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 | Title : Master of Puppets
Author : Metallica
Release Date : 19901025
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $17.98
Amazon.com Price : $13.49
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Editorial Reviews :
One of the defining albums of thrash metal, Master of Puppets is arguably Metallica's best album (as well as their last with bassist Cliff Burton). Focusing on the concept of power and abuses thereof, this is a collection of complex, intelligent music, played at about a hundred miles an hour. Not that these are short songs; this eight-song album clocks in at over an hour, which makes it all the more impressive that not one moment on this recording is boring. In tackling various approaches to their subject, Metallica is insightful lyrically as well as musically: 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' is from the point of view of an institutionalized inmate and 'Disposable Heroes' is the perspective of a soldier. If all you've heard of Metallica is what's been on the radio recently, check this one out. You're in for a surprise. --Genevieve Williams
Buyer Reviews :
Metallica's album 'Master of Puppets' is basically the album that really doesn't set Metallica apart musically. On this effort they do anything that any other washed out outfit in that day did. Except 10 times better.
Take Bon Jovi's 'Cowboy'(i'm not sure of the actual title if that's not it). It starts with a descending guitar lick then slowly builds from the pre-chorus into a fully rocking power ballad. You've all heard this type of thing before if you even bothered to flick on a radio around 1986 or so. Now take the opening track from our subject album. It begins with a lush flamenco guitar line. It gives the feeling of a parting shot from an old civil war black white movie at the very end. The feeling is sad, moving, almost haunting. Then a distorted guitar plays a cranked up version of the melody until it is stripped away without notice to reveal the wiry jaws of the beast. Though this is no super dumb slayer thrash though. Lars Ulrichs chain-fire drumming, and James Hetfield's pumping riff assault lock together perfectly. It moves alright, but with tighter precision and melodic force.
The rest of the album comes packed with as many great moments. Each song on the uses a different melodic device. Songs like 'Disposable Heroes' and 'Master of Puppets' sprawl forth at a manic tempo. Almost tripping over themsleves to get to the next part. The ashes of a solo or bridge still smoldering as the next part breaks through. Songs like 'Lepper Messiah' use a simple 1-2 chug, chug to establish a monster groove. James volitale riffing then slows the songs the down to a brutal back and forth tempo.
Kirk Hammets soloing is mostly frenzied when it is called upon. But during calmer moments his soloing sings with a violin like whine as he lays down the awesome solos for 'Sanitarium' or 'Orion'. His phrasing is never at a fail. Just for fun he even throws in a coupale of vague 'hendrixisms' at times.
Last ,but not least when you can hear him Cliff Burton's bass is what basically gave Metallica it's melodic punch. Precise and clean he does more than double Jame's riffs. He's very much the consumate heavy metal bass player. He keep a steady counter melody flowing for the slow parts then holds down the low end when the insanty rushes forth. Why oh why, do the good ones have to die.
Master of puppets though it has many talents really owns it's self to the lyrics. The songs are mainly about the abuse of power and personal abuse. He becomes the victim and the abuser. 'Sanitarium' is from the point of view of an institutionalized veteran. 'Master of Puppets' is a horrifying account of the life of a drug user. It seems that though the drug is the one recalling about its interaction with a victim as if it were a ruthless dictator. The only lyrically uncharacteristic song on here is 'The Thing That Should Not Be'. It more or less waxes poetic about an ancient demon rising from the depths of the earth to wreak havoc, and not in a metaphorical sense.
'Master of Puppets' looked good on paper when alot of other albums were about as thin. It's sprawling arrangements and intelligent musicianship gave it the depth and abilty to carry it beyond it's given era. It has now proven itself as one the all time greats. I personally would like to see Korn make anything this convincing.
(by aaron rivette)
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