Pantheon - Podcasts for Music Lovers Ugly American Werewolf in London: Metallica - Master of Puppets
By 1986, Metallica's assault on the music establishment and eardrums was in full force. Their previous album, Ride The Lightning, had caught the attention of Elektra Records who signed them to an 8 record deal. Though they refused to make videos, weren't on MTV and didn't really release singles, the band gained fans anywhere they played live and through an underground tape trading community. They were establishing thrash metal alongside Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax through constant touring and a relentless lifestyle.
The boys really upped their game on Master of Puppets through stronger vocals from James Hetfield, more punishing riffs and melodic (and sometimes spacey) bass from Cliff Burton. The opener Battery sets the tone for this very influential album before giving way to the 8+ minute title track. True to form, Metallica offered up an instrumental in Orion which was heavily influenced by the classical training of Cliff Burton. Songs about war (Disposable Heroes), fake evangelism (Leper Messiah), insanity Welcome Home (Sanitarium) make for one amazing heavy metal album, the likes of which the world hadn't seen.
We talk about the songs, what they mean in the Metallica catalog, their tour for the record with Ozzy and of course the tragedy in Sweden that took the life of Cliff Burton. From underground band to being featured on Stranger Things, the journey of Master of Puppets is one for the ages.
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