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Metallica – Master Of Puppets

Metallica - Master Of Puppets album cover

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Genre:Rock
Style:Thrash, Speed Metal
Year:

Tracklist

Battery5:10
Master Of Puppets8:38
The Thing That Should Not Be6:32
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)6:28
Disposable Heroes8:14
Leper Messiah5:38
Orion8:12
Damage, Inc.5:08

Credits (23)

Notes

Master of Puppets is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica. Originally released on March 3, 1986.
It was the last album with the bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a bus accident in Sweden during the album's promotional tour.

Artwork, designed by Metallica & Peter Mensch and painted by Don Brautigam, depicts a cemetery field of white crosses tethered to strings, manipulated by a pair of hands in a blood-red sky. Instead of releasing a single or video in advance of the album's release, Metallica embarked on a five-month American tour in support of Ozzy Osbourne. The European leg was canceled after Burton's death in September 1986, and the band returned home to audition a new bassist.

Master of Puppets peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and received widespread acclaim from critics, who praised its music and political lyrics.
It was certified six times platinum by the RIAA in 2003 for shipping six million copies in the United States, and was later certified six times platinum by Music Canada and platinum by the BPI.
In 2015, Master of Puppets became the first metal recording to be selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

It is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential thrash metal albums of all time.

Main runouts of 1986 vinyl releases per country.

US
STE 60439 Elektra.
ST-E-60439-1-A Elektra.
STE-60439-A DMM-1 Elektra.
STE-60439-A-DMM-1 Elektra.
STE-60439-A-DMM Elektra.
R-134552-A, S̶T̶E̶-̶6̶0̶4̶3̶9̶-̶A̶-DMM-1 Elektra.

UK
MFN 60 Music for Nations.
RR 9717 MFN 60 Music for Nations + Elektra.
R̶R̶ ̶9̶9̶1̶7̶ MFN 60 Music for Nations + Elektra.
R̶R̶ ̶9̶9̶1̶7̶ MFN 60 Music for Nations.
R̶R̶ ̶9̶9̶1̶7̶ RR 9717 MFN-60 Music for Nations, misprint.
R̶R̶ ̶9̶9̶1̶7̶ RR 9717 MFN-60 Music for Nations + Elektra, misprint.
R̶R̶ ̶9̶9̶1̶7̶ RR 9717 MFN-60 Music for Nations + Elektra, misprint + mispress.

EU
RR 9717 Music for Nations + Roadrunner.
RR 9717 MFN 60 Music for Nations + Roadrunner.

Versions

Filter by
    578 versions
    Image, – In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory
    		Version DetailsData Quality
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album
    		Roadrunner Records – RR 9717, Music For Nations – RR 9717Europe1986Europe — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-03-04, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album, SR
    		Elektra – 9 60439-4, Elektra – 60439-4US1986US — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-03-00, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album
    		Elektra – 96 04391Canada1986Canada — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-03-00, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue
    		Music For Nations – MFN 60PUK1986UK — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album
    		Music For Nations – MFN 60, Elektra – MFN 60UK1986UK — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		Music For Nations – TMFN 60UK1986UK — 1986
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-03-03, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Allied Pressing
    		Elektra – 60439-1, Elektra – 9 60439-1US1986US — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-03-08, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Stereo
    		New Electric Way – 2320France1986France — 1986
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-05-21, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album
    		CBS/Sony – 28AP 3169Japan1986Japan — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-08-01, CDMaster Of Puppets
    CD, Album
    		CBS/Sony – 32DP 448Japan1986Japan — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-08-00, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album
    		WEA – 60439-1Australia1986Australia — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-03-00, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album
    		Music For Nations – MFN 60UK1986UK — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Club Edition
    		Elektra – 60439-1, Elektra – 9 60439-1US1986US — 1986
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Club Edition
    		Elektra – E1 60439, Elektra – 9 E1-60439US1986US — 1986
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Picture Disc
    		Music For Nations – MFN 60PUK1986UK — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-08-11, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		Elektra – 60439-4Australia1986Australia — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-03-00, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Test Pressing
    		Music For Nations – MFN 60UK1986UK — 1986
    Needs Changes
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album, Club Edition
    		Elektra – E4-60439, Elektra – 60439-4US1986US — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album, Dolby HX Pro, B NR
    		Elektra – 96 04394Canada1986Canada — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		Philips – 842219-4Colombia1986Colombia — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-04-11, CDMaster Of Puppets
    CD, Album
    		Music For Nations – CD MFN 60, Music For Nations – CDMFN 60UK1986UK — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Promo, SP - Specialty Pressing
    		Elektra – 60439-1, Elektra – 9 60439-1US1986US — 1986
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		Music For Nations – MU 444France1986France — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Unofficial Release
    		CBS/Sony (2) – 28AP 3169, CBS/Sony (2) – HM 26South Korea1986South Korea — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-06-17, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album
    		Elektra – 96 04391Canada1986Canada — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label
    		Music For Nations – MFN 60UK1986UK — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		New Electric Way – C 2320France1986France — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Repress
    		New Electric Way – 2320France1986France — 1986
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		Music For Nations – TMFN 60Europe1986Europe — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-02-21, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Stereo, Specialty Pressing
    		Elektra – 60439-1, Elektra – 9 60439-1US1986US — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Reissue
    		Music For Nations – 2320, New Electric Way – 193201France1986France — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-02-28, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label
    		Music For Nations – MFN 60UK1986UK — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Stereo
    		Music For Nations – RR 9717, Music For Nations – MFN 60Europe1986Europe — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-06-00, CDMaster Of Puppets
    CD, Album
    		Elektra – 9 60439-2, Elektra – 60439-2US1986US — 1986
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album, Club Edition, Dolby HX Pro, B NR
    		Elektra – E4-60439Canada1986Canada — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album, Reissue
    		New Electric Way – 193204France1986France — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, VinylMaster Of Puppets
    LP, Album, Club Edition
    		Elektra – E1 60439Canada1986Canada — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		Vertigo – 838 141-4Philippines1986Philippines — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986-02-21, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album
    		Elektra – 60439-4, Elektra – 9 60439-4US1986US — 1986
    New Submission
    Cover of Master Of Puppets, 1986, CassetteMaster Of Puppets
    Cassette, Album, AR
    		Elektra – 9 60439-4US1986US — 1986
    New Submission

