Misplaced Pages

Master of Puppets: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 18:28, 10 August 2013 edit98.196.136.14 (talk) Sales and impactTag: Visual edit← Previous edit Revision as of 17:44, 11 August 2013 edit undoMr Stephen (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers46,708 edits clean up, straight quotes, ISBN format, format for page/pages using AWBNext edit →
Line 42: Line 42:
|fontsize = 90% |fontsize = 90%
}} }}
In the fall of 1984, Metallica signed with ]. The label re-released '']'' on November 16, and they began touring larger venues and festivals throughout 1985. After letting their former manager ] go, they hired Q Prime's Cliff Burnstein and ]. During a busy summer, they played the ] festival at ] with ] and ] in front of 70,000 fans.<ref name="Guitar Gods">{{cite book|last=Gulla|first=Bob|title=Guitar Gods: The 25 Players Who Made Rock History|year=2008|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=0313358060|page=103|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=DL3I9qQWdeAC&pg=PA103&dq=master+of+puppets+recording&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-eTyUf3CMYeTswbR1ICIBA&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=master%20of%20puppets%20recording&f=false}}</ref> In the fall of 1984, Metallica signed with ]. The label re-released '']'' on November 16, and they began touring larger venues and festivals throughout 1985. After letting their former manager ] go, they hired Q Prime's Cliff Burnstein and ]. During a busy summer, they played the ] festival at ] with ] and ] in front of 70,000 fans.<ref name="Guitar Gods">{{cite book|last=Gulla|first=Bob|title=Guitar Gods: The 25 Players Who Made Rock History|year=2008|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=0-313-35806-0|page=103|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=DL3I9qQWdeAC&pg=PA103&dq=master+of+puppets+recording&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-eTyUf3CMYeTswbR1ICIBA&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=master%20of%20puppets%20recording&f=false}}</ref>


The group began to write new material in the early weeks of the summer of 1985. ] and ] initially retreated to the garage at ] alone, roughing out early demos before inviting ] and ] down to jam along with some ideas of their own. As a result, the Hetfield and Ulrich monikers would adorn all eight of the tracks that would make up the next album, already titled ''Master of Puppets''.<ref name="Wall">{{cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|title=Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica|year=2011|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=1429987030|pages=Chapter 7 - "Masterpiece"|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/123846636/Enter-Night-Mick-Wall}}</ref> Editor Tom King said that Metallica "were at incredible song-writing peak" during the recording sessions of the album, partially because Cliff Burton himself contributed a lot in writing the songs.<ref name="King">{{cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Metallica - Uncensored On the Record|year=2011|publisher=Coda Books Ltd|location=Great Britain|isbn=978-1-908538-55-0|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=h_2oRFsFnnUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=tom+king+metallica&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1_T3UeePI4rvOcvogJAP&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=tom%20king%20metallica&f=false}}</ref> Hetfield and Ulrich described that the process of writing a Metallica album begins with "guitar riffs, assembled and reassembled until they start to sound like a song". After that the band comes up with a title and a topic, and Hetfield then works on turning the title into a song.<ref name="NY Times">{{Cite news |last = Pareles| first = Jon| coauthors = | title = Heavy Metal, Weighty Words| work = ]| place = USA| page = 8| publisher = The New York Times Company | date = 10 July 1988 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/10/magazine/heavy-metal-weighty-words.html?pagewanted=8| accessdate = 14 November 2010}}</ref> The group began to write new material in the early weeks of the summer of 1985. ] and ] initially retreated to the garage at ] alone, roughing out early demos before inviting ] and ] down to jam along with some ideas of their own. As a result, the Hetfield and Ulrich monikers would adorn all eight of the tracks that would make up the next album, already titled ''Master of Puppets''.<ref name="Wall">{{cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|title=Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica|year=2011|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=1-4299-8703-0|pages=Chapter 7 - "Masterpiece"|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/123846636/Enter-Night-Mick-Wall}}</ref> Editor Tom King said that Metallica "were at incredible song-writing peak" during the recording sessions of the album, partially because Cliff Burton himself contributed a lot in writing the songs.<ref name="King">{{cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Metallica - Uncensored On the Record|year=2011|publisher=Coda Books Ltd|location=Great Britain|isbn=978-1-908538-55-0|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=h_2oRFsFnnUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=tom+king+metallica&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1_T3UeePI4rvOcvogJAP&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=tom%20king%20metallica&f=false}}</ref> Hetfield and Ulrich described that the process of writing a Metallica album begins with "guitar riffs, assembled and reassembled until they start to sound like a song". After that the band comes up with a title and a topic, and Hetfield then works on turning the title into a song.<ref name="NY Times">{{Cite news |last = Pareles| first = Jon| coauthors = | title = Heavy Metal, Weighty Words| work = ]| place = USA| page = 8| publisher = The New York Times Company | date = 10 July 1988 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/10/magazine/heavy-metal-weighty-words.html?pagewanted=8| accessdate = 14 November 2010}}</ref>


In the fall of 1985, they returned to ] to record ''Master of Puppets'' with ]. Metallica started to record this album in Denmark, September 1985, and ended the recording session with Flemming Rasmussen on 27 December the same year.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hadlan|first=Sem|title=The Illustrated Collector's Guide to Metallica: Fuel & Fire|year=1998|publisher=Collector's Guide Publishing|location=Pennsylvania|isbn=1896522092|page=53}}</ref> Describing the recording process, producer Rasmussen said that "Metallica, in that period, made very good ], and all of the songs were composed, arranged, and recorded on a very good demo. When we changed any of the songs, most changes were only slight."<ref>{{cite book|last=Tarquin|first=Brian|title=Recording Techniques of the Guitar Masters|year=2012|publisher=Course Technology|location=Boston|isbn=978-1-4354-6016-4|page=14|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=iZkLAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=metallica+recording+master+of+puppets&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xf3zUbWRG8bdOqvhgJAF&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=metallica%20recording%20master%20of%20puppets&f=false}}</ref> In an recent interview for magazine '']'', Kirk Hammet shared his experience saying "at the time we were just making another album" and that the band "had no idea that the record would have such a range of influence that it went on to have". He further said that the group was "definitely peaking" at the time and that the album had "the sound of a band really gelling, really learning how to work well together".<ref>{{cite web|last=Kielty|first=Martin|title=Ulrich bored Hammett in Metallica’s Puppet sessions|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/metallica-lars-ulrich-bored-kirk-hammett-in-master-of-puppets-sessions/|work=Classic Rock|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=July 27, 2013}}</ref> Unfortunately, Flemming and Metallica didn't manage to complete the mix tapes to their mutual satisfaction. Instead, the master tapes were handed over to ] in January 1985. Wagener, who previously has had production experience with ], ] and ], successfully finished the album's mixing.<ref name="Wall"/> In the fall of 1985, they returned to ] to record ''Master of Puppets'' with ]. Metallica started to record this album in Denmark, September 1985, and ended the recording session with Flemming Rasmussen on 27 December the same year.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hadlan|first=Sem|title=The Illustrated Collector's Guide to Metallica: Fuel & Fire|year=1998|publisher=Collector's Guide Publishing|location=Pennsylvania|isbn=1-896522-09-2|page=53}}</ref> Describing the recording process, producer Rasmussen said that "Metallica, in that period, made very good ], and all of the songs were composed, arranged, and recorded on a very good demo. When we changed any of the songs, most changes were only slight."<ref>{{cite book|last=Tarquin|first=Brian|title=Recording Techniques of the Guitar Masters|year=2012|publisher=Course Technology|location=Boston|isbn=978-1-4354-6016-4|page=14|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=iZkLAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=metallica+recording+master+of+puppets&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xf3zUbWRG8bdOqvhgJAF&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=metallica%20recording%20master%20of%20puppets&f=false}}</ref> In an recent interview for magazine '']'', Kirk Hammet shared his experience saying "at the time we were just making another album" and that the band "had no idea that the record would have such a range of influence that it went on to have". He further said that the group was "definitely peaking" at the time and that the album had "the sound of a band really gelling, really learning how to work well together".<ref>{{cite web|last=Kielty|first=Martin|title=Ulrich bored Hammett in Metallica's Puppet sessions|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/metallica-lars-ulrich-bored-kirk-hammett-in-master-of-puppets-sessions/|work=Classic Rock|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=July 27, 2013}}</ref> Unfortunately, Flemming and Metallica didn't manage to complete the mix tapes to their mutual satisfaction. Instead, the master tapes were handed over to ] in January 1985. Wagener, who previously has had production experience with ], ] and ], successfully finished the album's mixing.<ref name="Wall"/>


