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album review
Even though Master of Puppets didn't take as gigantic a leap forward as Ride the Lightning, it was the band's greatest achievement, hailed as a masterpiece by critics far outside heavy metal's core audience. It was also a substantial hit, reaching the Top 30 and selling three million copies despite absolutely nonexistent airplay. Instead of a radical reinvention, Master of Puppets is a refinement of past innovations. In fact, it's possible to compare Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets song for song and note striking similarities between corresponding track positions on each record (although Lightning's closing instrumental has been bumped up to next-to-last in Master's running order). That hint of conservatism is really the only conceivable flaw here. Though it isn't as startling as Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets feels more unified, both thematically and musically. Everything about it feels blown up to epic proportions (indeed, the songs are much longer on average), and the band feels more in control of its direction. You'd never know it by the lyrics, though -- in one way or another, nearly every song on Master of Puppets deals with the fear of powerlessness. Sometimes they're about hypocritical authority (military and religious leaders), sometimes primal, uncontrollable human urges (drugs, insanity, rage), and, in true H.P. Lovecraft fashion, sometimes monsters. Yet by bookending the album with two slices of thrash mayhem ("Battery" and "Damage, Inc."), the band reigns triumphant through sheer force -- of sound, of will, of malice. The arrangements are thick and muscular, and the material varies enough in texture and tempo to hold interest through all its twists and turns. Some critics have called Master of Puppets the best heavy metal album ever recorded; if it isn't, it certainly comes close. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
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- Metallica
- Released 1991
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- Death Magnetic
- Released 2008
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- ...And Justice For All
- Released 1988
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- Ride The Lightning
- Released 1984
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listener reviews
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Twisting Your Mind
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- By Teligun
- 10/9/2009 18:45:58
- Just watch this video and you'll see the raw talent that IS METALLICA. The intro into Puppets by way of To Live is to Die is so creative, but musicaly epic. I knew as soon as Newsted stood up that something big was coming, Metallica never disappionts! What I would give to have been in the pit at that show!! While Newsted isnt as talented as Burton was, He is just what the Band needed to get our blood pumping and head thrashing! So crank it up, and try not to hurt yourself while watching this EPIC Metallica Performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxNoAxb2IrM - Be the first person to rate this review!
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Best Metallica album ever
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- By FOS yay
- 1/11/2009 05:42:25
- Now THIS is music, the grand epic scale that Metallica has blessed us
with is this record. Master Of Puppets is obviously the best song, but
the grandiosity of listening to Leper Messiah then Orion AND THEN
Damage, Inc. produces almost a symphony. I highly recommend this not
only to people who like rock, metal, or Metallica but to people who
like music. - 3 out of 3 people
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...OBEY YOUR MASTER
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- By MidDriftDragon
- 12/29/2008 13:36:08
- great album
great songs
sad part is that this was cliff burton's last album before tragedy struck the band
R.I.P. CLIFF
for those who don't know cliff burton is
he's the guy on my profile picture
he was metallica's bassist after Ron McGonvery
or something like that
he played on the band's 1st albums
this was his last
but back to metallica, this album was a big hit
and this makes you wanna OBEY YOUR MASTER - 3 out of 3 people
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A Masterpiece
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- By sidewinder321
- 10/29/2008 02:43:39
- This album is absolutely stellar. This is Metallica at its finest. Every song on this album is worth listening to at least once. The guitar work from Hammett and Hetfield is absolutely phenomenal as is Ulrich's drumming. Even Burton, whom I thought was nothing special until I listened to this album, shines on the track Orion (which he wrote) which is an 8 and a half minute instrumental epic. Every member plays with an intensity that goes unrivaled to any other band. Hammett's solo work on this album is fast and furious. On nearly every track he's ready to pull out a solo that will melt your face as well as your entire body. Among the biggest improvements from previous albums is Hetfield's singing. In Kill 'Em All, his singing was clearly amateur and in Ride the Lightning it seemed that he sung halfheartedly (but still good) at times but in Master of Puppets, Hetfield sings (or should I say roars) the lyrics with an awesome ferociousness and passion. Overall, Master of Puppets is truly a masterpiece and is the best metal album ever (in my opinion). Definitely worth listening to again and again.
- 4 out of 4 people
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OBEY YOUR MASTER!
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- By scope22graffiti
- 8/8/2008 06:58:13
- i agree....whats up with the one minute intro...but its worth it, damage inc....is fucken thrash!!!...hardcore baby!.....all it needed was a fade to black, which in my opinion was the best song they made, no one can make such a soft slow song, and make it sound so sick, with that guitar solo....\--/ !
- 5 out of 5 people
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9.99/10
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- By Misery Messiah
- 7/21/2008 21:48:16
- I've got say that this is Metallica's second best album. It is a very incredible album but it missed a "Fade To Black." There isn't a section that is dull, except for the long intro of Damage Inc.
- 1 out of 2 people
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