Master of Puppets

by Metallica

Type: Album
Released: March 3, 1986
Label: Elektra
Country: United States
Length: 54:44
Community rating: 4.36/5 from 75 ratings

Artists on this release: Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield

Album Notes & Community Reviews

'Master of Puppets' solidified the American thrash metal scene with its powerful, epic scope and refined technical dexterity, featuring multilayered songs and thick arrangements produced by Flemming Rasmussen. The album explores themes of control, oppression, and powerlessness through James Hetfield's matured, aggressive vocal style and socially conscious lyrics. As the final studio recording to feature bassist Cliff Burton, its complex and precisely executed song structures cemented its status as one of the most influential metal albums of all time.

Genres

Thrash Metal

Descriptors: riff-heavy, fast-paced, technical, gallop, shredding

Tracklist

Credits

Cliff Burton - bassist, bass, backing vocals, lead bass on "orion"
James Hetfield - lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, guitars, arranger, vocals
Lars Ulrich - drummer, arranger, drums
Kirk Hammett - guitarist, lead guitar
Flemming Rasmussen - producer, engineer
Peter Mensch - artwork [cover concept], management
Don Brautigam - painted by, artwork [cover illustration], illustrations
Cliff Burnstein - management
Michael Wagener - mixed by, mixing
Metallica - artwork [cover concept], producer, cover art concept
Mark Wilczak - engineer [assistant mixing]
George Marino - mastered by, remastering
Rich Likong - photography by [back sleeve cover - cliff burton]
Ross Halfin - photography
Rob Ellis - photography