== Lyrical content == == Lyrical content ==
The songs from ''Master of Puppets'' follow the same lyrical theme of control and the abuse of power. In general, the lyrics describe the consequences of alienation and oppression as people are "powerless to resist the institutions that control them".<ref name="Moore">{{cite book|last=Moore|first=Ryan|title=Sells Like Teen Spirit: Music, Youth Culture, and Social Crisis|year=2010|publisher=New York University Press|location=New York|isbn=978-0-8147-5747-5|page=100|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=vRtLRAmcNF0C&pg=PA100&dq=metallica+master+of+puppets+lyrics&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ydb-UbavM4fgPL3jgagL&ved=0CE0Q6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=metallica%20master%20of%20puppets%20lyrics&f=false}}</ref> Author Brock Helander wrote that the album's lyrics were "intelligent yet harrowing" and praised them for "their socially conscious themes and brutal honesty".<ref>{{cite book|last=Helander|first=Brock|title=The Rock Who's who|year=1996|publisher=Schirmer Books|location=the University of California|isbn=9780028710310|page=434|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=TLszAQAAIAAJ&q=the+rock+who%27s+who+metallica+won+recognition+for+their+master+of+puppets+lyrics&dq=the+rock+who%27s+who+metallica+won+recognition+for+their+master+of+puppets+lyrics&hl=en&sa=X&ei=A9n-UY3nA4SUPOX7gPAN&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA}}</ref> The theme of the title track centers around the horror of drug addiction,<ref name="PopMatters"/> specifically ], which according to editor King was a theme "you couldn't be open about at the time".<ref name="King"/> The lyrics of the third track "The Thing That Should Not Be" are inspired by ]’s short story '']'', whose main protagonist is battling against unearthly forces.<ref name="PopMatters"/> Referring to the epic proportions of the songs, Eamon Stuck from ] noted that "at this stage in their careers Metallica weren't even doing songs, they were telling stories".<ref name="BBC"/> The songs from ''Master of Puppets'' follow the same lyrical theme of control and the abuse of power. In general, the lyrics describe the consequences of alienation and oppression as people are "powerless to resist the institutions that control them".<ref name="Moore">{{cite book|last=Moore|first=Ryan|title=Sells Like Teen Spirit: Music, Youth Culture, and Social Crisis|year=2010|publisher=New York University Press|location=New York|isbn=978-0-8147-5747-5|page=100|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=vRtLRAmcNF0C&pg=PA100&dq=metallica+master+of+puppets+lyrics&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ydb-UbavM4fgPL3jgagL&ved=0CE0Q6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=metallica%20master%20of%20puppets%20lyrics&f=false}}</ref> Author Brock Helander wrote that the album's lyrics were "intelligent yet harrowing" and praised them for "their socially conscious themes and brutal honesty".<ref>{{cite book|last=Helander|first=Brock|title=The Rock Who's who|year=1996|publisher=Schirmer Books|location=the University of California|isbn=978-0-02-871031-0|page=434|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=TLszAQAAIAAJ&q=the+rock+who%27s+who+metallica+won+recognition+for+their+master+of+puppets+lyrics&dq=the+rock+who%27s+who+metallica+won+recognition+for+their+master+of+puppets+lyrics&hl=en&sa=X&ei=A9n-UY3nA4SUPOX7gPAN&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA}}</ref> The theme of the title track centers around the horror of drug addiction,<ref name="PopMatters"/> specifically ], which according to editor King was a theme "you couldn't be open about at the time".<ref name="King"/> The lyrics of the third track "The Thing That Should Not Be" are inspired by ]'s short story '']'', whose main protagonist is battling against unearthly forces.<ref name="PopMatters"/> Referring to the epic proportions of the songs, Eamon Stuck from ] noted that "at this stage in their careers Metallica weren't even doing songs, they were telling stories".<ref name="BBC"/>


Ballad "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" is based on ]’s novel '']''.<ref name="PopMatters"/> The story conveys the thoughts of a patient who is unjustly caged in a mental institution, and according to philosopher ], among Metallica songs dealing with insanity, it's "perhaps the most revealing one".<ref name="Irwin"/> "Disposable Heroes" is a tale of a young soldier and his superiors who control his fate, while "Leper Messiah" unveils "the flimsy ruses of false prophets".<ref name="RS"/> Irwin wrote that the song "describes how people are willingly turned into blind religious followers". He further explained that it's not the fact that "people are religious" that annoys Metallica, but the thing that they "mindlessly do whatever they are told."<ref name="Irwin">{{cite book|last=Irwin|first=William |title=Metallica and Philosophy: A Crash Course in Brain Surgery|year=2009|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=1405182083|pages=48|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=aAwd261m7a0C&pg=PA106&dq=metallica+william+irwin+religion+leper+messiah&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zlf_Uc6hNMnhtQausYCQBA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=metallica%20william%20irwin%20religion%20leper%20messiah&f=false}}</ref> Writer Ryan Moore concluded that the lyrics of the album as a whole depict "ominous yet unnamed forces of power wielding total control over helpless human subjects".<ref name="Moore"/> Ballad "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" is based on ]'s novel '']''.<ref name="PopMatters"/> The story conveys the thoughts of a patient who is unjustly caged in a mental institution, and according to philosopher ], among Metallica songs dealing with insanity, it's "perhaps the most revealing one".<ref name="Irwin"/> "Disposable Heroes" is a tale of a young soldier and his superiors who control his fate, while "Leper Messiah" unveils "the flimsy ruses of false prophets".<ref name="RS"/> Irwin wrote that the song "describes how people are willingly turned into blind religious followers". He further explained that it's not the fact that "people are religious" that annoys Metallica, but the thing that they "mindlessly do whatever they are told."<ref name="Irwin">{{cite book|last=Irwin|first=William |title=Metallica and Philosophy: A Crash Course in Brain Surgery|year=2009|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=1-4051-8208-3|page=48|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=aAwd261m7a0C&pg=PA106&dq=metallica+william+irwin+religion+leper+messiah&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zlf_Uc6hNMnhtQausYCQBA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=metallica%20william%20irwin%20religion%20leper%20messiah&f=false}}</ref> Writer Ryan Moore concluded that the lyrics of the album as a whole depict "ominous yet unnamed forces of power wielding total control over helpless human subjects".<ref name="Moore"/>


== Critical reception == == Critical reception ==
Line 62: Line 62:
| rev3Score = B–<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Christgau|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=5460|title=Album: Metallica: Master of Puppets|publisher=Robert Christgau|accessdate=July 25, 2013}}</ref> | rev3Score = B–<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Christgau|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=5460|title=Album: Metallica: Master of Puppets|publisher=Robert Christgau|accessdate=July 25, 2013}}</ref>
| rev4 = '']'' | rev4 = '']''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|authorlink=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2006|title=]|volume=5|publisher=]|page=725|isbn=0195313739|edition=4th}}</ref> | rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|authorlink=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2006|title=]|volume=5|publisher=]|page=725|isbn=0-19-531373-9|edition=4th}}</ref>
| rev5 = '']'' | rev5 = '']''
| rev5Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/metallica/albumguide|title=Metallica: Album Guide|publisher=''Rolling Stone''|accessdate=June 3, 2012}}</ref> | rev5Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/metallica/albumguide|title=Metallica: Album Guide|publisher=''Rolling Stone''|accessdate=June 3, 2012}}</ref>
Line 70: Line 70:
| rev7Score = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=Nick|date=June 26, 2006|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=116|title=Metallica - Master of Puppets|publisher=]|accessdate=January 28, 2013|at=''Scroll down to'' Nick Butler (staff)|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6E0AAEo68|archivedate=January 28, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> | rev7Score = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=Nick|date=June 26, 2006|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=116|title=Metallica - Master of Puppets|publisher=]|accessdate=January 28, 2013|at=''Scroll down to'' Nick Butler (staff)|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6E0AAEo68|archivedate=January 28, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
}} }}
''Master of Puppets'' received rave reviews from ].<ref name="Macdonald">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=wvlGJVRUkIIC&pg=PA236|accessdate=June 12, 2013|last=Macdonald|first=Les|title=The Day the Music Died|page=236|publisher=]|isbn=1469113562|year=2010}}</ref> It was hailed as a masterpiece by critics outside of the heavy metal audience and cited by some as the genre's greatest album.<ref name=Allmusic/> In a contemporary review, Tim Holmes of '']'' magazine asserted that the band has redefined heavy metal with the technical skill and subtlety they display on the album, which he described as "the sound of global paranoia".<ref name="RS">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/master-of-puppets-19860605|title=Master of Puppets|last=Holmes|first=Tim|journal=]|date=June 5, 1986|accessdate=June 3, 2012}}</ref> '']'' magazine wrote that ''Master of Puppets'' "will finally put Metallica into the big leagues where they belong".<ref>{{cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|authorlink=Mick Wall|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Q8fm8mN58lQC&pg=PA309|page=309|title=Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica|publisher=]|year=2011|isbn=1429987030|accessdate=July 25, 2013}}</ref> By contrast, '']'' magazine's Judge I-Rankin was disappointed with the album and said that, although the production is exceptional and Metallica's experimentation is commendable, it eschews the less "intellectual" approach of ''Kill 'em All'' for a ]-inspired direction that is inconsistent.<ref>{{cite journal|last=I-Rankin'|first=Judge|month=July|year=1986|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DFgfrF29bfgC&pg=PA32|title=Spins|journal=]|location=New York|page=32|accessdate=July 28, 2013}}</ref> ''Master of Puppets'' received rave reviews from ].<ref name="Macdonald">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=wvlGJVRUkIIC&pg=PA236|accessdate=June 12, 2013|last=Macdonald|first=Les|title=The Day the Music Died|page=236|publisher=]|isbn=1-4691-1356-2|year=2010}}</ref> It was hailed as a masterpiece by critics outside of the heavy metal audience and cited by some as the genre's greatest album.<ref name=Allmusic/> In a contemporary review, Tim Holmes of '']'' magazine asserted that the band has redefined heavy metal with the technical skill and subtlety they display on the album, which he described as "the sound of global paranoia".<ref name="RS">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/master-of-puppets-19860605|title=Master of Puppets|last=Holmes|first=Tim|journal=]|date=June 5, 1986|accessdate=June 3, 2012}}</ref> '']'' magazine wrote that ''Master of Puppets'' "will finally put Metallica into the big leagues where they belong".<ref>{{cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|authorlink=Mick Wall|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Q8fm8mN58lQC&pg=PA309|page=309|title=Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica|publisher=]|year=2011|isbn=1-4299-8703-0|accessdate=July 25, 2013}}</ref> By contrast, '']'' magazine's Judge I-Rankin was disappointed with the album and said that, although the production is exceptional and Metallica's experimentation is commendable, it eschews the less "intellectual" approach of ''Kill 'em All'' for a ]-inspired direction that is inconsistent.<ref>{{cite journal|last=I-Rankin'|first=Judge|month=July|year=1986|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DFgfrF29bfgC&pg=PA32|title=Spins|journal=]|location=New York|page=32|accessdate=July 28, 2013}}</ref>


