Master of Puppets - Metallica (Cassette)

Go ahead and call Metallica what you want. Call them sell-outs, greedy bastards or whatever else crossed your mind. However, it's hard to argue that the band recorded some bone-crushing metal when the group was in its prime.

While this is one of the best heavy metal albums of all time, it's also noteworthy in that it was the last one on which bassist Cliff Burton appeared. Burton, of course, was killed in Sweden when Metallica's bus crashed while the band was touring in support of this disc. His influence on the band was massive, and it seems the band went off in weird directions after his death.

Let me explain what I mean by that. Metallica, at first, emphasized highly-technical musit played at lightening-fast speeds. The band really pulled everything together for this disc and released something that was mind-numbingly fast, complex and heavy as can be. After Burton's death, Metallica replaced him with Jason Newsted. While the band stuck with about the same Masters of Puppets formula on 1988's ...And Justice for All, notice what the band did with the bass guitar on that. That's right, I challenge you to hear Newsted at all. Kind of strange when you consider that Burton's innovative and intense bass playing was one of the elements that defined the band in the early days.

To further pull away from Burton's influence, the band released 1991's self-titled disc, on which the complex song structures were all but eliminated, the music became much slower and drummer Lars Ulrich -- known for his furious, double-bass drum thunder -- played like he had a broken leg. Metallica just went down-hill after that, choosing a relatively safe path as opposed to the chaotic, innovative one the trail blazed while with Burton.

Now, is that to say that ...And Justice for All and Metallica were terrible discs? Not at all! I do believe ...And Justice for All is a great disc hampered by awful production. Metallica isn't bad, but it sure as hell doesn't sound like the band was following the same muse that lured it into the music biz when the group formed in 1981. All I'm saying is that Burton had a massive influence over the band's sound, and his loss was very noticeable on the discs that followed 1986's Master of Puppets.

Having said all that, what's this disc like? Frankly, heavy metal doesn't get much better than this. This disc is absolutely muscular, unrelenting and powerful all the way through. If you want an example of "good" heavy metal, I doubt you'll come up with much better than this. While I love ...And Justice for All in spite of its bad production qualities, the sheer power of this disc makes it Metallica's finest work.

Really, I've been meaning to write a review of this thing for a couple of years now, but just haven't gotten around to it. This is one of those discs that's very tough to describe. I mean, how do you explain the sheer, pulse-pounding pace of Battery and Damage, Inc. in terms that don't sound stupid? How can you explain the brilliant -- and downright paranoid -- title track? Really, it's quite tough, and I reckon I'll fail to describe the album accurately. Regardless, I'll give it a shot.

Really, this disc is about power, I think -- or, rather, being on the wrong end of it. Whether the band rails against being under the power of another or falling victim to drugs, insanity or whatever, the whole thing boils down to a fear of not being in control of one's life. That's an elemental fear, I believe, and one that the band drives home with absolute intensity.

Through the whole thing, vocalist James Hetfield just growls away and bangs out muted, chunky chords on his rhythm guitar. Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett tosses in mind-boggling solos and fills at just the right moments while Ulrich sounds like he's running rather than just drumming and manages to make the Who's Keith Moon sound almost tame at times. And, of course, Burton throws in the usual busy, fantastic bass lines, most notably on Orion, an instrumental in which he's featured prominently.

All told, the fear of being victimized or lacking enough power to take control of one's own destiny is driven home in a none-too-subtle manner. Indeed, this disc is about as subtle as being punched right in the gut. It's loud, fast and absolutely angry. Like I said, if you want a disc that embodies all that is good about heavy metal, this one delivers the goods.