If you guessed that this is Metallica then give yourself a pat on the back because the runner up for best hard rock/metal album of 1986 is.................
Metallica-Master of puppets
These guys had come a long ways in just a few years by this point. On this album they were so in control as they mixed speed with seamless pace changes and kept the songs going with ease. This was and still is a very important album for metal. These guys made fans of more traditional metal bands like Maiden, Priest and Ozzy realize that there were different kinds of metal around. Metallica also changed the way bands dressed as their image of no image appealed to fans. They were at the top of the underground in early 1986, but by the end of the year they were moving towards the top of the metal heap as it were. There was a point late in 1986 where Master had created such a stir that new fans went out and bought Ride the lightning and Kill 'em all as well. Thus putting all three albums into the top 100 at the same time.
***In almost any other year in the 80's Master of puppets would have been the top album. Yet in 1986 there was one that was better and it wasn't even a contest in my mind because this album was clearly the best of the year when I heard it twenty years ago and it's still great today. I was actually listening to it in my car yesterday. The hint for number one is that it clocks in at under half an hour in length. So on Sunday I will reveal number one.
Under half an hour in length--a dead giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Pastor of Muppets deserves its legendary reputation. I listened to it constantly during the summer of '86. The great thing was that they squeezed 50 mins of music onto the LP and it still sounded like the heaviest thing on Earth. Metallica never topped it, IMO. RIP Cliff.
1986 was a good year, as your list demonstrates.
This was by far their best recording...ever!
ReplyDeleteWhile I think Reign in Blood is the best speed metal album of all time, Master of Puppets is a better album in general. Reign isn't able to transcend its genre and appeal to many people outside of metal. Mast on the other hand is so well written and interesting, that I'd question the credibility of anyone who can't at least appreciate it. It's a pretty good year when the #1 and #2 speed metal albums of all time come out!
ReplyDeleteEvery so often I go to this red neck karaoke bar in Louisville, and most of the people in there sing Vince Gill and Toby Keith songs. My friend Daniel sings Master of Puppet almost every time we go and it kicks ass.
ReplyDeletethe mule-In 1986 I truly thought Metallica would put out more albums just as good as Master. However I think they saw the dollar sign and never even came close after this.
ReplyDeleterockdog-I probably prefer Ride the lightning just a little, but both albums are great.
Bob-Do you open your presents days before Christmas? Because you are already jumping ahead to what number one might be. Master is very well written and Slayer never developed like that. Actually no other speed metal type band developed quite like that and not so quickly.
Captain Corky-That's cool about your friend. I went to college in Kentucky and unfortunately you can't escape country music.
I'm learning a lot from reading your list, obviously I'm more of a hard rock person as opposed to hardcore...Metallica was the first hardcore group I liked but I'd have to say I like Ride the Lightning better than Master although this one is a good one too. And you're right on the money with the clothes/style thing.
ReplyDeleteOne of the two best in '86, and one of the best albums by anyone ever.
ReplyDelete-- david
onmywatch-I like alot of hard rock too, but 1986 was very much a metal year. There were some hard rock albums that year from Diamond Dave, Ratt, Tesla, WASP and Cinderella, but it was laregly ruled by metal albums.
ReplyDeleteDavid-Exactly, it's still great today and it will still sound sharp twenty years from now.
With Master of Puppets, Metallica was able to transcend genres and created an album that even shitkickers liked.
ReplyDeleteThis is in my top five favorite albums.
ReplyDeleteit's Metallica's last true moment of greatness
ReplyDelete