 | I'm recommending this listening experience because in order to live life to its fullest, you have to be willing to try new things. As an alternative to orchestral music, I offer Metallica's "Master of Puppets." The musicianship and lyricism presented in this work is fantastic. The instrumental song "Orion" was almost entirely composed by late bass player Cliff Burton, whose life was cut short on tour in Sweden in 1987. He studied classical music as well as more contemporary forms in college prior to his work with Metallica. His sense of harmony and melody was top notch.
In addition to the instrumental, this album is full of significant work such as "Disposable Heroes" which illustrates the ways in which soldiers are viewed by their commanders. The title track "Master of Puppets" is a condemnation of cocaine, intricately written. One thing many do not know about Metallica is that while most other bands in their genre have at least at some point dabbled in drugs, Metallica has condemned them completely. Their original lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, now famous for forming the band Megadeth, was kicked to the curb for using cocaine. The band has had its bouts with alcohol, but has always been drug-free.
On top of their against-the-grain stance on drugs, the band gained mass popularity in the 1980s for refusing to cake on make-up and tease their hair. They were a t-shirt and jeans, no nonsense band of skilled musicians whose songs were accessible but skillful. This album is worth listening to, and is only listed under "headbanging caterwauling" because the closed-minded moderator refuses to acknowledge anything outside of classical music as music.
Have a listen. If this album's not your thing, it's not your thing. But give this masterfully written and performed work of art a chance.
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