Ex-Megadeth bassist David Ellefson recently shared his thoughts on Metallica’s iconic “Master of Puppets” album. He explained why he considers it groundbreaking in the metal genre, as reported by Louder Sound.
Ellefson reflected on his first impression of the album and its impact on the thrash metal scene. He particularly highlighted its progressive elements.
“It sounded big time. I remember thinking, ‘These guys are really fucking doing it, man,'” Ellefson said. “You had the intensity of Battery, which really upped the thrash game, then you had Welcome Home (Sanitarium), which was this dark ballad, and then you had Orion, which could almost be on a King Crimson album.”
The bassist elaborated on what made the album unique compared to other thrash releases of the time.
“In a way, it was the first metal prog album,” he continued. “The whole thing was almost an hour long, but there’s only eight songs on it, and the songs are five, six, seven minutes long. No other thrash band was doing that at that time.”
Ellefson also revealed how the album influenced his own approach to music. This came despite the complicated history between Megadeth and Metallica.
“Obviously, Dave Mustaine had a history with Metallica. I made it known that I liked the album, but I’d definitely change the channel when he got in the car,” he said. “But when we were on tour, I’d listen to it in my bunk on my Walkman in private. I studied that record and what they were doing: ‘F*ck man, we need to do that. How do we do it?’ We were never going to sound like them, but it really upped the game for me when it came to songwriting.”
Ellefson’s assessment of “Master of Puppets” as a progressive metal milestone is supported by the album’s remarkable commercial and critical success. This success helped establish new standards for the thrash metal genre.
Wikipedia noted that “Master of Puppets” was released in 1986. The album peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 and achieved platinum certification. This demonstrated that complex, lengthy metal compositions could achieve mainstream success. The album’s sophisticated song structures and extended compositions indeed set it apart from the shorter, more straightforward thrash releases of the era.
The tension Ellefson referenced between Megadeth and Metallica has deep roots in metal history. Wikipedia reported that Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica in 1983 due to substance abuse issues and personality conflicts with other band members. This dismissal led Mustaine to form Megadeth later that year. It created one of thrash metal’s most famous rivalries.
The influence of “Master of Puppets” on the metal genre extends far beyond its initial release. Loudwire documented that the album is widely credited with pioneering progressive elements in thrash metal. It inspired countless bands to experiment with longer song formats and more complex arrangements. Its impact can be heard in the work of progressive metal pioneers like Dream Theater and later thrash bands who adopted similar epic song structures.
The album’s lasting legacy is evident in its continued recognition by critics and musicians alike. Rolling Stone confirmed that “Master of Puppets” consistently ranks among the greatest metal albums of all time. Many cite its perfect balance of aggression and sophistication as a template for progressive thrash metal.
