Metallica is a band that needs no introduction, since they are the epitome of the metal band and almost every metal act since them cite them as an influence. The album Master Of Puppets should need no introduction either, since it is the single most influential hard rock or metal album ever made. Songs like "Battery", "Damage Inc.", "Master Of Puppets", and "The Thing That Should Not Be" defined thrash at its highest point and were groundbreaking arrangements that defied all of the cliches of the 80s metal band. The songs aren't for the short attention-spanned, though, since none of the songs are of the standard 3 to 4 minute "friendly rock" that is found on the radio. These songs are complex 6 to 8 minute long songs that are riddled with amazing leads, great riffs, and the amazing James Hetfield's signature growling voice. The best song on this CD in my opinion is the 8 minute long "Orion", an instrumental that was bassist Cliff Burton's greatest work (he helped write many songs and added harmony and better musicianship to the band). If this album could be any better, everyone's head would explode since it is a near perfect album, and since nothing can be perfect, it would cause a mass head-explosion. That is all.

This is my all-time favorite. Dark, melodic, progressive.