Spring Break
Flashback: Metallica
"Master of Puppets" 1986
Khaled Okla
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: The Edge
- Page 1 of 1
The band released probably its greatest album to date in 1986: "Master of Puppets." Metallica is a band that will forever remain a source of comparison when another metal band is juxtaposed. Its heavy guitars and fast tempos make this the album that rocks harder than any other Metallica album.
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett (guitars) put their finger work to good use in the album's title track "Master of Puppets." The fast and melodic harmonization at the end of the song shows the composing capabilities of the band. The lightning-fast solo merges its way into the second bridge very smoothly and also shows the members' capabilities to write hooks. The guitar riffs in the verses and the chord progression in the chorus makes a person want to buy the album based on the guitar playing alone.
The lead track, "Battery," is a good way to start an album. "Battery's" intro, a three-voice harmony with classical guitars, begins a hellish beast that is unleashed as the volume rises. As in "Master of Puppets," the band shows its appreciation of classical composition with melodic and harmonic minor note choices while still sounding like a heavy, speed metal band.
On "Sanitarium," the album begins to break away from its speedy songs and brings about a ballad-like song with a catchy chorus.
"Orion" is the album's eight-minute epic instrumental track with hypnotic guitar and bass lines and shifting melodies and rhythms. Even with its progressive sound, the song always comes back to an origin after so many minutes and turns around with a complementary solo. It then leads out with Allman Brothers-like guitar unison.
Who could forget the extremely fast, lead-out track "Damage Inc."? The song starts with a faint guitar, and the volume increases on each successive pair of notes. Then, a completely unexpected increase in volume leads to a heavily distorted guitar picked incredibly fast. Again, this song shows classical influence and has virtuosic elements since the tempo is extremely fast. Frankly, this song has to be murder on the right hand of a guitarist, especially during the very long solo.
"Master of Puppets" is an album to be remembered by its music, not so much the lyrics. Nowadays, Metallica is looking for the best hooks and not the best composing.
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett (guitars) put their finger work to good use in the album's title track "Master of Puppets." The fast and melodic harmonization at the end of the song shows the composing capabilities of the band. The lightning-fast solo merges its way into the second bridge very smoothly and also shows the members' capabilities to write hooks. The guitar riffs in the verses and the chord progression in the chorus makes a person want to buy the album based on the guitar playing alone.
The lead track, "Battery," is a good way to start an album. "Battery's" intro, a three-voice harmony with classical guitars, begins a hellish beast that is unleashed as the volume rises. As in "Master of Puppets," the band shows its appreciation of classical composition with melodic and harmonic minor note choices while still sounding like a heavy, speed metal band.
On "Sanitarium," the album begins to break away from its speedy songs and brings about a ballad-like song with a catchy chorus.
"Orion" is the album's eight-minute epic instrumental track with hypnotic guitar and bass lines and shifting melodies and rhythms. Even with its progressive sound, the song always comes back to an origin after so many minutes and turns around with a complementary solo. It then leads out with Allman Brothers-like guitar unison.
Who could forget the extremely fast, lead-out track "Damage Inc."? The song starts with a faint guitar, and the volume increases on each successive pair of notes. Then, a completely unexpected increase in volume leads to a heavily distorted guitar picked incredibly fast. Again, this song shows classical influence and has virtuosic elements since the tempo is extremely fast. Frankly, this song has to be murder on the right hand of a guitarist, especially during the very long solo.
"Master of Puppets" is an album to be remembered by its music, not so much the lyrics. Nowadays, Metallica is looking for the best hooks and not the best composing.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sanya
posted 4/08/07 @ 1:58 PM CST
Master of Puppets.. an amazing album of an amazing band!
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