In a retrospective review, ]'s Steve Huey viewed it as Metallica's best album and remarked that, although it was not as unexpected as ''Ride the Lightening'', ''Master of Puppets'' is a more musically and thematically consistent album.<ref name=Allmusic/> ] of the '']'' wrote that the songs were the band's most intense at that point, despite veering towards "the progressive tendency of ]."<ref name="Kot"/> ] felt that the album had more challenging lyrics and a better grasp of song form than ''Ride the Lightening''.<ref name="scaruffireview"/> Adrien Begrand of ] praised the production as "a metal version of ]'s ]" and felt that none of Metallica's subsequent albums could match its passionate and intense musical quality.<ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web|last=Begrand|first=Adrien|date=September 12, 2002|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/metallica-master/|title=Metallica: Master of Puppets|publisher=]|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> ]'s Eamonn Stack called the album "hard, fast, rock with substance" and likened the songs to stories of "biblical proportions".<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/j59x|title=Master of Puppets Review - Metallica|publisher=]|first=Eamonn|last=Stack|date=April 23, 2007|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> In a less enthusiastic review, ] said that the band's energy and political motivations are respectable, but felt that they evoke clichéd images of "revolutionary heroes" who are "male chauvinists too inexperienced to know better".<ref name="Christgau"/> In a retrospective review, ]'s Steve Huey viewed it as Metallica's best album and remarked that, although it was not as unexpected as ''Ride the Lightening'', ''Master of Puppets'' is a more musically and thematically consistent album.<ref name=Allmusic/> ] of the '']'' wrote that the songs were the band's most intense at that point, despite veering towards "the progressive tendency of ]."<ref name="Kot"/> ] felt that the album had more challenging lyrics and a better grasp of song form than ''Ride the Lightening''.<ref name="scaruffireview"/> Adrien Begrand of ] praised the production as "a metal version of ]'s ]" and felt that none of Metallica's subsequent albums could match its passionate and intense musical quality.<ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web|last=Begrand|first=Adrien|date=September 12, 2002|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/metallica-master/|title=Metallica: Master of Puppets|publisher=]|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> ]'s Eamonn Stack called the album "hard, fast, rock with substance" and likened the songs to stories of "biblical proportions".<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/j59x|title=Master of Puppets Review - Metallica|publisher=]|first=Eamonn|last=Stack|date=April 23, 2007|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> In a less enthusiastic review, ] said that the band's energy and political motivations are respectable, but felt that they evoke clichéd images of "revolutionary heroes" who are "male chauvinists too inexperienced to know better".<ref name="Christgau"/>


=== Accolades === === Accolades ===
''Master of Puppets'' has been included in several publications' best album lists. In 2003, the album was ranked number 167 on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s list of ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rolling Stone Staff|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/metallica-master-of-puppets-20120524|publisher='']''|accessdate=July 29, 2013}}</ref> '']'' magazine included it in their 2006 list of the 100 best albums of all time. According to the magazine's ], with ''Master of Puppets'', Metallica "reinforced everything good about heavy metal" while "while undermining at least a few of the cliches".<ref name="TIME">{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/master-of-puppets/|title=The All-TIME 100 Albums: Master of Puppets|publisher=]|date=October 13, 2006|author=]}}</ref> ] placed the album at number 90 on its list of the best albums of the 1980s and wrote, "''Master of Puppets'' isn't just Metallica's best album, it's also their most heartfelt".<ref name="Slant">{{cite web|last=Slant Staff|title=Best Albums of the 1980s|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/best-albums-of-the-1980s/308/page_2/P2|publisher='']''|accessdate=July 26, 2013}}</ref> The album was featured in ]'s 2005 book '']''.<ref name="1001albums">{{cite book|title=]|year=2005|editor-first=Robert|editor-last=Dimery|first=Joel|last=McIver|authorlink=Joel McIver|edition=1st|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-7893-1371-3 |page=548|accessdate=June 17, 2013}}</ref> ''Master of Puppets'' has been included in several publications' best album lists. In 2003, the album was ranked number 167 on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s list of ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rolling Stone Staff|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/metallica-master-of-puppets-20120524|publisher='']''|accessdate=July 29, 2013}}</ref> '']'' magazine included it in their 2006 list of the 100 best albums of all time. According to the magazine's ], with ''Master of Puppets'', Metallica "reinforced everything good about heavy metal" while "while undermining at least a few of the cliches".<ref name="TIME">{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/master-of-puppets/|title=The All-TIME 100 Albums: Master of Puppets|publisher=]|date=October 13, 2006|author=]}}</ref> ] placed the album at number 90 on its list of the best albums of the 1980s and wrote, "''Master of Puppets'' isn't just Metallica's best album, it's also their most heartfelt".<ref name="Slant">{{cite web|last=Slant Staff|title=Best Albums of the 1980s|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/best-albums-of-the-1980s/308/page_2/P2|publisher='']''|accessdate=July 26, 2013}}</ref> The album was featured in ]'s 2005 book '']''.<ref name="1001albums">{{cite book|title=]|year=2005|editor-first=Robert|editor-last=Dimery|first=Joel|last=McIver|authorlink=Joel McIver|edition=1st|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-7893-1371-3 |page=548|accessdate=June 17, 2013}}</ref>


