10 Heaviest Metallica Songs

Yes, I know when you talk about the heavy side of Metallica, the 90's were seen as a particularly dark time for the band. The twin albums Load and Reload tend to be looked upon with scorn among the metal faithful for being the band's "sellout" records where they started to abandon the metal label altogether. However, don't let that mentality fool you into thinking these records are devoid of heaviness.

With the bad taste of Load still in the ears of many fans, Metallica started their followup right with one of the gnarliest grooves the band had ever laid down. The song certainly lives up to its title with a rhythm and spitfire delivery that gives the sonic equivalent of revving up a motorcycle. The solo in the song may not be Kirk's most awe-inspiring, but the way he uses his blues influences to ride the riff is something only true professionals could hope to accomplish.

While many fans don't look to this time as a highlight in Metallica's career, "Fuel" has always endured as a concert staple that can still whip the crowd into a frenzy. This may have been the sellout period, but "Fuel" is the one mainstream song that packs as much punch as a thrash metal rager.