I think it goes in 2 stages. for the first 5 albums, metallica didnt miss mustaine (i wouldnt either, he's got a severe attitude problem) as hammett is a far superior guitarist. metallica post 1991 are crap. they've produced nothing short of **** for the last 10 years and i've only listened to st. anger twice (i used to consider myself the biggest talica fan around til then). the only problem with the debate is that megadeth are a more consistent band, and theres nothing by them that's COMPLETE crap, but they can't quite beat 'master of puppets' and the black album.

my money's on early metallica/newer trivium :p