed metal band they were on the Kill the all or Lightning albums? No, but they are still putting out great albums. Although I voted for the Master album, I have to say that to date.....and I know I am about to piss off most hardcore fans.....S&m was their best album. The mixture of Metallica music, both older/harder stuff and newer "ballad" type stuff, mixes fantastically with the full orchestra.
That being said....would I have said the same thing about S&m at 20 that I now say at 46....probably not :-)