These isolated tracks break Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” into its parts: Kirk Hammett’s lead guitar, and the drums (Lars Ulrich), bass (Cliff Burton) and vocals (James Hetfield). It’s the title track of the band’s 1986 album and the last Metallica album recorded with Cliff Burton.
GUITAR (Kirk Hammett):
DRUMS (Lars Ulrich), BASS (Cliff Burton) and VOCALS (James Hetfield):
What to listen for
- Relentless down-picking. The main riff is played with all down-strokes; with the band stripped away you can hear how even Hetfield’s rhythm playing is.
- The clean middle section. The song drops into a melodic, clean interlude with harmonized guitar lines before Hammett’s solo. Isolated, the layering is easy to follow.
- Cliff Burton’s bass. Burton doubles the riffs but adds his own movement underneath; listen for where he departs from the guitar.
Track facts
- Album: Master of Puppets (1986)
- Produced by: Metallica with Flemming Rasmussen, recorded at Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen
- Lineup: James Hetfield (vocals, rhythm guitar), Kirk Hammett (lead guitar), Cliff Burton (bass), Lars Ulrich (drums)
- Later revival: the song reached a new generation in 2022 when it featured in Stranger Things season 4.
FAQ
Who plays bass on Master of Puppets?
Cliff Burton. It was his final studio album with Metallica before his death in September 1986.
Who produced Master of Puppets?
Metallica co-produced it with Danish producer Flemming Rasmussen.
More: all Metallica isolated tracks, including Cliff Burton’s bass on Orion and Battery.
