Rare Used METALLICA: Master of Puppets Vinyl LP 1st Pressing on Elektra Records from 1986! Whoever had this before it came into my possession, did not take very good care of it! It needs some love, but it will probably not play well! Make me an offer if you do not like the price! Still a cool find to look at: see pictures for details!

Master of Puppets is the third studio album by American band , released on March 3, 1986 by . Recorded at the with producer , it was the first Metallica album released on a major label. Master of Puppets was the band's last album to feature bassist , who died in a bus crash in Sweden during the album's promotional tour. The album peaked at number 29 on the and became the first album to be certified . It was certified 6× platinum by the (RIAA) in 2003 for shipping six million copies in the United States. The album was eventually certified 6× platinum by and gold by the (BPI).

Master of Puppets was released to critical acclaim and has been included in several publications' best album lists. Its driving, virtuosic music and angry, political lyrics drew praise from critics outside the metal community. The album is considered the band's strongest effort of the period and is one of the most influential heavy metal albums. Critics credit it for consolidating the American thrash metal scene with its atmospheric and meticulously performed songs. Many bands from all genres of heavy metal have covered the album's songs, including tribute albums. Master of Puppets was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" enough for preservation in the by the United States in 2016. Only 450 recordings have earned this distinction, with Master of Puppets being the first metal selection.

The cover was designed by Metallica and and painted by Don Brautigam. It depicts a cemetery field of white crosses tethered to strings, manipulated by a pair of hands in a blood-red sky. Instead of releasing a single or video in the US to promote Master of Puppets, Metallica embarked on a five-month American tour in support of . The European leg was canceled after Burton's death in September 1986, and the band returned home to audition a new bassist. Metallica honored the album's 20th anniversary on the tour, by playing it in its entirety.

Track listing

All lyrics written by James Hetfield.

Side one No. Title Music Length 1. "Battery"   Hetfield, 5:12 2. ""   Hetfield, Ulrich, , 8:36 3. "The Thing That Should Not Be"   Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett 6:37 4. "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)"   Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett 6:27 Side two No. Title Music Length 5. "Disposable Heroes"   Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett 8:17 6. "Leper Messiah"   Hetfield, Ulrich 5:40 7. "Orion" (Instrumental) Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton 8:28 8. "Damage, Inc."   Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton, Hammett 5:29 Total length: 54:46