Metallica's first 4 albums are untouchable. I've seen them in concert 6 times in the 90's.
The black album was shit IMO, but it's when they became mainstream.
Slayer is good, some of their songs are one of a kind.
Someone a while back said people hated Metallica for changing to be more mainstream.
And people wonder what would have happened if Slayer did the same.
Many critics against slayer believe they should have transitioned.
Interesting thoughts on that. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
I can't choose a winner because while i like Metallica, you couldn't pay me to listen to any album after And Justice For All.
Their Garage Days covers album is pretty good too.
On the Black Album, I like Of Wolf and Man and Sandman will be iconic for me because of Mariano Rivera. Couldn't care less for any of the others, save maybe Through the Never.
To me Puppets is the album that's untouchable, and that alone puts them over Slayer. Is there a better start/end to an album than Battery/Damage Inc? Nah. I probably listen to a part of it every day.
One caveat about my 18 year run of shit - I thought the first S&M was great. I think the S&M version of One is better that the original.
Seen Metallica a handful of times, but I will say I saw Slayer at a club in Boston, where I could go to the bar, get a beer, then get right back to front standing about 4 feet in front of them. There wasn't even really a stage, they were just standing there. Maybe 100 or so people.
And the fuckers went 3 hours hard, no different if it was a stadium. King was an absolute monster. Even got a Jeff Hanneman guitar pick.