Wolf, I'd have to take you back to 1984 with me. I had Kill 'Em All when it came out. Fistful, the first Tank album and Mercyful Fate. But at some point during that year, after having this quick exposure, I sort of lost interest in what would basically become thrash. I got heavily into UFO, Maiden, Dio. I wasn't a prude, but even as a 14 or 15 year old kid, I had something inside me that caused me to drift away from certain images, and I had no interest in anything Satanic, as MF "supposedly were". I actually traded a bunch of tapes to a friend of mine.
I wouldn't get back into thrash/speed metal until I heard Keepers Pt.1. I sampled Master Of Puppets when it came out, because I was going to see them open for Ozzy. I still wasn't in love with them. I got back into them with Garage Days Rerevisited.
I actually ignored King Diamond throughout the 80's because of his so called image. I walked out of two KD Club shows in the late 80's after going to see the opening bands. I had a friend who was very into KD. I thought the music was great but I couldn't stand HIM.
I got into KD and MF about 7 years ago, and have gone and grabbed their back catalogs.