Master of Puppets is the third studio album released by American heavy-metal band Metallica through Elektra Records on March 3rd, 1986. The album was the last to feature bassist Cliff Burton who died in an accident involving their tour bus on Sept. 27th, 1986. Master of Puppets is hailed by critics and pointed out as being a “Masterpiece.” While Master of Puppets didn’t take as big of a leap in the genre as their previous album, Ride the Lightning, it is still deemed some of their best work, if not the best. Master of Puppets only had one single, being the title track, Master of Puppets, which was also featured in the Netflix hit show Stranger Things. Master of Puppets is Metallica’s first album not to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine. Mustaine claimed he had co-written Leper Messiah, based on an old song called The Hills Ran Red. The band denied this, but stated that one section incorporated Mustaine’s ideas. The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and was widely acclaimed by critics, even outside of the thrash metal genre. The album is credited as one of the most influential metal albums of all time, as well as one of the best. It was certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2003 for shipping six million copies in the United States. In 2023, guitarist Kirk Hammett ranked Master of Puppets as his favorite Metallica album, and I would have to agree with him. The album is amazing and definitely worth listening to. It holds up to the masterpiece title given to it, and each and every song hits just like the last. The album keeps consistent energy and never feels boring. I definitely recommend giving Metallica’s Master of Puppets a listen.
