How The Master Of Puppets Changed Metallica's Career And Its Impact On Metal World

Kirk Hammet (Instagram @kirkkhammet)

JAKARTA - Guitarist Kirk Hammett discussed the creation of the Master Of Puppets and how the album changed Metallica's career track and its impact on the metal world.

"We are not trying to make an album that people will make for 35 years or more and are still considered sound good," Hammett told Rock Candy editor Howard Johnson.

"We didn't do anything, really. We're just trying to make the best album we can and that's what comes out."

Released on March 3, 1986, Master Of Puppets is the third album of the US heavy metal giant, recorded in Denmark with producer Flemming Rasmussen - and sold more than six million copies in the US alone.

"From a technical point of view, when I listened to the album, I was really surprised how good this album heard long after that (it was released)," said Hammett.

Master Of Puppets is Burton's last appearance with Metallica. The bassist tragically died on September 27, 1986 in an accident while on a tour promoting the album.

"Cede's contribution to Master Of Puppets is very melodic and musical," Hammett explained.

"There's not much contribution to the big heavy riffs. It's all a bass melody, and it's a lot of really, really cool things. When Cliff left, it was the end of an era, and we all know it. We know it."

More than 35 years after its release, the Master Of Puppets is a recognized thrash classic genre and is proud to be kept in the US Congress Library.

"Dulturally, history, or aesthetically (this album) is important (for the metal world)," Hammett revealed the reason.

"A lot of music from that time now sounds the same and similar," he said. "But really nothing in the Master Of Puppets comes from a certain period - in terms of sound, production, recording. Master Of Puppets is my favorite of all the albums we've ever made."