ALBUM OF THE WEEK #24 - METALLICA - MASTER OF PUPPETS (1986)

[RJhog (Admin)]

1. Battery

2. Master Of Puppets

3. The Thing That Should Not Be

4. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

5. Disposable Heroes

6. Leper Messiah

7. Orion

8. Damage, Inc.

Here's the way I see it.  Jon posted some excellent European metal in this week's NMC, so how 'bout I post some good ole ass-kicking American metal for album of the week?  That would be Metallica. In my opinion, there are three groups of Metallica fans. One is the die hard, who likes all era's of Metallica music. A second one only likes the
first few albums, the Metallica that's more thrash than melodic. And
lastly, there's folks like me, who gravitate to the more melodic or
cross-over style of Metallica, like The Black Album. Of course, that's
not the only Metallica album I like, it's just my favorite. Master Of
Puppets is Metallica's third studio effort. It was released in 1986. 

I remember hearing the song Battery at some point shortly after the album's release.  As a matter of fact, I had the cassette.  But I instantly didn't like it.  I wasn't a thrash metal guy at all.  Really, I'm still not that guy.  But I really like their self-titled album (a.k.a. The Black Album) that came out in 1991.  So a couple of years ago I decided to beef up my Metallica collection.  Of course, that included Master Of Puppets.  And guess what?  I like this a lot better now.  My favorite song on the album would be Welcome Home (Sanitarium).  I love that easy start, the bleeding guitar, and even the vocals.  James Hetfield sounds great on this song.  And the drums sound really powerful to me.  Even in the slower, easier parts of the song.  Of course, then there is the heavier parts of the song.  I'd say this is a masterpiece.  Master Of Puppets is also a great track.  And the instrumental, Orion, rocks as well.  Overall, not a bad song on the album.  Sometimes I get a little tired of Metallica when listening to a full album, but Master Of Puppets is pretty easy to listen to. 

As far as the artwork goes, this is outstanding.  The cemetery with the white crosses underneath the awesome logo, all tied together in an overgrown field with that blood red sky.  Not to mention the hands controlling the puppet strings.  That's a great album cover.  It's still easy to find on Amazon, the remastered disc going for 14 bucks new.  This is an essential Metallica disc, so pick it up if you don't already own it.

Hidden Gem Award - Orion

Click the following link to check it out:  Metallica - Master Of Puppets

See 'ya next week.

[Jon]

Nice pick MAN!

[RJhog (Admin)]

I kinda thought you might like it...

[Niels (Mod)]

I would put myself in the second group of Metallica-"fans". My two favorite albums are "Ride the lightning" and "Justice for all". "Master of Puppets" is also good, but after the black album, I lost interest. I agree, that the very best tracks on this album are "Welcome home.." and the title-song. You did'nt menthion, that Lars Ulrich is a dane, that went to the US in 1981(?) to become a tennis-"star", but was better at the drums, and started Metallica together with James Hetfield instead? Well, now I did. The first 4 albums were recorded a few "meter's" (yards??) from where I onced lived in Copenhagen (Sweet Silence Studios), and were produced by Flemming Rasmussen (his cousin was briefly a friend of mine around ´89/'90), if anyone should care.

[TageRyche]

This is a freaking awesome album. The one that got me into the band.

[Scott]

I'm a Black Album fan. However, I bought the Master of Puppets t-shirt for a costume I wore one Halloween. Still have it too, mint condition, worn once!

I like the Orion track, liked the album a bit more than the last time I heard it which was years ago. Maybe I'm warming up to non-Back Album Metallica? The rest was just kind of OK to me...