In his book ''Justice For All - The Truth About Metallica'', McIver wrote that the album was the main reason why Metallica had been guaranteed inclusion in the ].<ref name=McIver>{{cite book|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=Justice For All - The Truth About Metallica|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=0711996008|pages=Chapter 15 1986–1988|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=SvW-uN-qEbIC&pg=PT281&lpg=PT281&dq=joel+mciver+and+justice+for+all+master+of+puppets+big+four+of+thrash&source=bl&ots=7MmX2cp99i&sig=jGZcq92PG-k_fvBFHUP9YV3Kgyo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Qdu3Udm3DdSM4gSy7oAo&redir_esc=y}}</ref> In 2007, ] named ''Master of Puppets'' the best heavy metal album of all time. The website's Spence D. stated that "the band's third magnum opus was easily their best" because it was "built upon and perfected everything they had experimented with prior", and that it was "where all the pieces come together in glorious cohesion".<ref name=IGN>{{cite news|last=Ed T.|first=Spence D.|title=Top 25 Metal Albums|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/20/top-25-metal-albums?page=7|accessdate=June 11, 2013|newspaper=IGN Music|date=January 19, 2007}}</ref> Music journalist ] also ranked it as the best heavy metal album,<ref>{{cite book|last=Popoff|first=Martin|title=The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time|year=2004|publisher=ECW Press|location=Toronto, Canada|isbn=978-1-55022-600-3|pages=Section 1|url=http://books.google.mk/books/about/The_Top_500_Heavy_Metal_Albums_of_All_Ti.html?id=SoVUpHBgtucC&redir_esc=y}}</ref> while ] ranked it second best.<ref name="Piero Scaruffi">{{cite web|last=Scaruffi|first=Piero|title=Best heavy-metal albums of all time|url=http://www.scaruffi.com/music/metal.html|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref> ] cited it as one of the 50 heaviest albums of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Q 50 Heaviest Albums of All Time |publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage2.html#50%20Heaviest |accessdate=December 5, 2007}}</ref> ''Master of Puppets'' was voted the second best thrash metal album of all time in a fan poll organized by metal magazine '']'' in 2003.<ref name=McIver/> The title track was ranked number 61 on '']''{{'}}s list of the 100 greatest guitar solos.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guitar World Staff|title=100 Greatest Guitar Solos: 51-100|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/100_greatest_guitar_solos_51100?page=0%252C1,1|publisher=Guitar World|accessdate=July 30, 2013}}</ref> In 2006, the album was voted the fourth "greatest guitar album of all time" in ''Guitar World''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/50-greatest-guitar-albums?page=0,4|title=50 Greatest Guitar Albums|publisher=]|first=Staff|last=''Guitar World''|date=February 19, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> The April 5th edition of '']'' was dedicated to the album and offered readers the cover album ''Master of Puppets: Remastered''.<ref name="Punknews">{{cite web|title=Kerrang to release Metallica tribute on April 5th|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/16421/kerrang-to-release-metallica-tribute-on-april-5th|publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> In March 2007, the guitar magazine '']'' ranked it in the 100 greatest riffs of all time and the main riff of the album's title track was ranked number seven.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guns N' Roses top rock riff poll|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3677965.stm|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> In his book ''Justice For All - The Truth About Metallica'', McIver wrote that the album was the main reason why Metallica had been guaranteed inclusion in the ].<ref name=McIver>{{cite book|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=Justice For All - The Truth About Metallica|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=0-7119-9600-8|pages=Chapter 15 1986–1988|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=SvW-uN-qEbIC&pg=PT281&lpg=PT281&dq=joel+mciver+and+justice+for+all+master+of+puppets+big+four+of+thrash&source=bl&ots=7MmX2cp99i&sig=jGZcq92PG-k_fvBFHUP9YV3Kgyo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Qdu3Udm3DdSM4gSy7oAo&redir_esc=y}}</ref> In 2007, ] named ''Master of Puppets'' the best heavy metal album of all time. The website's Spence D. stated that "the band's third magnum opus was easily their best" because it was "built upon and perfected everything they had experimented with prior", and that it was "where all the pieces come together in glorious cohesion".<ref name=IGN>{{cite news|last=Ed T.|first=Spence D.|title=Top 25 Metal Albums|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/20/top-25-metal-albums?page=7|accessdate=June 11, 2013|newspaper=IGN Music|date=January 19, 2007}}</ref> Music journalist ] also ranked it as the best heavy metal album,<ref>{{cite book|last=Popoff|first=Martin|title=The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time|year=2004|publisher=ECW Press|location=Toronto, Canada|isbn=978-1-55022-600-3|pages=Section 1|url=http://books.google.mk/books/about/The_Top_500_Heavy_Metal_Albums_of_All_Ti.html?id=SoVUpHBgtucC&redir_esc=y}}</ref> while ] ranked it second best.<ref name="Piero Scaruffi">{{cite web|last=Scaruffi|first=Piero|title=Best heavy-metal albums of all time|url=http://www.scaruffi.com/music/metal.html|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref> ] cited it as one of the 50 heaviest albums of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Q 50 Heaviest Albums of All Time |publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage2.html#50%20Heaviest |accessdate=December 5, 2007}}</ref> ''Master of Puppets'' was voted the second best thrash metal album of all time in a fan poll organized by metal magazine '']'' in 2003.<ref name=McIver/> The title track was ranked number 61 on '']''{{'}}s list of the 100 greatest guitar solos.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guitar World Staff|title=100 Greatest Guitar Solos: 51-100|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/100_greatest_guitar_solos_51100?page=0%252C1,1|publisher=Guitar World|accessdate=July 30, 2013}}</ref> In 2006, the album was voted the fourth "greatest guitar album of all time" in ''Guitar World''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/50-greatest-guitar-albums?page=0,4|title=50 Greatest Guitar Albums|publisher=]|first=Staff|last=''Guitar World''|date=February 19, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> The April 5th edition of '']'' was dedicated to the album and offered readers the cover album ''Master of Puppets: Remastered''.<ref name="Punknews">{{cite web|title=Kerrang to release Metallica tribute on April 5th|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/16421/kerrang-to-release-metallica-tribute-on-april-5th|publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> In March 2007, the guitar magazine '']'' ranked it in the 100 greatest riffs of all time and the main riff of the album's title track was ranked number seven.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guns N' Roses top rock riff poll|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3677965.stm|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref>


== Sales and impact == == Sales and impact ==
Released in early 1986, the record had a 72-week run on the ] album charts and became the band's first ] record.<ref name="Guitar Gods"/> On March 29, 1986, the album debuted at number 128<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=CCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT76&dq=%22Master+of+Puppets%22+billboard&hl=en&sa=X&ei=18LzUe6tKa7H4APduIDoCQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22Master%20of%20Puppets%22%20billboard&f=false|accessdate=July 27, 2013|title=Top Pop Albums|journal=]|page=H-16|date=March 29, 1986}}</ref> and later it peaked at number 29 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref name="NY Times"/> '']'' reported that in its first three weeks, the album had sold 300,000 copies.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA40-IA4#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=July 27, 2013|last=Duff|first=S.L.|title=Indies Grab Torch from Majors—And Run|journal=]|page=H-16|date=May 10, 1986}}</ref> Despite virtually no airplay and no music videos, the album sold more than 500,000 copies in its first year of release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Ivan J.|title=Master of Puppets 25th Anniversary|url=http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/features/all-featured/6840_master-of-puppets-25th-anniversary/|work=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|accessdate=July 27, 2013}}</ref> It was the first ] album to be certified platinum;<ref name="Walser">{{cite book|author=] et al.|editor=]|date=November 19, 1998|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4CeFAC5MdxwC&pg=PA378#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=The Cambridge History of American Music|publisher=]|page=378|isbn=0521454298}}</ref> on June 9, 2003, it was certified six times platinum by the ] (RIAA), having shipped six million copies in the United States.<ref name="RIAA"/> Since the beginning of the ] era in 1991, ''Master of Puppets'' has sold 4,578,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=132493&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blabbermouth+%28Blabbermouth.net%27s+Daily+Headlines%29|title=METALLICA's 'Black' LP Is Top-Selling Album Of SOUNDSCAN Era|publisher=BlabberMouth}}</ref> Released in early 1986, the record had a 72-week run on the ] album charts and became the band's first ] record.<ref name="Guitar Gods"/> On March 29, 1986, the album debuted at number 128<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=CCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT76&dq=%22Master+of+Puppets%22+billboard&hl=en&sa=X&ei=18LzUe6tKa7H4APduIDoCQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22Master%20of%20Puppets%22%20billboard&f=false|accessdate=July 27, 2013|title=Top Pop Albums|journal=]|page=H-16|date=March 29, 1986}}</ref> and later it peaked at number 29 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref name="NY Times"/> '']'' reported that in its first three weeks, the album had sold 300,000 copies.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA40-IA4#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=July 27, 2013|last=Duff|first=S.L.|title=Indies Grab Torch from Majors—And Run|journal=]|page=H-16|date=May 10, 1986}}</ref> Despite virtually no airplay and no music videos, the album sold more than 500,000 copies in its first year of release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Ivan J.|title=Master of Puppets 25th Anniversary|url=http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/features/all-featured/6840_master-of-puppets-25th-anniversary/|work=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|accessdate=July 27, 2013}}</ref> It was the first ] album to be certified platinum;<ref name="Walser">{{cite book|author=] et al.|editor=]|date=November 19, 1998|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4CeFAC5MdxwC&pg=PA378#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=The Cambridge History of American Music|publisher=]|page=378|isbn=0-521-45429-8}}</ref> on June 9, 2003, it was certified six times platinum by the ] (RIAA), having shipped six million copies in the United States.<ref name="RIAA"/> Since the beginning of the ] era in 1991, ''Master of Puppets'' has sold 4,578,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=132493&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blabbermouth+%28Blabbermouth.net%27s+Daily+Headlines%29|title=METALLICA's 'Black' LP Is Top-Selling Album Of SOUNDSCAN Era|publisher=BlabberMouth}}</ref>