    Recommendations

    Reviews

    • 0xA7X's avatar
      0xA7X
      Can anyone with multiple copies tell if there is any sound difference between the SL-marked runouts, and the PXTR or PAP ones? I have variant 1, without SL in the runouts, if anyone wants to exchange samples
      • Murphquake's avatar
        Murphquake
        I have a copy of the '95 remaster in my collection from growing up. Recently snagged a copy of this version at a record fair when I saw it was the original mastering (if you're on the hunt, look for copies that credit Electra/Asylum as opposed to E/M Ventures on the back cover and the CD itself)

        Night and day difference from the '95 master, which I always thought sounded decent enough, but now sounds brick walled in comparison. This is so much better and more dynamic.

        Ultimately, though, I end up liking the sound on the 2017 Chris Bellman vinyl cut a touch better - it sacrifices a tiny bit in the dynamics, but to my ear has more kick in the low end (specifically, the bass drum comes through more powerful on my vinyl copy)

        But, if you're looking for a CD copy, this one is fantastic and seems to go for less than some of the other original mastering versions. Which I don't understand for CDs, because they should be identical.
        • joetothemo's avatar
          joetothemo
          This pressing sounds fantastic. I don’t have any other pressings to compare but it sounds significantly better than my sh*tty cassette and Sony Walkman.
          • discokogs's avatar
            discokogs
            all the copies for sale are factory sealed. how can they tell this is the 2022 remaster??
            • PoorCollectingMe's avatar
              PoorCollectingMe
              That's one of the bigger open questions regarding Metallica / Columbia House cuts.... who is SL.... the search goes on!
              • immanipper's avatar
                immanipper
                I wonder who that "SL" person is who cut this. Could anyone shed some light?
                • gorvers's avatar
                  gorvers
                  This sounds very good. I was soo glad it sounded good as it was my sons first record. Ive paid more for others of metallica and they dont sound this good. Get it!
                  • bloodlemons's avatar
                    bloodlemons
                    I recently paid way too much for the club pressing of ...And Justice For All, and it was worth every penny.

                    So much so that I decided to pay way too much for this pressing of Master of Puppets.

                    And it's worth every penny. Just crushing, but perfectly balanced and... exactly how this album should sound.

                    It's a shame that these are so hard to come by. This should be the default pressing. If you can afford it, this pressing needs to be in your collection.
                    • Cirithsaxon's avatar
                      Cirithsaxon
                      I have this nice Russian edition from the 90's. If interested, always ask for more info.
                      • rjduck-audio's avatar
                        rjduck-audio
                        To preface my review of this beloved version of Master of Puppets, I own an original Specialty DMM copy as well as this Columbia House version. I also used to have a Blackened remastered copy that I got rid of for good reason.

                        You have not listened to this album until you have heard this version of the album. I am by no means saying that the DMM versions are bad. They are great, and frankly, the DMM versions are good for the money if you don't want to spend the arm and the leg that this version costs. But if you are really looking for the best version of this album (of the original US versions), this is the one. I just want to put one disclaimer here before I say what I like better about this version. Everyone's ears are different, and you will see people on the reviews for the Allied/Specialty DMM versions saying they sound great. It is is a great version of the album like I said before, I just think this one is better.

                        After directly comparing my DMM copy to this one, here are the things that I noticed: The Columbia House version sounds much more raw to me. The guitars are right there, loud, crunchy, and in your face. I also think that there is better separation on the Columbia House version. Everything is so clear. It also has very strong, defined kicks of the bass drum. This version really kicks a**, coming from someone who owns both versions. If it is in your budget, buy it and don't look back.

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                        • Ratings:16076
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