Metallica

Master of Puppets

First released1986

Master of Puppets was recorded at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles from October 1985 to January 1986, with producer Flemming Rasmussen who had also worked on Ride the Lightning. The album was engineered by Rasmussen alongside the band, capturing their heaviest and most ambitious material to date with a focus on raw power and precision in the thrash metal sound. Recording took approximately three months with multiple takes and refinements, utilizing the studio's advanced equipment to achieve the clarity and impact the band sought. The production marked a significant step forward in production quality for the band while maintaining the aggressive aesthetic that defined their style, and the album became one of the most influential heavy metal records ever released following its July 1986 release.