]'s ''Master of Puppets '' became thrash metal's first platinum album and by the early 1990s it helped ] to successfully challenge the mainstream of metal and redefine it. Metallica and a few other bands were able to headline arena concerts and appear regularly on ], although radio play remained incommensurate with their popularity.<ref name="Walser"/> After the album was certificated gold, thrash metal was recognized by major labels.<ref>{{cite book|last=Larry L. Burriss|first=Richard D. Barnet|title=Controversies of the Music Industry|year=2001|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=USA|isbn=0-313-31094-7|page=88|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=PKG5er5AnBkC&pg=PA88&dq=master+of+puppets+music&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9l_6UZm1PISaO6zCgLAI&ved=0CFQQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=master%20of%20puppets%20music&f=false}}</ref> Metallica with ''Master of Puppets'' were labeled as "innovators of the genre", paving the way for significant subsequent developments.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bayer|first=Gerd|title=Heavy Metal Music in Britain|year=2009|publisher=Ashgate Publishing Limited|location=England|isbn=978-0-7546-6423-9|page=82|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=NljX-oMfBiMC&pg=PA82&dq=master+of+puppets+music&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BGL6UYm0H8O_PID_gKAD&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q=master%20of%20puppets%20music&f=false}}</ref> This album, in the words of writer ], "ripped Metallica away from the underground and put them atop the metal mountain".<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TMHr1g7T8gQC&pg=PT163|accessdate=June 12, 2013|title=The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll|last=Knowles|first=Christopher|authorlink=Christopher Knowles (comics)|year=2010|page=163|publisher=]|isbn=1573445649}}</ref> ] from ''Guitar Planet'' recognizes this album as "one of the most emotionally intelligent and affecting metal albums ever made" as well as "the benchmark against which all new metal albums are measured".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hayter|first=David|title=Classic Album of the month: Metallica - Master of puppets|url=http://www.guitarplanet.eu/classic-album-of-the-month-metallica-master-of-puppets.html|publisher=Guitar Planet|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> ]'s Kyle Anderson had similar thoughts saying that 25 years after its release, the album "remains a stone cold classic" and it is "an album by which other metal albums should be judged".<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|title=Metallica's Master Of Puppets Turns 25|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/03/03/metallica-master-of-puppets/|publisher=MTV|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> Carlos Ramirez from '']'' felt that, since its release in 1986, the record "evolved into one of the most essential albums of its genre".<ref>{{cite news|last=Ramirez|first=Carlos|title=Metallica's 'Master of Puppets' Celebrates 25th Anniversary|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/03/31/metallicas-master-of-puppets-celebrates-25th-anniversary/|accessdate=June 11, 2013|newspaper=]|date=March 31, 2011}}</ref> ]'s ''Master of Puppets '' became thrash metal's first platinum album and by the early 1990s it helped ] to successfully challenge the mainstream of metal and redefine it. Metallica and a few other bands were able to headline arena concerts and appear regularly on ], although radio play remained incommensurate with their popularity.<ref name="Walser"/> After the album was certificated gold, thrash metal was recognized by major labels.<ref>{{cite book|last=Larry L. Burriss|first=Richard D. Barnet|title=Controversies of the Music Industry|year=2001|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=USA|isbn=0-313-31094-7|page=88|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=PKG5er5AnBkC&pg=PA88&dq=master+of+puppets+music&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9l_6UZm1PISaO6zCgLAI&ved=0CFQQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=master%20of%20puppets%20music&f=false}}</ref> Metallica with ''Master of Puppets'' were labeled as "innovators of the genre", paving the way for significant subsequent developments.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bayer|first=Gerd|title=Heavy Metal Music in Britain|year=2009|publisher=Ashgate Publishing Limited|location=England|isbn=978-0-7546-6423-9|page=82|url=http://books.google.mk/books?id=NljX-oMfBiMC&pg=PA82&dq=master+of+puppets+music&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BGL6UYm0H8O_PID_gKAD&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q=master%20of%20puppets%20music&f=false}}</ref> This album, in the words of writer ], "ripped Metallica away from the underground and put them atop the metal mountain".<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TMHr1g7T8gQC&pg=PT163|accessdate=June 12, 2013|title=The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll|last=Knowles|first=Christopher|authorlink=Christopher Knowles (comics)|year=2010|page=163|publisher=]|isbn=1-57344-564-9}}</ref> ] from ''Guitar Planet'' recognizes this album as "one of the most emotionally intelligent and affecting metal albums ever made" as well as "the benchmark against which all new metal albums are measured".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hayter|first=David|title=Classic Album of the month: Metallica - Master of puppets|url=http://www.guitarplanet.eu/classic-album-of-the-month-metallica-master-of-puppets.html|publisher=Guitar Planet|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> ]'s Kyle Anderson had similar thoughts saying that 25 years after its release, the album "remains a stone cold classic" and it is "an album by which other metal albums should be judged".<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|title=Metallica's Master Of Puppets Turns 25|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/03/03/metallica-master-of-puppets/|publisher=MTV|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> Carlos Ramirez from '']'' felt that, since its release in 1986, the record "evolved into one of the most essential albums of its genre".<ref>{{cite news|last=Ramirez|first=Carlos|title=Metallica's 'Master of Puppets' Celebrates 25th Anniversary|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/03/31/metallicas-master-of-puppets-celebrates-25th-anniversary/|accessdate=June 11, 2013|newspaper=]|date=March 31, 2011}}</ref>


Most of the album, with the exceptions of "Leper Messiah" and "Damage, Inc.", was featured as playable songs on the music video game '']''.<ref name="ghmetallica">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/full-guitar-hero-metallica-track-list-revealed-wii-version-arr/|title=Full Guitar Hero: Metallica track list revealed, Wii version arriving late|publisher=]|first=Chris|last=Greenhough|date=January 26, 2009|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> "]" was featured as a playable track on '']'',<ref name="rockband2">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/rock-band-2-on-disc-track-list-revealed-features-over-80-songs/|title=Rock Band 2 on-disc track list revealed, features over 80 songs|publisher=]|first=Andrew|last=Yoon|date=July 14, 2007|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> and was covered by ] on their 2007 album, '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/machine-head-storm-the-charts/|title=Machine Head storm the charts|work=]|date=April 2, 2007|accessdate=July 30, 2013}}</ref> Most of the album, with the exceptions of "Leper Messiah" and "Damage, Inc.", was featured as playable songs on the music video game '']''.<ref name="ghmetallica">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/full-guitar-hero-metallica-track-list-revealed-wii-version-arr/|title=Full Guitar Hero: Metallica track list revealed, Wii version arriving late|publisher=]|first=Chris|last=Greenhough|date=January 26, 2009|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> "]" was featured as a playable track on '']'',<ref name="rockband2">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/rock-band-2-on-disc-track-list-revealed-features-over-80-songs/|title=Rock Band 2 on-disc track list revealed, features over 80 songs|publisher=]|first=Andrew|last=Yoon|date=July 14, 2007|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> and was covered by ] on their 2007 album, '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/machine-head-storm-the-charts/|title=Machine Head storm the charts|work=]|date=April 2, 2007|accessdate=July 30, 2013}}</ref>
Line 101: Line 101:
|fontsize = 90% |fontsize = 90%
}} }}
The ] has become a permanent staple of the band's live set-list and is the most played Metallica song. When played live, the crowd fill in some of the vocal parts while the group delivers a blistering musical performance. ]'s Chad Childers characterizes the band's performance as "furious" and the song as the set's "highlight".<ref>{{cite web|last=Childers|first=Chad|title=Metallica Unveil ‘Quebec Magnetic’ Footage of ‘Master of Puppets’ Performance|url=http://loudwire.com/metallica-unveil-quebec-magnetic-footage-of-master-of-puppets-performance/|work=Loudwire|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> The song's live performance is qualified by '']'' as "a classic in all its eight-minute glory".<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica Tear Through 'Master of Puppets' in Quebec|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/metallica-tear-through-master-of-puppets-in-quebec-20121205|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> While filming ] at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, crosses were rising from the stage during the performance of the song.<ref name="Snipe">{{cite news|last=Harcott|first=Kyle|title=Metallica at Rogers Arena, Vancouve|url=http://www.thesnipenews.com/music/concert-reviews/metallica-rogers-arena-vancouver/|accessdate=July 31, 2013|newspaper=The Snipe|date=August 26, 2012}}</ref> The ] has become a permanent staple of the band's live set-list and is the most played Metallica song. When played live, the crowd fill in some of the vocal parts while the group delivers a blistering musical performance. ]'s Chad Childers characterizes the band's performance as "furious" and the song as the set's "highlight".<ref>{{cite web|last=Childers|first=Chad|title=Metallica Unveil 'Quebec Magnetic' Footage of 'Master of Puppets' Performance|url=http://loudwire.com/metallica-unveil-quebec-magnetic-footage-of-master-of-puppets-performance/|work=Loudwire|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> The song's live performance is qualified by '']'' as "a classic in all its eight-minute glory".<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica Tear Through 'Master of Puppets' in Quebec|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/metallica-tear-through-master-of-puppets-in-quebec-20121205|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> While filming ] at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, crosses were rising from the stage during the performance of the song.<ref name="Snipe">{{cite news|last=Harcott|first=Kyle|title=Metallica at Rogers Arena, Vancouve|url=http://www.thesnipenews.com/music/concert-reviews/metallica-rogers-arena-vancouver/|accessdate=July 31, 2013|newspaper=The Snipe|date=August 26, 2012}}</ref>


"Battery" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" are also regularly played live. "Battery" is usually played at the end of the set-list or during the encore, accompanied by lasers and plumes of flame.<ref name=Orion/> "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" is the second most performed song from the album.<ref name="songs">{{cite web|url=http://www.metallica.com/song_list.asp?sorting=1&sortdir=2&sortby=s.times_performed|title=Songs|work=Metallica.com|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> The song's live performance is seldom accompanied by lasers, pyrotechnical effects and film screens.<ref name="Snipe"/> "Disposable Heroes" was recently performed live at the fifth annual ''Revolver Golden Gods Awards'' on May 16, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fanelli|first=Damian|title=2013 Golden Gods Video: Metallica — "Disposable Heroes"|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/2013-golden-gods-video-metallica-disposable-heroes.html|publisher=Revolver|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> It also appears on the live video album '']'' (2009) filmed in ], in which this song was played three nights in a row in front of 150 000 fans.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hart|first=Josh|title=Metallica Post "Disposable Heroes" Video from 'Three Nights in Mexico City' DVD|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/metallica-post-disposable-heroes-video-three-nights-mexico-city-dvd|publisher=Guitar World|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> One of its recent live exposures was at the ] festival held on June 9, 2013. Journalist Adam Graham, writing for '']'', called the song a "classics from the band’s deep catalog".<ref name="Detroit News">{{cite web|last=Graham|first=Adam|title=Metallica closes out first Orion festival on Belle Isle, plans for more From The Detroit News |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130610/ENT04/306100025#ixzz2W2e0HXYO|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130610/ENT04/306100025|publisher=Detroit News|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> '']'' observed Hetfield's rhythm guitar playing as "impeccable on the lengthy and infrequently-performed ''Master of Puppets'' cut "Disposable Heroes."<ref name=Orion>{{cite news|last=Steffen|first=Chris|title=Metallica Dig Deep for Orion Fest Setlist|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-dig-deep-for-orion-fest-setlist-20130610|accessdate=June 12, 2013|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=June 10, 2013}}</ref> "Battery" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" are also regularly played live. "Battery" is usually played at the end of the set-list or during the encore, accompanied by lasers and plumes of flame.<ref name=Orion/> "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" is the second most performed song from the album.<ref name="songs">{{cite web|url=http://www.metallica.com/song_list.asp?sorting=1&sortdir=2&sortby=s.times_performed|title=Songs|work=Metallica.com|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> The song's live performance is seldom accompanied by lasers, pyrotechnical effects and film screens.<ref name="Snipe"/> "Disposable Heroes" was recently performed live at the fifth annual ''Revolver Golden Gods Awards'' on May 16, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fanelli|first=Damian|title=2013 Golden Gods Video: Metallica — "Disposable Heroes"|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/2013-golden-gods-video-metallica-disposable-heroes.html|publisher=Revolver|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> It also appears on the live video album '']'' (2009) filmed in ], in which this song was played three nights in a row in front of 150 000 fans.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hart|first=Josh|title=Metallica Post "Disposable Heroes" Video from 'Three Nights in Mexico City' DVD|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/metallica-post-disposable-heroes-video-three-nights-mexico-city-dvd|publisher=Guitar World|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> One of its recent live exposures was at the ] festival held on June 9, 2013. Journalist Adam Graham, writing for '']'', called the song a "classics from the band's deep catalog".<ref name="Detroit News">{{cite web|last=Graham|first=Adam|title=Metallica closes out first Orion festival on Belle Isle, plans for more From The Detroit News |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130610/ENT04/306100025#ixzz2W2e0HXYO|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130610/ENT04/306100025|publisher=Detroit News|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> '']'' observed Hetfield's rhythm guitar playing as "impeccable on the lengthy and infrequently-performed ''Master of Puppets'' cut "Disposable Heroes."<ref name=Orion>{{cite news|last=Steffen|first=Chris|title=Metallica Dig Deep for Orion Fest Setlist|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-dig-deep-for-orion-fest-setlist-20130610|accessdate=June 12, 2013|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=June 10, 2013}}</ref>


