35th anniversary of Metallica's "Ride The Lightning" - 7/27

If it's not the top album for Metallica fans, it's surely right near it. It's probably my second favorite album of Metallica after Master of Puppets. Kill 'Em All was a solid debut, but this album took things to a whole different level. More focused songwriting, tighter playing, all the band members maturing and having moments to shine, etc. So many classic songs like Fade to Black, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Creeping Death, Call of Ktulu, etc. The only song that's the weakest on here is Escape, but it's not that bad. The album wouldn't feel whole if it were missing. 8 songs of pure power from Metallica and the best was yet to come. Just a top-notch album practically from start to finish.