On March 3rd 1986, Metallica released their third studio album: Master of Puppets, making today the 32nd anniversary of the album. Any metalhead can tell you the importance of this album with responses ranging from the newfound maturity of Metallica’s sound to the tragic significance of Cliff Burton’s bass playing. However, if you’re one of the few people left in the world who hasn’t even heard a snippet of Puppets, you don’t have to take my word for it. Here are some statements that will convince you to spin and/or stream that record, even if you are many years late to the party.
Note: The quotes included in this blog are not originally from this website. I am linking the source material to give credit to the originator of any content that is not mine.
Lzzy Hale of Halestorm:
“…Hetfield is just a bad ass. I always felt that if I was a dude I would want to be James Hetfield because he is all that is man and he’s also one of the most amazing rhythm guitar players. Everybody talks about lead, but the rhythm is the meat and potatoes and without that base nobody can do anything on top. And he’s got a forearm of steel, I’m still trying to get that down.” Click here for the original article on Musicradar.com
M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold:
“If I was to play any song for anybody asking, ‘What is metal about?’ I’d just play ‘Master of Puppets.’ The progressions and the bridge are brilliant. How many times have people tried to rip off that bridge where the whole thing breaks down and you go into different keys and try to come back out, but no one can do it as good as that song does it. It’s metal/thrash songwriting 101 all over that thing, and it’s got enough diversity to where it keeps your interest, which is … It’s unbelievable. Unbelievable record. From front to back, it’s just brilliant.” Click here for the original article on Rollingstone.com
Matt Heafy of Trivium:
“…it was Hetfield who really brought me into metal. To see their live shows and see what a commanding presence he was, and to see how good of a guitar player he is. So, he got me into everything, then I bridged out from there.” Click here for the original article on Blabbermouth.net
And if hearing from these present-day metal and hard rock musicians isn’t enough to convince you, here are statements from The fathers of metal:
Tony Iommi:
“My son bought me your last album, and it’s one of first recordings I’ve received in a long time that I can praise without reservation. I listen to it in my car all the time.” (This is from a 1992 interview with both Hetfield and Iommi. It is most likely that Iommi is referring to the Black Album, which was released in 1991.) Click here for the original article on Guitarworld.com
Ozzy Osbourne:
“I took Metallica on tour with me after the release of Master of Puppets. The album was a milestone for the band and for heavy metal.” Click here for the original article on Rollingstone.com
There you have it. Words from musicians who began their careers after the 1986 release of Master of Puppets along with those who inspired Metallica to begin their career as metal musicians. These quotes are not only appropriate for the anniversary of Puppets but also show the power of influence. Whether you’re a musician, writer, artist, or athlete, you never know who is watching and taking notes. Whatever it is that keeps you going, keep it up! You might just fire up the next generation.
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