The rest of the tracks are rarely played live. "Orion" is the least performed song from the album, having been played only 45 times.<ref name="songs"/> The first live performance was made during the ] tour, when the band performed the album in its entirety, honoring the 20th anniversary of its original release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rutledge|first=Daniel|title=Metallica treat Kiwi fans to 'Orion'|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Metallica-treat-Kiwi-fans-to-Orion/tabid/418/articleID/181485/Default.aspx|publisher=]|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> The album was played in its entirety in 2006 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53208|title=METALLICA Perform 'Master Of Puppets' In Its Entirety At Germany's ROCK AM RING - June 3, 2006|work=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> They played it again the following day at the ] festival in ]. The band performed the album's eight tracks in the middle of each night's set.<ref>{{cite news|last=MTV News staff report|title=Metallica perform Master of Puppets in its entirety|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1533518/dmx-charged-with-multiple-traffic-infractions.jhtml|accessdate=June 12, 2013|newspaper=MTV|date=June 5, 2006}}</ref> The rest of the tracks are rarely played live. "Orion" is the least performed song from the album, having been played only 45 times.<ref name="songs"/> The first live performance was made during the ] tour, when the band performed the album in its entirety, honoring the 20th anniversary of its original release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rutledge|first=Daniel|title=Metallica treat Kiwi fans to 'Orion'|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Metallica-treat-Kiwi-fans-to-Orion/tabid/418/articleID/181485/Default.aspx|publisher=]|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> The album was played in its entirety in 2006 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53208|title=METALLICA Perform 'Master Of Puppets' In Its Entirety At Germany's ROCK AM RING - June 3, 2006|work=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> They played it again the following day at the ] festival in ]. The band performed the album's eight tracks in the middle of each night's set.<ref>{{cite news|last=MTV News staff report|title=Metallica perform Master of Puppets in its entirety|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1533518/dmx-charged-with-multiple-traffic-infractions.jhtml|accessdate=June 12, 2013|newspaper=MTV|date=June 5, 2006}}</ref>

Revision as of 17:44, 11 August 2013

Not to be confused with Puppet Master or Puppeteer. This article is about the Metallica album. For the title track of the album, see Master of Puppets (song).
Untitled

Master of Puppets is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on February 24, 1986, and was the band's last album to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a bus crash in Sweden while touring to promote the album. The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum, and on June 9, 2003, it was certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having shipped six million copies in the United States.

Master of Puppets was released to rave reviews from music critics and has been included in several publications' best album lists. Its driving, virtuosic music and angry political lyrics drew praise from critics outside of the metal community. The album is widely accepted as the band's strongest effort at the time, and serves as one of the most influential thrash metal albums of all time. Many bands from all genres of heavy metal have covered the album's songs throughout the years, including tribute albums as well. Since the beginning of the SoundScan era in 1991, Master of Puppets has sold 4,578,000 copies.

The cover art depicts a cemetery field of white crosses tethered to strings manipulated by a pair of hands in a blood-red sky. The album's cover concept was invented by Metallica and Peter Mensch, while the cover artwork was painted by Don Brautigam, who had worked with bands such as AC/DC, ZZ Top and The Rolling Stones. The original artwork was later auctioned at Rockefeller Plaza, New York City for the price between $20,000 and $30,000.

Background and recording

When I saw two kids who worked there in London wearing T-shirts of a local San Francisco band, I knew I was onto something. When I heard their record, I knew they were the one band that could sell to both mainstream and underground metal audiences.

— Cliff Burnstein, on signing Metallica

In the fall of 1984, Metallica signed with Electra Records. The label re-released Ride the Lightning on November 16, and they began touring larger venues and festivals throughout 1985. After letting their former manager Johny Zazula go, they hired Q Prime's Cliff Burnstein and Peter Mensch. During a busy summer, they played the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington with Bon Jovi and Ratt in front of 70,000 fans.

The group began to write new material in the early weeks of the summer of 1985. Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield initially retreated to the garage at El Cerrito alone, roughing out early demos before inviting Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammet down to jam along with some ideas of their own. As a result, the Hetfield and Ulrich monikers would adorn all eight of the tracks that would make up the next album, already titled Master of Puppets. Editor Tom King said that Metallica "were at incredible song-writing peak" during the recording sessions of the album, partially because Cliff Burton himself contributed a lot in writing the songs. Hetfield and Ulrich described that the process of writing a Metallica album begins with "guitar riffs, assembled and reassembled until they start to sound like a song". After that the band comes up with a title and a topic, and Hetfield then works on turning the title into a song.

In the fall of 1985, they returned to Copenhagen to record Master of Puppets with Flemming Rasmussen. Metallica started to record this album in Denmark, September 1985, and ended the recording session with Flemming Rasmussen on 27 December the same year. Describing the recording process, producer Rasmussen said that "Metallica, in that period, made very good demos, and all of the songs were composed, arranged, and recorded on a very good demo. When we changed any of the songs, most changes were only slight." In an recent interview for magazine Rolling Stone, Kirk Hammet shared his experience saying "at the time we were just making another album" and that the band "had no idea that the record would have such a range of influence that it went on to have". He further said that the group was "definitely peaking" at the time and that the album had "the sound of a band really gelling, really learning how to work well together". Unfortunately, Flemming and Metallica didn't manage to complete the mix tapes to their mutual satisfaction. Instead, the master tapes were handed over to Michael Wagener in January 1985. Wagener, who previously has had production experience with Mötley Crüe, Dokken and Accept, successfully finished the album's mixing.

Lyrical content

The songs from Master of Puppets follow the same lyrical theme of control and the abuse of power. In general, the lyrics describe the consequences of alienation and oppression as people are "powerless to resist the institutions that control them". Author Brock Helander wrote that the album's lyrics were "intelligent yet harrowing" and praised them for "their socially conscious themes and brutal honesty". The theme of the title track centers around the horror of drug addiction, specifically cocaine, which according to editor King was a theme "you couldn't be open about at the time". The lyrics of the third track "The Thing That Should Not Be" are inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's short story The Shadow Over Innsmouth, whose main protagonist is battling against unearthly forces. Referring to the epic proportions of the songs, Eamon Stuck from BBC Music noted that "at this stage in their careers Metallica weren't even doing songs, they were telling stories".

Ballad "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" is based on Ken Kesey's novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The story conveys the thoughts of a patient who is unjustly caged in a mental institution, and according to philosopher William Irwin, among Metallica songs dealing with insanity, it's "perhaps the most revealing one". "Disposable Heroes" is a tale of a young soldier and his superiors who control his fate, while "Leper Messiah" unveils "the flimsy ruses of false prophets". Irwin wrote that the song "describes how people are willingly turned into blind religious followers". He further explained that it's not the fact that "people are religious" that annoys Metallica, but the thing that they "mindlessly do whatever they are told." Writer Ryan Moore concluded that the lyrics of the album as a whole depict "ominous yet unnamed forces of power wielding total control over helpless human subjects".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic
Chicago Tribune
Robert ChristgauB–
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Piero Scaruffi8/10
Sputnikmusic4.5/5

Master of Puppets received rave reviews from music critics. It was hailed as a masterpiece by critics outside of the heavy metal audience and cited by some as the genre's greatest album. In a contemporary review, Tim Holmes of Rolling Stone magazine asserted that the band has redefined heavy metal with the technical skill and subtlety they display on the album, which he described as "the sound of global paranoia". Kerrang! magazine wrote that Master of Puppets "will finally put Metallica into the big leagues where they belong". By contrast, Spin magazine's Judge I-Rankin was disappointed with the album and said that, although the production is exceptional and Metallica's experimentation is commendable, it eschews the less "intellectual" approach of Kill 'em All for a MDC-inspired direction that is inconsistent.

