James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica performing. I think these five songs are the best songs the foursome has done that never receives radio airplay.

Metallica. Quite possibly the biggest band on earth. So big, there isn’t one act that would be headliner over them. Except, God. And that fact was proven recently. According to guitar.com, the band was playing in Munich Germany when the heavens opened, rain poured, and the sky lit up.

Basically, the band and everyone in the stadium rode the lightning. (too bad they weren’t playing “Ride the Lightning” when the Electricity hit the skies. I guess, when it comes to Metallica songs, God is more a Master of Puppets fan.

Metallica Songs Raised Me

It’s no secret that I’m a rocking kind of girl. Yes, I love to boogie, and almost became a professional dancer (no, not that kind. I’m usually on the other side of the pole) . Anyways, one of my favorite bands since I was a young punk teenager is Metallica. I was introduced to them by one of my stoner friends as we were chillin in a park where I grew up.

‘Duuuuuuude!’ He exclaimed as he handed me the Ride The Lightning Album “Have you heard these dudes?? They Riiiiipppp!” Me, staring at the cover of some chair being electrocuted, just as stoned as him, ‘Whoah’. And ever since then, I’ve been in the Metallica camp.

Related: The 5 Best Breakup Songs

As my career in radio began, I worked in the alternative format, similar to now. Lots of Nirvana, Pearl Jam but also The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees. But my love for Metallica never wavered. When I made my way to a straight up ‘buttrock” format, I was able to host the infamous “Mandatory Metallica” feature every night. Believe me, I went off every night. I played Metallica that never gets played on the radio. You think I’m a rebel now? I was off the rails then. I made my current rebellion look like a prayer session in church.

And in honor of my off the rails Mandatory Metallica days, I wanna share my opinion of the five best Metallica songs that never get played on the radio (unless my ass is behind the mic).

Disclaimer: For all the Metallica Purist, I’m well aware of the fact that you guys like to debate EVERYTHING Metallica. From music, jeans and haircuts. This is my list. Feel free to make your own. Also, your jeans are outdated. And get a haircut for crying out loud.

#5 Whiplash
I don’t care what generation of Metallica fan you are. This is the album that we can all agree is Metallica at their finest. Or at least Kill ‘Em All was when they were at their youngest and hungriest. And starving makes for some damn good music. “Whiplash” is one of my favorite songs by these guys.
#4 Prince Charming
“Prince Charming” from Reload is a straight ahead rock song with a good groove. And a little evil. Well, a lot of evil. Yeah yeah, purists hate this Metallica. This is the era, which began a few years earlier with the Black album, when James, Lars, Kirk and Jason, stepped away from thrash metal, cut their hair, and changed their jeans. But it was at this time that the ladies started coming to the party. And things don’t truly happen until we show up. More women. Less sausage fests. Amirite?
#3 So What
Metallica not only is a great rock band, but they make a helluva a cover band as well. They have covered Bob Segar, Queen and Lynyrd Skynyrd. However, it’s their cover of Anti-Nowhere Leagues “So What?” that got my attention. Especially when they performed it at The MTV Europe Music Awards. Why? Well, it got them banned from MTV. NSFW
#2 Disposable Heroes
Master of Puppets is, IMHO, Metallica’s best work. From top to bottom. Full Stop. End of Story. And yes, the title track is a monster, and now famous because of Stranger Things. There’s nothing more epic than “Disposable Heroes”. And its one of Cliff Burton’s finest and, tragically, final pieces of work he has ever done.
#1 Holier Than Thou
“Holier Than Thou” is a “middle finger in the air” anthem. Hard-driving, fast and quick to the punch. And I love it. The best part? It’s from Metallica, the album affectionately called the Black album. An even bigger middle finger to haters.