10 Best Metallica Songs
2. Master Of Puppets - Master Of Puppets (1986)
Regarded by many as the quintessential Metallica song, the title track from Metallica’s third album is a masterclass in how to write and perform thrash metal.
Lyrically, the song addresses Hetfield’s struggle with substance abuse. Given such a theme, the song is certainly one of the darkest tracks Metallica has ever produced.
Both the verses and the chorus are loaded with aggressive riffing, and the utilisation of down-stroke picking gives the track a raw and desperate quality that is heightened still further by the changing time signatures.
The instrumental break after the second chorus then gives the listener some much-needed breathing space. This section sees Hetfield and Hammett’s guitars working in melodic harmony to create one of the catchiest compositions in the band’s discography.
The solo from Hammett is also one of the best he’s ever done. In tandem with the overall feel of the track, it has an ever-increasing sense of desperation before transitioning back into the opening riff.
Metallica have had a multitude of killer tracks over the years, but this masterpiece is a strong contender for their greatest musical achievement.