Metallica 86 The Rise of the Puppets

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For Metallica 86 was a special year, marked by the release of their seminal album Master of Puppets in March. This era recently became a topical news item again thanks to the “Eddie Munson” moment in Stranger Things, which sparked a massive debate over the legacy of 1980s metal. But for those of us who were there, 1986 wasn’t a TV show—it was a revolution.

Metallica 86: The Year of Master of Puppets Memories

Each generation has its profound musical statements. The generation that experienced the launch of Master of Puppets in 1986 holds very special musical memories—myself included. 1986 was a particularly amazing year for me. Metallica 86 saw the band progressing rapidly from the raw foundations of Kill ‘Em All and Ride the Lightning into something far more sophisticated.

Never resting their creative force, they tapped into their deepest masterpiece and hit the road to support it. The summer leg of that tour featured them paired with Ozzy Osbourne during his Ultimate Sin tour. It was a clash of titans; I went to see Ozzy, but I left a Metallica convert. That tour remains one of my most impactful musical memories from the Metallica 86 Damage Inc. era.

The “Kill Bon Jovi” Sticker and the 1986 Rivalry

What font is the kill bon Jovi sticker in?
byu/Alphboo inMetallica

Funny enough, while Metallica 86 was conquering the underground, the mainstream was dominated by the polished sounds of Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet. James Hetfield famously captured the rebellious spirit of the year by placing a “Kill Bon Jovi” sticker on his white Jackson King V guitar. It was the ultimate 1986 showdown between “Hair Metal” and the rising force of Thrash.

Clips for the Ozzy-Metallica Tour 1986

I didn’t realize my seat was in the second row, just left of center. Due to the stage size, Metallica was forced to play right at the lip of the stage because of Ozzy’s massive setup. This meant I was about 10 feet away from the Marshall stacks and the drum riser. The house lights dimmed, the intro played, and then—like a cannon going off—”Battery” hit with enough force to literally recoil the human body.

Battery: Album Version from Master of Puppets

At first, all I could see was James Hetfield’s hair flying. Once I gained my clarity, I realized I was positioned right between James and Kirk Hammett, with a clear shot of Cliff Burton and Lars. By the second song, we were all drenched in sweat. Roughly 23 shows later, the world tragically lost Cliff Burton in September of that year.

Cliff Burton Bass Solo: Metallica 86

The band has spoken many times about how Cliff was the driving force that informed their music. He was the magic involved in any given piece, possessing a rare sense of melody and orchestration. Much like Mick Ronson, he was the secret weapon. He drew no musical boundaries. The experience of that night in Metallica 86 remains a gift from the Metal Gods.

The tour had its issues even before the tragedy; Hetfield had a skateboarding accident and had to have guitar tech John Marshall fill in on rhythm. James finally returned to guitar duties in Stockholm, Sweden—ironically, the last show Cliff ever played.

The Legacy of Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets is an iconic album I never tire of. The combination of Cliff’s orchestral mind and the balance of thrash and melodic sensibility in songs like “The Thing That Should Not Be” and “Sanitarium” proved that music didn’t have to be 200 miles an hour to make an impact. It drew a line that said, “We are Metallica; we do what we want.”

The relentless touring continued after Cliff’s untimely death, proving that these songs resonated regardless of the lineup. Jason Newsted eventually took up the ride of his life. Master became a timeless work that opened doors for all metal bands. It remains one of the best records ever made—true scorching metal from the legendary year of Metallica 86.

A New Chapter: Jason Newsted Joins Metallica 86

Following the tragic loss of Cliff Burton, the band made the incredibly difficult decision to keep the momentum of Metallica 86 alive. By late October, they had recruited Jason Newsted from Flotsam and Jetsam. His debut performances brought a new, aggressive energy to the stage, proving that the Master of Puppets tour would continue to conquer the world. Below is a legendary recording of the band’s raw power during one of Jason’s earliest shows.

Metallica Full Show @ Quebec, Canada 1986 (w/ Jason Newsted)