Metallica (Black Album) Vinyl 2LP vs Metallica Kill 'Em All Vinyl

Buy the Black Album 2LP if you want the 1991 record with the hits and a clean, remastered 180g pressing that includes a download. Buy Kill 'Em All if you want the 1983 debut and the red Walmart-exclusive color is the draw. The Black Album is the more polished, more melodic record and the safer first Metallica purchase; Kill 'Em All is rawer thrash with thinner production. Owners of the Blackened reissues generally report flat, quiet vinyl and good sound, though colored exclusives like the red pressing draw more complaints about surface noise than standard black.

• Choose the Black Album 2LP if you want Metallica's biggest-selling record, remastered on 180g black vinyl with a lyric insert and a download code.
• Choose Kill 'Em All if you want the debut thrash album and specifically want the red Walmart-exclusive pressing.