Is Master of Puppets good?

Riffiter listeners rate Master of Puppets 4.2/5 from 322 ratings.

What is the highest-rated track on Master of Puppets?

Orion, rated 4.9/5 by 6 listeners on Riffiter.

When was Master of Puppets released?

Master of Puppets was released in 1986 on Elektra.

How many tracks are on Master of Puppets?

Master of Puppets has 8 tracks, with a runtime of 55 minutes.

What genre is Master of Puppets?

Master of Puppets is catalogued under Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal.

What BPM is Master of Puppets?

Master of Puppets runs at a median tempo of 108 BPM across its tracks, most often in A# minor, measured from audio analysis.

What albums are similar to Master of Puppets?

Listeners of Master of Puppets also rate Rust in Peace by Megadeth, South of Heaven by Slayer, Among the Living by Anthrax.

Who produced Master of Puppets?

Master of Puppets was produced by Flemming Rasmussen and Metallica. Flemming Rasmussen produced all of them.

Who wrote the songs on Master of Puppets?

Master of Puppets was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Cliff Burton. James Hetfield wrote 4 of them.

AlbumE · 1986

Master of Puppets

by Metallica

Master of Puppets is a 1986 thrash metal album by Metallica. It runs 8 tracks across 55 minutes on Elektra. Riffiter listeners rate it 4.2/5 from 322 ratings.

prod.

Flemming Rasmussen

Metallica 22connections

Thrash Metal · Heavy Metal · Metal

Best albums of 1986→

#3 in Best albums of 1986 · #4 in Best thrash metal albums

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4.2 /5
322 ratings: 91 /100
9 critics: 8
Tracks: 55 min
Runtime: 108 bpm
Tempo: A# minor
Key

Ratings

322 ratings · avg 4.2

0.5★5★

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@randomhero04.5★Nov 1
@kreator824.0★Oct 31
Skylar Wilce3.0★Oct 31
Joshua Hernández5.0★Oct 31
Adam Tomko4.5★Oct 31
Kev4.5★Oct 31
Gregor M5.0★Oct 29
mothkid4.5★Oct 29

Reviews

2 reviews

2.5
Jackson Futrell Sep 10, 2026
I had heard so much about how amazing this album and how it’s the place to start for anybody trying to get into metal. But listening to it the first time I was sadly let down. I do not hate this album but I was definitely disappointed with this album. I was hoping it would just blow my mind and blast me into a love of metal but in reality it just reminded me of why (personally) I don’t like metal. I don’t think it’s a bad genre but I found the songs too long, too dramatic, and sometimes cheesy while still making me feel uncomfortable with the signing and instrumentation. Metal is such an odd genre to me as it so over the top while somehow boring me. That’s not to say I think this album sucks or that I hate it. It wasn’t horrible and I can see why metal-heads love it. Also I don’t hate metal but I can say it’s just not my genre just like how a metal-head might feel about rap. On the positive side I could tell the artists are EXTREMELY talented and the drumming in particular was insane. I think technically this album is highly impressive. But for me technical proficiency only makes so much enjoyment. I may circle back to this album to give it a second chance but unfortunately no time soon. Favorite song? Master of Puppets
Reply
4.5
Riffiter Jun 7, 2026
Same eight-song blueprint as Ride the Lightning: fast opener, title epic, the slow one at track four, an instrumental near the end. On paper it is a repeat. In practice every slot got better. "Battery" opens on acoustic guitars before it turns into full-speed thrash, "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" does the ballad-to-thrash turn better than "Fade to Black", and "Disposable Heroes" is eight minutes that never drag. "Orion" is the reason to keep coming back. Most of it is Cliff Burton's, and the bass in the middle section sounds like nobody else in thrash was allowed to write like that. Flemming Rasmussen said every decision went through him, and you can hear it in how patient the long songs are. The one weak spot is "Leper Messiah", which plods where everything around it moves. Close to perfect, and the last thing he made.
Reply

52 people have played it start to finish

4 people are spinning it this week

People who scrobbled it: 4.7★ (6) · Everyone else: 4.4★ (39)

Critics

9 publications

The Rolling Stone Album Guide5/5
Chicago Tribune4/4
Collectors Guide to Heavy Metal10/10
Kerrang!5/5
AllMusic5/5
The Great Rock Discography9/10
MusicHound Rock4/5
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music4/5
Christgaus Record Guide: The 80sB−

Scores collected from the English Wikipedia ratings box (CC BY-SA). Ratings belong to the publications; follow a link to read the review.

Master of Puppets album cover

1 rating

The Master of Puppets cover was designed by Metallica and Peter Mensch, photographed by Bob Ellis, Rich Likong and Ross Halfin, and illustrated by Don Brautigam. Riffiter listeners rate it 3.5 out of 5 from 1 rating.

Design: Metallica, Peter Mensch
Photography: Bob Ellis, Rich Likong, Ross Halfin
Illustration: Don Brautigam

Your rating for the cover

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3.5 · 1 rating

Tracklist

8 tracks · 55 min

Ranked head-to-head

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Videos

1 video

Ranked by listeners

top 5 · 8 rated tracks

According to Riffiter listeners, the best track on Master of Puppets is Orion — rated 4.9/5 by 6 listeners.

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About

Master of Puppets is the third studio album by the American thrash metal band Metallica. It was released on March 3, 1986, through Vertigo Records, Music for Nations and Elektra Records, making it the group's major label debut. The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart[2 and was the group's first record to be certified gold for sales of over 500,000 copies. This was done without any radio airplay or the release of a music video. The album was certified six times platinum by the RIAA. Master of Puppets received positive reviews. Master of Puppets marks the last Metallica album with bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a bus accident while touring to promote the album.

In brief

Is Master of Puppets good?: Riffiter listeners rate Master of Puppets 4.2/5 from 322 ratings.
What is the highest-rated track on Master of Puppets?: Orion, rated 4.9/5 by 6 listeners on Riffiter.
When was Master of Puppets released?: Master of Puppets was released in 1986 on Elektra.
How many tracks are on Master of Puppets?: Master of Puppets has 8 tracks, with a runtime of 55 minutes.
What genre is Master of Puppets?: Master of Puppets is catalogued under Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal.
What BPM is Master of Puppets?: Master of Puppets runs at a median tempo of 108 BPM across its tracks, most often in A# minor, measured from audio analysis.
What albums are similar to Master of Puppets?: Listeners of Master of Puppets also rate Rust in Peace by Megadeth, South of Heaven by Slayer, Among the Living by Anthrax.
Who produced Master of Puppets?: Master of Puppets was produced by Flemming Rasmussen and Metallica. Flemming Rasmussen produced all of them.
Who wrote the songs on Master of Puppets?: Master of Puppets was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Cliff Burton. James Hetfield wrote 4 of them.