In a retrospective review, AllMusic's Steve Huey viewed it as Metallica's best album and remarked that, although it was not as unexpected as Ride the Lightening, Master of Puppets is a more musically and thematically consistent album. Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune wrote that the songs were the band's most intense at that point, despite veering towards "the progressive tendency of Rush." Piero Scaruffi felt that the album had more challenging lyrics and a better grasp of song form than Ride the Lightening. Adrien Begrand of PopMatters praised the production as "a metal version of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound" and felt that none of Metallica's subsequent albums could match its passionate and intense musical quality. BBC Music's Eamonn Stack called the album "hard, fast, rock with substance" and likened the songs to stories of "biblical proportions". In a less enthusiastic review, Robert Christgau said that the band's energy and political motivations are respectable, but felt that they evoke clichéd images of "revolutionary heroes" who are "male chauvinists too inexperienced to know better".

Accolades

Master of Puppets has been included in several publications' best album lists. In 2003, the album was ranked number 167 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Time magazine included it in their 2006 list of the 100 best albums of all time. According to the magazine's Josh Tyrangiel, with Master of Puppets, Metallica "reinforced everything good about heavy metal" while "while undermining at least a few of the cliches". Slant Magazine placed the album at number 90 on its list of the best albums of the 1980s and wrote, "Master of Puppets isn't just Metallica's best album, it's also their most heartfelt". The album was featured in Joel McIver's 2005 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

In his book Justice For All - The Truth About Metallica, McIver wrote that the album was the main reason why Metallica had been guaranteed inclusion in the Big Four of Thrash. In 2007, IGN named Master of Puppets the best heavy metal album of all time. The website's Spence D. stated that "the band's third magnum opus was easily their best" because it was "built upon and perfected everything they had experimented with prior", and that it was "where all the pieces come together in glorious cohesion". Music journalist Martin Popoff also ranked it as the best heavy metal album, while Piero Scaruffi ranked it second best. Q magazine cited it as one of the 50 heaviest albums of all time. Master of Puppets was voted the second best thrash metal album of all time in a fan poll organized by metal magazine Terrorizer in 2003. The title track was ranked number 61 on Guitar World's list of the 100 greatest guitar solos. In 2006, the album was voted the fourth "greatest guitar album of all time" in Guitar World. The April 5th edition of Kerrang! was dedicated to the album and offered readers the cover album Master of Puppets: Remastered. In March 2007, the guitar magazine Total Guitar ranked it in the 100 greatest riffs of all time and the main riff of the album's title track was ranked number seven.

Sales and impact

Released in early 1986, the record had a 72-week run on the Billboard 200 album charts and became the band's first gold record. On March 29, 1986, the album debuted at number 128 and later it peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart. Billboard reported that in its first three weeks, the album had sold 300,000 copies. Despite virtually no airplay and no music videos, the album sold more than 500,000 copies in its first year of release. It was the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum; on June 9, 2003, it was certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having shipped six million copies in the United States. Since the beginning of the SoundScan era in 1991, Master of Puppets has sold 4,578,000 copies.

Metallica's Master of Puppets became thrash metal's first platinum album and by the early 1990s it helped thrash metal to successfully challenge the mainstream of metal and redefine it. Metallica and a few other bands were able to headline arena concerts and appear regularly on MTV, although radio play remained incommensurate with their popularity. After the album was certificated gold, thrash metal was recognized by major labels. Metallica with Master of Puppets were labeled as "innovators of the genre", paving the way for significant subsequent developments. This album, in the words of writer Christopher Knowles, "ripped Metallica away from the underground and put them atop the metal mountain". David Hayter from Guitar Planet recognizes this album as "one of the most emotionally intelligent and affecting metal albums ever made" as well as "the benchmark against which all new metal albums are measured". MTV's Kyle Anderson had similar thoughts saying that 25 years after its release, the album "remains a stone cold classic" and it is "an album by which other metal albums should be judged". Carlos Ramirez from Noisecreep felt that, since its release in 1986, the record "evolved into one of the most essential albums of its genre".

Most of the album, with the exceptions of "Leper Messiah" and "Damage, Inc.", was featured as playable songs on the music video game Guitar Hero: Metallica. "Battery" was featured as a playable track on Rock Band 2, and was covered by Machine Head on their 2007 album, The Blackening.

Touring

Metallica spent the period between March and August 1986 touring as the opening act for Ozzy Osbourne in the United States. The band usually played a 55 minute set often followed by encore. Referring to that occasion, Lars Ulrich stated: "We think Ozzy is great. He's been really good to us on this tour. We're honored to play with him. He's one of the people who started this whole thing." Kirk Hammet recalls Ozzy calling Metallica "the Black Sabbath of the 80's". According to Ulrich, the audience from the bigger cities was already familiar with Metallica's music, unlike the smaller towns they've visited. "In the B-markets, people really don't know what we're all about. But after 45 or 50 minutes we can tell we've won them over. And fans who come to hear Ozzy go home liking Metallica." Metallica went well with Osbourne's fans and as a result slowly began to establish a mainstream following.

The band was touring Europe in support of Master of Puppets when the band's bus rolled over on a patch of icy road outside of Stockholm. The tragedy occurred the night of September 27, after the performance in Stockholm. Cliff Burton was thrown through a window and was killed instantly. The driver claimed that he hit the patch of black ice, but James Hetfield always disputed that. The band returned home to San Francisco and hired Flotsam and Jetsam bassist Jason Newsted to replace Burton. As Newsted later recalls, "a lot of the songs that were written for ...And Justice for All were written during the Master of Puppets tour when Cliff was still in the band".

Live performances

We had played almost all the songs live before, 'cause they were all, I guess, songs that needed to be played live. They have that energy, that fire; they're still youthful. I think every song on that record is really good and it stands up to time.

James Hetfield, on playing the album live

The title track has become a permanent staple of the band's live set-list and is the most played Metallica song. When played live, the crowd fill in some of the vocal parts while the group delivers a blistering musical performance. Loudwire's Chad Childers characterizes the band's performance as "furious" and the song as the set's "highlight". The song's live performance is qualified by Rolling Stone as "a classic in all its eight-minute glory". While filming their 3D movie at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, crosses were rising from the stage during the performance of the song.

"Battery" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" are also regularly played live. "Battery" is usually played at the end of the set-list or during the encore, accompanied by lasers and plumes of flame. "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" is the second most performed song from the album. The song's live performance is seldom accompanied by lasers, pyrotechnical effects and film screens. "Disposable Heroes" was recently performed live at the fifth annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards on May 16, 2013. It also appears on the live video album Orgullo, Pasión, y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México (2009) filmed in Mexico City, in which this song was played three nights in a row in front of 150 000 fans. One of its recent live exposures was at the Orion Music + More festival held on June 9, 2013. Journalist Adam Graham, writing for The Detroit News, called the song a "classics from the band's deep catalog". Rolling Stone observed Hetfield's rhythm guitar playing as "impeccable on the lengthy and infrequently-performed Master of Puppets cut "Disposable Heroes."

The rest of the tracks are rarely played live. "Orion" is the least performed song from the album, having been played only 45 times. The first live performance was made during the Escape from the Studio '06 tour, when the band performed the album in its entirety, honoring the 20th anniversary of its original release. The album was played in its entirety in 2006 at Rock Am Ring. They played it again the following day at the Rock Im Park festival in Nürnberg. The band performed the album's eight tracks in the middle of each night's set.

Track listing

All lyrics are written by James Hetfield

No.TitleMusicLength
1."Battery"James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich5:12
2."Master of Puppets"Hetfield, Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett8:36
3."The Thing That Should Not Be"Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett6:37
4."Welcome Home (Sanitarium)"Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett6:27
5."Disposable Heroes"Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett8:17
6."Leper Messiah"Hetfield, Ulrich5:40
7."Orion" (instrumental)Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton8:28
8."Damage, Inc."Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton, Hammett5:29
Total length:54:46
Digital reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
9."Battery" (Live in Seattle 1989)4:53
10."The Thing That Should Not Be" (Live in Seattle 1989)7:02
Total length:66:35

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.

