I was a massive fan. Back when Thrash broke over here I got everything I could (some bought, some taped from mate's LPs etc - hey, I was 14) and my favourite of the 'Big 4' were 'tallica, including ...and justice for all. I just thought the lack of bass was down to my ageing turntable at the time. I much preferred them to Anthrax and Megadeth, and Slayer were just too heavy for me (back then).
I bought the Black album and loved it but i have to say that everything since then has been a parody of what they once were. Lars' drumming and Kirk's solos in particular seem like a flimsy pastiche of themselves.
Nowadays if I fancy a bit of thrash it's more than likely Slayer or Anthrax's 'Worship music', which is a superb album from a band that I've often thought of as a 'cartoon' thrash band.