10 Rock Albums That Artists Regret Making
8. And Justice for All - Metallica
The end of 1986 really was a make or break moment for Metallica. Ever since losing Cliff Burton in a tragic bus accident, many were wondering whether they could continue on with newcomer Jason Newsted providing the signature low end. Though Newsted certainly rose to the challenge, you wouldn't have been able to tell if you listened to And Justice For All.
Out of all the classic thrash records of Metallica's '80s period, this stands out as one of the most drastic left turns from a purely sonic perspective. Whether it was intentional or not, part of the hazing of Newsted found its way into the final mix, with the bass being almost inaudible throughout the entire record. While not knocking it, James Hetfield has gone on record saying that the mix could have certainly benefited from some greater low end.
This is also one of the most technically proficient records in Metallica's discography, which turned out to be both a positive and a negative. Despite being able to play a million notes per second, the sheer length of these tracks eventually led to Metallica making a complete left turn towards simpler material on the Black Album just a few years later. Even though Justice may hold a special place in the hearts of metal fans, it's hard not to see it as the beginning of the end in retrospect.