Listen to the Song
Song DNA
Genre
Metal
Era
80s
Mood
Aggressive
Tempo
Fast
Key
Minor
Texture
Layered
Sound
Guitar-driven
Feel
Straight
Metallica
Metallica (1991)
Cliff Burton, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett +1
Widely regarded as the pinnacle of thrash metal, this track showcases Metallica's technical precision and progressive songwriting. It balances aggressive down-picked riffs with a melodic mid-section, solidifying its place as one of the most influential songs in heavy metal history.
Master of Puppets is a masterclass in 'Metal Harmony.' It blends strict functional harmony (especially in the clean interlude and chorus) with highly dissonant, chromatic riffing in the verses. The song uses the E low-string as a constant tonal center (pedal p…
The song was written by the entire band—James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, and Kirk Hammett—making it the only track on the album to credit all four members. It was developed during rehearsals in the band's garage in El Cerrito, California, before they…
“James Hetfield played all of the rhythm guitar tracks on the song to ensure the tightest possible synchronization.”
Master of Puppets is a masterclass in 'Metal Harmony.' It blends strict functional harmony (especially in the clean interlude and chorus) with highly dissonant, chromatic riffing in the verses. The song uses the E low-string as a constant tonal center (pedal point), while the upper voices move through Phrygian and Locrian intervals. The transition from the aggressive, chromatic verse to the melodic, Aeolian chorus provides the structural tension and release that defines the genre.
The song was written by the entire band—James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, and Kirk Hammett—making it the only track on the album to credit all four members. It was developed during rehearsals in the band's garage in El Cerrito, California, before they flew to Denmark to record.
Widely regarded as the pinnacle of thrash metal, this track showcases Metallica's technical precision and progressive songwriting. It balances aggressive down-picked riffs with a melodic mid-section, solidifying its place as one of the most influential songs in heavy metal history.
Detailed analysis of this section is not yet available for this song.
Genre
Metal
Era
80s
Mood
Aggressive
Tempo
Fast
Key
Minor
Texture
Layered
Sound
Guitar-driven
Feel
Straight
16.8M
Plays
1.7M
Listeners
1.1M
Genius Views
19
Annotations
100%
Popularity
17:41
Duration
4/4
Time
From the album Load
Harmony Master of Puppets is a masterclass in 'Metal Harmony.' It blends strict functional harmony (especially in the clean interlude and chorus) with highly dissonant, chromatic riffing in the verses. The song uses the E low-string as a constant tonal center (pedal point), while the upper voices move through Phrygian and Locrian intervals. The transition from the aggressive, chromatic verse to the melodic, Aeolian chorus provides the structural tension and release that defines the genre. Deep Analysis Available Detailed analysis of this section is not yet available for this song. Request Full Analysis
No musician information available for this song yet.
Composition The song was written by the entire band—James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, and Kirk Hammett—making it the only track on the album to credit all four members. It was developed during rehearsals in the band's garage in El Cerrito, California, before they flew to Denmark to record. Inspiration: The lyrics explore the theme of control and addiction, specifically how drugs can take over a person's life. James Hetfield described the 'Master' as the drug itself, which manipulates the user like a puppet. Recording Studio: Sweet Silence Studios Producer: Flemming Rasmussen and Metallica James Hetfield played all of the rhythm guitar tracks on the song to ensure the tightest possible synchronization. The melodic middle section features a dual-guitar harmony played by Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. The recording features 'reversed' cymbal swells and various sound effects created by Cliff Burton and Hetfield.
Chord Sheet Chords Used Hide functions E5 i T D5 VII D C5 VI T G5 III T B5 V D Progression by Section Clean_interlude Em i T D VII T C VI Am iv P B V D Chorus E5 i T D5 VII T C5 VI A5 iv P B5 V D Verse E5 i T F#5 ii T G5 bIII F5 bII P Chord Fingerings E5 Standard D5 Standard C5 Standard G5 Standard B5 Standard Harmony Analysis Master of Puppets is a masterclass in 'Metal Harmony.' It blends strict functional harmony (especially in the clean interlude and chorus) with highly dissonant, chromatic riffing in the verses. The song uses the E low-string as a constant tonal center (pedal point), while the upper voices move through Phrygian and Locrian intervals. The transition from the aggressive, chromatic verse to the melodic, Aeolian chorus provides the structural tension and release that defines the genre. Find Tabs & Chords Songsterr Interactive tabs Ultimate Guitar Chords & tabs Cifra Club Chords
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