The German music magazine Metal Hammer celebrates its 50th anniversary with its 500th issue, available on newsstands from Friday, June 21, 2024. This special edition features a ranking of the 500 greatest metal albums of all time, as voted on by a nearly 100-member jury composed of editors, musicians, industry professionals, and notable metal fans. Topping the list is METALLICA’s “Master Of Puppets.” The magazine’s review praises the album, stating: “Complex structures, musical depth, yet massive sing-along potential — and guitar solos for the ages. The compositional lessons instilled in [James] Hetfield and [Lars] Ulrich by Cliff Burton since the band’s inception reach their full bloom here. For Metal Hammer, this is now officially the best opus in metal history!”
METALLICA appears five times on Metal Hammer’s list of the 500 best metal albums. Other heavy metal pioneers like MOTÖRHEAD, AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, MANOWAR, and SLAYER are also featured, alongside modern acts such as SLIPKNOT, TOOL, NIGHTWISH, GHOST, IN FLAMES, and SLEEP TOKEN.
