Former METALLICA Producer Calls 'Master Of Puppets' 'A Masterpiece For Its Time'

It was 25 years ago last month that METALLICA released its epic third studio album, "Master Of Puppets". The disc came out on March 3, 1986 and was produced by Flemming Rasmussen, who also produced 1984's "Ride The Lightning" and 1988's "...And Justice For All" for the band. In an interview with AOL's Noisecreep, Rasmussen was asked how he first got in touch with METALLICA. "They contacted me after they heard the production I did on RAINBOW's 'Difficult To Cure' album," he replied. "They really liked the sound I got on that record, so they reached out to me. The success of 'Ride The Lightning' made it really easy to continue our collaboration for the next couple of albums."

"I actually didn't hear METALLICA until we started making the 'Ride The Lightning' album," he admitted. "The band played 'Kill 'Em All' for me because we were checking out some of the sounds on the record. To be honest, I wasn't impressed with the sound of it, and their playing. But I was blown away by their energy on the album, and that overshadowed their actual performances."

"Master Of Puppets" was the last album to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a tour bus crash in September 1986 and was replaced by Jason Newsted. Rasmussen said about Burton,"It was such a pleasure working with him. I loved his improvising. His solo parts on the instrumental track, 'Orion', were fantastic!"

On how prepared METALLICA was before entering the studio:

"The band made a really good demo of the entire album before we started recording, so everything was planned. Actually, they always demoed everything before we entered the studio."

On whether there was any partying going on during the recording sessions:

"We actually didn't party in the studio. We were all pretty professional during the recording of those albums."

On his favorite songs on "Master Of Puppets":

"If I had to pick my favorite songs on the album, I would go with 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)', 'Battery' and the title track."

On whether there is anything he would change on "Master of Puppets":

"I listen to it on and off, and there's nothing I would change. It is a masterpiece for its time, and should be left as it is."

"Master Of Puppets" was METALLICA's first gold album, for sales of more than half a million copies. Many songs from the disc, including "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", "Battery", "Leper Messiah" and the title track are still part of the band's live set to this day.