Steel Hammer Crowns METALLICA’s “Grasp of Puppets” the Biggest Steel Album Ever!
Metalheads have fun! The mythical German mag Steel Hammer is celebrating its golden jubilee with a bang – their five hundredth factor! This momentous instance comes full of an enormous deal with for enthusiasts: a definitive rating of the five hundred biggest steel albums of all time. Compiled in the course of the votes of just about 100 song business heavyweights, together with editors, musicians, business execs, and diehard steel enthusiasts, this record guarantees to be without equal metalhead’s information.
And the undisputed champion, taking the coveted primary spot, is none as opposed to METALLICA’s iconic “Grasp of Puppets.” Steel Hammer hails the album for its “complicated buildings, musical intensity, but large sing-along attainable – and guitar solos for the ages.” They additional reward it because the end result of the compositional classes instilled in James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich via the overdue bassist Cliff Burton, stating it “formally the most efficient opus in steel historical past!”
This can be a hard-earned crown for “Grasp of Puppets.” Launched in 1986, the album turned into a landmark success, no longer only for METALLICA however for all the thrash steel scene. It showcased the band’s evolution from their uncooked early sound right into a extra technical and dynamic power. Tracks just like the identify monitor, “Battery,” and “Orion” turned into fast classics, respected for his or her intricate riffs, tough drumming, and Hetfield‘s signature competitive vocals.

However “Grasp of Puppets” wasn’t almost about shredding guitars and headbanging tempos. Songs like “Welcome House (Sanitarium)” explored darker topics of dependancy and psychological sickness, showcasing a shocking intensity hardly noticed within the style on the time.
Tragically, “Grasp of Puppets” additionally marked the tip of an technology for METALLICA. Bassist Cliff Burton, whose leading edge enjoying and songwriting have been a an important a part of the band’s sound, died in a excursion bus coincidence only some months after the album’s free up. His demise left an plain mark at the song international, and his affect can nonetheless be felt within the thrash steel scene nowadays.
Regardless of the tragedy, “Grasp of Puppets” has persevered to encourage generations of musicians and enthusiasts alike. It’s offered over six million copies in the United States on my own and earned a spot within the prestigious U.S. Library of Congress Nationwide Recording Registry for its cultural and historic importance.

Steel Hammer’s 500 Biggest Steel Albums – A Treasure Trove for Enthusiasts
Whilst “Grasp of Puppets” takes the highest spot, Steel Hammer‘s record guarantees a adventure in the course of the wealthy tapestry of steel song. Enthusiasts can anticipate finding mythical albums from style pioneers like AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, MANOWAR and SLAYER along fashionable trailblazers like SLIPKNOT, TOOL, NIGHTWISH, GHOST, IN FLAMES and SLEEP TOKEN.
“Compiling this record was once unquestionably a mammoth process – however one we gladly took on for the extra-thick five hundredth factor,” says Steel Hammer editor-in-chief Sebastian Kessler. “What an intense shuttle in the course of the historical past of steel; highest for celebrating Steel Hammer‘s fortieth anniversary! There’s hardly been such a lot dialogue, philosophy, weighing, and argumentation. And with the discharge of the consequences, it’s most probably just the start.”
Past the Checklist: A Collector’s Version Filled with Unique Content material
Steel Hammer‘s five hundredth factor isn’t almost about the ratings. The collector’s version boasts a surprising golden quilt and an extra 32 pages full of unique content material. Dive deep into fresh live performance opinions of METALLICA, AC/DC, and I PREVAIL. Get the interior scoop on upcoming releases with unique options on new albums from DEEP PURPLE, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE, ORDEN OGAN, and NEARA. Plus, discover the inclusive steel scene with a document at the Rock in Rautheim competition.
Celebrating 40 Years of Steel Mayhem: Steel Hammer Awards
This landmark factor coincides with Steel Hammer‘s fortieth anniversary, making it a real party of all issues steel. To most sensible all of it off, the mag will likely be website hosting the celebrated Steel Hammer Awards rite on August thirty first in Berlin. Mark your calendars and get able to have fun the most efficient of heavy steel together with your fellow headbangers!