Earlier stuff was great.. I dig everything up to And Justice For All.. There was heavier and better stuff in that era than Metallica, though..
Absolutely Ditto! I still listen to Morbid Angel, Celtic Frost and others when the mood hits me. My wife cannot tolerate it, so I just throw on the headphones.
Side note, I work with the Bassist for an up and coming Metal Group, he is Don Slater. They are named Battlecross and recently did a Midwest/East Coast/down to ATL Tour. They are on Metal Blade Records and I have to admit, their music makes me want to be a kid again. I have been to a couple of shows and they are going to go places.
http://www.metalblade.com/english/artists/battlecross/bio.php Don is second from Left and one hell of a Bassist. These guys ARE Metal, not "Disturbed"...

Give them an honest try.