Metallica - Master Of Puppets   

Masters of thrash metal destroy all with flawless effort!

I don't think Metallica need a lot of introduction. No one would argue that in one way or another, Metallica help put metal on the map. Their influence on bands both then and now is undeniable. Their first three albums, 1983's Kill 'Em All, 1984's Ride The Lightning and 1986's Master Of Puppets are all held with the utmost respect and high regard. Was it the Cliff factor? Was it their rebellious “fuck it all” attitude? Or was it just the right place, the right time and all the stars had aligned or something like that? Whatever it was, they helped define metal in the 80s and beyond (rightly or wrongly so). Everyone who likes Metallica will debate the essence of which is their best album until they go blue in the face. That discussion is over. The answer will always be Master Of Puppets.

By this time (1986), the use of clean guitars on a Metallica album had become accepted by those were not a part of the “sell-out” bandwagon parts one (when they signed to a major label) and two (when they recorded Fade To Black for Ride The Lightning). The clean crisp strumming guitars give absolutely no indication of the balls out fury that is to follow when Battery kicks into high gear. The superb song writing and dynamics on the title track made it an instant classic with a barrage of chugging riffs amongst odd timed bars and a blistering chorus before switching into a crushing lead driven by a slow, acoustically clean build up. How anyone cannot love the title track is beyond me completely. Crawling ever so slowly from the murky depths is the epic The Thing That Should Not Be which trudges along at a heavy pace and the haunting intro to Welcome Home (Sanitarium) commences yet another classic and dynamic track that explores life trapped inside insanity before coming to a climactic finale.

The thrashing Disposable Heroes relentlessly pummels with machine gun fire like riffs and Hetfield barking “Back to the front! You will do what I say when I say” orders in true military fashion. Continuing the album's overall theme of “being controlled”, the pounding mid paced Leper Messiah and its lyrics of the flood of TV Evangelists from that era serves up a galloping mid section before returning to a solid pace. Orion delivers one of the most moving pieces of instrumental work in the metal genre - a fact that remains still intact today - with a driving intro that switches effortlessly into a river of harmonised guitars that flows elegantly over Cliff Burton's epic bass work. If this beautiful piece of music isn't moving enough already, for those who have seen the Cliff 'Em All tribute video, Orion takes on a whole new meaning and significance. Book ending Master Of Puppets perfectly is the pummelling Damage Inc. - a fiery, pissed off expression of fury and aggression with only a slow, building intro and brief pocket of breathing space midway that ease off on its break-neck speed.

Master Of Puppets was not only hailed upon it's release in 1986, but it is still hailed today as the pinnacle of Metallica's career. Mixing the perfect balance of speed, melody, aggression and musical dynamics not only between each of the eight songs here, but more often than not, also within them, Master Of Puppets is without a question of doubt the best release from this long standing Bay Area group. No filler. No attempts at being radio friendly. No skippers. No excess complexity. Perfection!

(Vertigo/Universal Music Distribution)