10 Most Underrated Metallica Songs

Not too many things associated with Metallica can be considered "underrated." Ever since the early '80s, these thrash metal giants seemed to have reinvented the entire metal genre in their own image, with almost every one of their albums being contested amongst metal fans. Then again, even the most classic of bands can find a few stragglers that never saw the light of day.

Whether it was down to a poor management decision or just a snafu with the record company, these songs have remained in the dark corners of Metallica's catalog, with only a few people bringing them up as something fantastic. Though these spots are normally reserved for the worst material a band has to offer, a lot of these cuts have some inspired musical choices that you might not expect from the world's biggest metal band.

Granted, there have been times where Metallica have changed it up and failed miserably (St. Anger, Lulu, et al), but these are the few songs that actually got that shakeup right. It's time for these undiscovered pieces to have their day in the sun and see if they hold up to the band's previous classics. They might not set the world on fire, but they may just sneak up on you as some of the band's most overlooked deep cuts.

At the end of 2008, Death Magnetic was one of the best things a Metallica fan could have hoped for. After years of fiddling around with different material, this was the return to form that the band needed to win the hearts of thrash fans all over again. Even though songs like "The Day That Never Comes" have become etched in the minds of fans everywhere, "Cyanide" is one of the unsung heroes that feels most like the band's glory years.

From one section to the next, this song is filled to the brim with great riffs, with notes clashing against one another in the best way possible. Even though the focus may be on the collective, the start of the verses gives bassist Robert Trujillo a proper chance to shine, with his rhythmic accents setting the stage for the main lick.

Complete with a subject matter dealing with the standard topics of death, James Hetfield sounds like he did back on the Black Album, with a voice that is as tuneful as it is ferocious. "Cyanide" might not be at the top of most fans' favorites lists, but if it weren't for songs like this, Metallica might not have been able to get back in touch with their heavy origins.