Metallica’s Master Of Puppets is one of the most iconic albums of all-time. It’s a flawless metal record from top to bottom, filled with everything that makes Metallica the “Gods of Metal.”

Albums like this don’t come together without some amazing stories behind them, so we dug in to find some of the most fascinating details behind the creation of Metallica’s metal masterpiece.

1. Master of Puppets was recorded in Denmark.. and only at night

Metallica recorded Master Of Puppets in drummer Lars Ulrich’s homeland of Denmark and never adjusted to the time change. The band would start working on the album at 7 pm and end their sessions around 5 am, living a nocturnal cycle while creating this metal masterpiece. It was such a distinct vibe that Ulrich even commented that he felt like they “never saw daylight” and being in darkness so often was his “main recollection” from the recording process.

2. Metallica made quick work of recording

It took Metallica four months to record Master Of Puppets, while each of their previous releases to that point (Kill ‘Em All, Ride The Lightning) took less than a month to complete. The band hasn’t spent less than four months on an album since they finished Master Of Puppets in December 1985.

3. James Hetfield created the first album art sketch

The iconic Master Of Puppets album cover began as a sketch from Metallica frontman James Hetfield. What is now one of the most recognizable pieces of art in music history came directly from the lead singer’s imagination. Final artist Don Brautigam used the sketch as a rough draft to create the legendary design.

4. The original art sold for $28,000!

The original Don Brautigam Master Of Puppets album cover painting sold for $28,000 during a 2008 auction. It features the art elements of the design only, omitting the Metallica logo and Master Of Puppets title.

5. The Stephen King-Metallica connection

Brautigam has interesting ties to Metallica. He previously had designed the artwork for Stephen King’s The Stand, which the band actually drew inspiration from in their previous album Ride The Lightning. Ulrich was reading King’s novel and came upon a passage about a death row inmate waiting to be executed so he can “ride the lightning.” Brautigam creating the immortal Master Of Puppets album cover is fascinating full-circle moment.

6. Obey your master

The Master Of Puppets album artwork is filled with symbolism. “Master Of Puppets” itself is a song about the destructive influence that addiction has on society. Hetfield wanted to capture those feelings of despair and loss with endless rows of nameless gravestones, controlled by the ominous puppeteer pulling strings from the sky.

7. Remembering the Disposable Heroes

The other track the cover draws inspiration from is “Disposable Heroes,” Metallica’s scathing anti-war song. It’s not just nameless crosses, though. There’s a lone hanging military helmet on the left-most cross, as well as an often-overlooked set of dog tags hanging from the cross that’s front and center.

8. When worlds nearly collide

Rush bassist and singer Geddy Lee was originally slated to produce Master Of Puppets but couldn’t due to a scheduling conflict. Progressive Metallica, anyone?

9. Say what?

The final 20 seconds of “Master Of Puppets” is actually a backwards recording of their guitars, layered with an echo of the entire band laughing.

10. Mastering the metal

Kirk Hammett took the time to work on his craft before entering the studio to record Master Of Puppets, seeking out his mentor and renowned guitarist Joe Satriani. Hammett wanted to improve his recording efficiency before stepping into the studio, then connecting with him again when Metallica was on break following the first leg of the Damage, Inc. Tour.

11. Share the snare

Another surprising band that played a hand in bringing Master Of Puppets together is Def Leppard. The snare drum that Lars Ulrich used through the studio sessions was actually loaned from Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen, sharing a classic Ludwig “Black Beauty” snare model that’s still being manufactured today.

Master Of Puppets is the final album founding bassist Cliff Burton is featured on prior to his tragic death. Burton is heavily-credited for developing Metallica’s sound and evolving the thrasher genre by applying his advanced music theory knowledge. Burton left an all-time classic album behind while solidifying the foundation for Metallica, and frontman James Hetfield honored his memory by tattooing the bass notes from the epic “Orion” instrumental on his left arm.

 

13. On the road with Ozzy

Metallica played a total of 144 shows during the Damage, Inc. Tour, the concert tour in support of Master Of Puppets. The headlining act for their concerts through the first six months was Ozzy Osbourne, however, despite the tour being centered on Metallica. Other notable bands that played on this tour include: Armored Saint, Anthrax, and Metal Church.

14.Banned in China

It’s estimated that Metallica has played “Master Of Puppets” in concert over 1,500 times, but when the band played in China for the first time in 2013, they were prohibited from playing the famed tune due to its “subversive” and drug-related themes.

15. Six million sold and counting

Master Of Puppets sold 300,000 copies the first three weeks following its release, Metallica’s first gold certification. In the 33 years since its release, it’s now been platinum certified six times, selling over 6,000,000 units and solidified itself as one of the greatest albums of all-time.