One of the defining albums of thrash metal, 'Master of Puppets' is arguably Metallica's best album (as well as their last with bassist Cliff Burton). Focusing on the concept of power and abuses thereof, this is a collection of complex, intelligent music, played at about a hundred miles an hour. Not that these are short songs; this eight-song album clocks in at over an hour. In tackling various approaches to their subject, Metallica is insightful lyrically as well as musically: 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' is from the point of view of an institutionalised inmate and 'disposable heroes' is the perspective of a soldier.