Metallica
Technical personnel

Charts

Year Chart Peak
position
1986 German Albums Chart 31
Swiss Albums Chart 18
UK Albums Chart 41
US Billboard 200 29
2004 Belgium Albums Chart 94
Finnish Albums Chart 7
French Albums Chart 111
Swedish Albums Chart 14
2008 Australian Albums Chart 33
Norwegian Albums Chart 30
Spanish Albums Chart 52
2009 Mexican Albums Chart 66
2010 New Zealand Albums Chart 33

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF) Platinum 60,000
Canada (Music Canada) 6× Platinum 600,000
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) Platinum 51,051
United Kingdom (BPI) Gold 100,000
United States (RIAA) 6× Platinum 6,000,000

Sales figures based on certification alone.
Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. "Metallica in 1985". Metallica. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  2. McDonald, Heather. "Asylum Records - Profile of Asylum Records". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  3. ^ Master of Puppets (CD liner notes). Elektra/Asylum Records. 1986. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |publisherid= ignored (help)
  4. "Master of Puppets". Release date. Metallica.com. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  5. ^ "American album certifications – Master of Puppets". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  6. GuitarWorld Staff Member. "Original Master of Puppets Artwork Up for Auction". Guitar World. Retrieved July 30, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Sue Cummings (August, 1986). "Road Warriors". SPIN. TeamRock. Retrieved july 26, 2013. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  8. ^ Gulla, Bob (2008). Guitar Gods: The 25 Players Who Made Rock History. ABC-CLIO. p. 103. ISBN 0-313-35806-0.
  9. ^ Wall, Mick (2011). Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica. St. Martin's Press. pp. Chapter 7 - "Masterpiece". ISBN 1-4299-8703-0.
  10. ^ King, Tom (2011). Metallica - Uncensored On the Record. Great Britain: Coda Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-908538-55-0.
  11. ^ Pareles, Jon (10 July 1988). "Heavy Metal, Weighty Words". The New York Times. USA: The New York Times Company. p. 8. Retrieved 14 November 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. Hadlan, Sem (1998). The Illustrated Collector's Guide to Metallica: Fuel & Fire. Pennsylvania: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 1-896522-09-2.
  13. Tarquin, Brian (2012). Recording Techniques of the Guitar Masters. Boston: Course Technology. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-4354-6016-4.
  14. Kielty, Martin. "Ulrich bored Hammett in Metallica's Puppet sessions". Classic Rock. Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  15. ^ Moore, Ryan (2010). Sells Like Teen Spirit: Music, Youth Culture, and Social Crisis. New York: New York University Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-8147-5747-5.
  16. Helander, Brock (1996). The Rock Who's who. the University of California: Schirmer Books. p. 434. ISBN 978-0-02-871031-0.
  17. ^ Begrand, Adrien (September 12, 2002). "Metallica: Master of Puppets". Popmatters. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  18. ^ Stack, Eamonn (April 23, 2007). "Master of Puppets Review - Metallica". BBC Music. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  19. ^ Irwin, William (2009). Metallica and Philosophy: A Crash Course in Brain Surgery. John Wiley & Sons. p. 48. ISBN 1-4051-8208-3.
  20. ^ Holmes, Tim (June 5, 1986). "Master of Puppets". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  21. ^ Huey, Steve. "Master of Puppets". Allmusic. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  22. ^ Kot, Greg (December 1, 1991). "A Guide to Metallica's Recordings". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  23. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Album: Metallica: Master of Puppets". Robert Christgau. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  24. Larkin, Colin (2006). Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5 (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 725. ISBN 0-19-531373-9.
  25. "Metallica: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 3, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Scaruffi, Piero (1999). "Metallica". pieroscaruffi.com. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  27. Butler, Nick (June 26, 2006). "Metallica - Master of Puppets". Sputnikmusic. Scroll down to Nick Butler (staff). Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Macdonald, Les (2010). The Day the Music Died. Xlibris Corporation. p. 236. ISBN 1-4691-1356-2. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  29. Wall, Mick (2011). Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica. Macmillan. p. 309. ISBN 1-4299-8703-0. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  30. I-Rankin', Judge (1986). "Spins". Spin. New York: 32. Retrieved July 28, 2013. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  31. Rolling Stone Staff. "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 29, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. Josh Tyrangiel (October 13, 2006). "The All-TIME 100 Albums: Master of Puppets". TIME.
  33. Slant Staff. "Best Albums of the 1980s". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. McIver, Joel (2005). Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (1st ed.). Universe Publishing. p. 548. ISBN 978-0-7893-1371-3. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  35. ^ McIver, Joel (2004). Justice For All - The Truth About Metallica. London: Omnibus Press. pp. Chapter 15 1986–1988. ISBN 0-7119-9600-8.
  36. Ed T., Spence D. (January 19, 2007). "Top 25 Metal Albums". IGN Music. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  37. Popoff, Martin (2004). The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time. Toronto, Canada: ECW Press. pp. Section 1. ISBN 978-1-55022-600-3.
  38. Scaruffi, Piero. "Best heavy-metal albums of all time". Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  39. "Q 50 Heaviest Albums of All Time". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  40. Guitar World Staff. "100 Greatest Guitar Solos: 51-100". Guitar World. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  41. Guitar World, Staff (February 19, 2009). "50 Greatest Guitar Albums". Guitar World. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  42. "Kerrang to release Metallica tribute on April 5th". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  43. "Guns N' Roses top rock riff poll". Total Guitar. BBC News. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  44. "Top Pop Albums". Billboard: H-16. March 29, 1986. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  45. Duff, S.L. (May 10, 1986). "Indies Grab Torch from Majors—And Run". Billboard: H-16. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  46. Sheehan, Ivan J. "Master of Puppets 25th Anniversary". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  47. ^ Walser, Robert; et al. (November 19, 1998). Nicholls, David (ed.). The Cambridge History of American Music. Cambridge University Press. p. 378. ISBN 0-521-45429-8. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
  48. "METALLICA's 'Black' LP Is Top-Selling Album Of SOUNDSCAN Era". BlabberMouth.
  49. Larry L. Burriss, Richard D. Barnet (2001). Controversies of the Music Industry. USA: Greenwood Press. p. 88. ISBN 0-313-31094-7.
  50. Bayer, Gerd (2009). Heavy Metal Music in Britain. England: Ashgate Publishing Limited. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-7546-6423-9.
  51. Knowles, Christopher (2010). The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll. Cleis Press. p. 163. ISBN 1-57344-564-9. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  52. Hayter, David. "Classic Album of the month: Metallica - Master of puppets". Guitar Planet. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  53. Anderson, Kyle. "Metallica's Master Of Puppets Turns 25". MTV. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  54. Ramirez, Carlos (March 31, 2011). "Metallica's 'Master of Puppets' Celebrates 25th Anniversary". Noisecreep. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  55. Greenhough, Chris (January 26, 2009). "Full Guitar Hero: Metallica track list revealed, Wii version arriving late". Joystiq. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  56. Yoon, Andrew (July 14, 2007). "Rock Band 2 on-disc track list revealed, features over 80 songs". Joystiq. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  57. "Machine Head storm the charts". Metal Hammer. April 2, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  58. Eddy, Chuck (2011). Rock and Roll Always Forgets: A Quarter Century of Music Criticism. USA: Duke University Press. p. 102.
  59. Harrison, Thomas (2011). Music of the 1980s. Greenwood: Thomas Harrison. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-313-36599-7.
  60. Ray, Michael (2013). Disco, Punk, New Wave, Heavy Metal, and More: Music in the 1970s and 1980s. New York: Encyclopedia Britannica. p. 53.
  61. McIver, Joel (2009). To Live Is to Die: The Life and Death of Metallica's Cliff Burton. London: Jawbone Press. p. 226. ISBN 978-1-906002-24-4.
  62. "Metallica's Hetfield And Ulrich Discuss 'Master Of Puppets'". Ultimate Guitar. Rock City. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  63. Childers, Chad. "Metallica Unveil 'Quebec Magnetic' Footage of 'Master of Puppets' Performance". Loudwire. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  64. "Metallica Tear Through 'Master of Puppets' in Quebec". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  65. ^ Harcott, Kyle (August 26, 2012). "Metallica at Rogers Arena, Vancouve". The Snipe. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  66. ^ Steffen, Chris (June 10, 2013). "Metallica Dig Deep for Orion Fest Setlist". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  67. ^ "Songs". Metallica.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  68. Fanelli, Damian. "2013 Golden Gods Video: Metallica — "Disposable Heroes"". Revolver. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  69. Hart, Josh. "Metallica Post "Disposable Heroes" Video from 'Three Nights in Mexico City' DVD". Guitar World. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  70. Graham, Adam. "Metallica closes out first Orion festival on Belle Isle, plans for more From The Detroit News". Detroit News. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  71. Rutledge, Daniel. "Metallica treat Kiwi fans to 'Orion'". 3 News. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  72. "METALLICA Perform 'Master Of Puppets' In Its Entirety At Germany's ROCK AM RING - June 3, 2006". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  73. MTV News staff report (June 5, 2006). "Metallica perform Master of Puppets in its entirety". MTV. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  74. Kaufman, Gil (June 26, 2006). "Metallica Put Catalog On iTunes — Quietly". MTV. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  75. Saulnier, Jason (13 January 2013). "Flemming Rasmussen Interview, Producer talks Master of Puppets". Music Legends. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  76. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". charts.de. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  77. "Metallica – Master of Puppets". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  78. "Metallica UK Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  79. "Master of Puppets - Metallica : Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  80. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". ultratop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  81. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". finishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  82. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". lescharts.de. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  83. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  84. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  85. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  86. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". spanishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  87. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". mexicancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  88. "Metallica - Master Of Puppets". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  89. "Argentinian album certifications – Metallica – Master of Puppets". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers.
  90. "Canadian album certifications – Metallica – Master of Puppets". Music Canada.
  91. ^ "Metallica" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  92. id MUST BE PROVIDED for UK CERTIFICATION.
  93. "American album certifications – Metallica – Master of Puppets". Recording Industry Association of America.
Footnote
  1. The labels were merged and known as Elektra/Asylum Records through the 1980s; The publisher of the album's 1986 Compact Disc release is credited as Elektra/Asylum.

External links

Metallica
Studio albums
Cover albums
Extended plays
Collaboration projects
Live albums
Box sets
Singles
Promotional singles
Other songs
Video albums
Tours
Related articles
Categories: