METALLICA’s ‘Master Of Puppets’ Named ‘Best Metal Album of All Time’ by Germany’s METAL HAMMER Magazine
German music magazine Metal Hammer is celebrating its 50th anniversary with its 500th issue, available from Friday, June 21, 2024. This special edition features a ranking of the 500 greatest metal albums ever, selected by a jury of nearly 100 editors, musicians, industry professionals, and notable metal fans.
METALLICA’s “Master Of Puppets” has been awarded the top spot. The magazine praised the album for its “complex structures, musical depth, and massive sing-along potential — and guitar solos for the ages.” They noted that “the compositional lessons instilled in [James] Hetfield and [Lars] Ulrich by Cliff Burton since the band’s inception reach their full bloom here. For Metal Hammer, this is now officially the best opus in metal history!”
METALLICA has five albums featured on the Metal Hammer list of the 500 best metal albums. Other legends in heavy metal such as MOTÖRHEAD, AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, MANOWAR, and SLAYER are also represented, along with modern acts like SLIPKNOT, TOOL, NIGHTWISH, GHоST, IN FLAMES, and SLEEP TOKEN.
“Compiling this list was certainly a mammoth task – but one we gladly took on for the extra-thick 500th issue,” said Metal Hammer editor-in-chief Sebastian Kessler. “What an intense trip through the history of metal; perfect for celebrating Metal Hammer’s 40th anniversary! There’s rarely been so much discussion, philosophy, weighing, and argumentation. And with the release of the results, it’s likely just the beginning.”
The full list can be found in Metal Hammer issue 07/2024, which features a golden cover and 32 extra pages. Other topics include concert reviews from METALLICA, AC/DC, and I PREVAIL, exclusive features on new albums from DEEP PURPLE, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE, ORDEN OGAN, and NEAERA, and a report on the inclusive metal festival Rock In Rautheim.