"We were just snot-nosed punks trying to do something different." Metallica and the making of Master Of Puppets – only in the new issue of Classic Rock

The cover of Classic Rock 351, featuring Metallica — (Image credit: Future)

Confession time. I was very much a latecomer to the world of Metallica. I was aware of them, of course I was, but back in 1986 my listening habits weren’t of quite such a metallic persuasion. For me (along with many others, I’m sure), it was the Black album that made me really pay attention to the quartet from San Fransisco.

As is often the way when you first get into a band, you venture backwards into their catalogue to discover what other delights you’ve missed out on. And that is how I discovered the masterpiece that is Master Of Puppets, half a decade after its original release.

This month marks the album’s 40th anniversary, so we take a trip back to the 80s to visit its making and look at the impact it had, both on the band and the music world.

We also catch up with The Black Crowes; manage to have a rare sit-down with Brian ‘Robbo’ Robertson for the Classic Rock Interview; run an exclusive extract from our former Ed-In-Chief Scott’s new Big Country book; talk to Blondie about their modern classic Maria; and so much more.

This month, we also have a limited edition Classic Rock x The Black Crowes bundle, which includes a copy of the band’s upcoming album, A Pound Of Feathers, a signed art card and a copy of the new issue of Classic Rock with the band on the cover.

Features

Metallica
The inside story of the making of the Master Of Puppets album and the two-year whirlwind that took four self-described “alcoholica” outcasts from the El Cerrito garage to the big time.

Big Country
In an exclusive extract from a new book, we look at the inside story of their debut album The Crossing.

The Classic Rock Interview: Brian Robertson
He was part of the classic line-up of Thin Lizzy, lived it loud in Motörhead, rode his own band Wild Horses, has impressive credits as a session musician and producer… and there's more.

The Black Crowes
After decades of feuding and fall-outs, Chris and Rich Robinson have found a groove of brotherly love and rock bravado.

Pulcifier
Driving forces Maynard James Keenan and Carina Round talk about music, rearing chickens and ducks, making gin and more.

Danny Bryant
The British bluesman and bandleader tells us that his new album Nothing Left Behind is just the exorcism he needed.

Also available: The Classic Rock X The Black Crowes Bundle

The Classic Rock X The Black Crowes bundle edition — This Classic Rock x The Black Crowes bundle features a copy of the band’s forthcoming album, *A Pound Of Feathers*, a signed art card and a copy of the new issue of Classic Rock with the band on the cover. *A Pound Of Feathers* is set for release via Silver Arrow Records on March 13, 2026, which is when the bundle will ship. Get yours now. (Image credit: Future)

Regulars

Ever Meet Lemmy?: Suzi Quatro
She shot Alice Cooper, shared a stage with a pre-fame Iggy Pop, sang with Donovan and wrote songs with KT Tunstall, toured and became friends with Noddy Holder and Phil Lynott… She is glam icon Suzi Quatro, and these are just a few of her stories.

The Hot List
We look at some of the essential new tracks you need to hear and the artists to have on your radar. This month they include The Karma Effect, Avalanche, Radio Everything, The Gems, The Cold Stares, Spell and more.

Reviews
New albums from The Black Crowes, Megadeth, Mother Vulture, Rob Zombie, Black Stone Cherry, Starbenders, Paul Gilbert, The Sheepdogs and more. Reissues from Rainbow, Jimi Hendrix, Mountain, Creed, Hawkwind, Rose Tattoo, Prince, Sham 69, Warren Haynes and more. DVDs, films and books on Keith Moon, Ramones, Leonard Cohen, Karl Bartos, Stereolab and more. Live reviews of Biffy Clyro, Justin Hawkins, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett and more.

Buyer’s Guide: Buckcherry
California’s sleaziest exports were always gloriously out of step with the times. Here are the cherries on their catalogue cake.

Lives
We preview tours by 10cc, Powerwolf and Dan Byrne. Plus gig listings – who’s playing where and when.

The Soundtrack Of My Life: Big Big Train
Big Big Train co-founder Gregory Spawton picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance.

* Copies of the new issue of Classic Rock can be purchased online from Magazines Direct

* Classic Rock is on sale in the UK in shops such as supermarkets and newsagents.

* In North America, Classic Rock is available in branches of Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, although new issues do not go on sale until a couple of weeks after they're published in the UK.

* An easy option is to go digital. You can subscribe digitally from just £20.99 for six months. Individual issues and subscriptions are also from the Apple Store, Zinio, Readly, Press Reader and Pocketmags.

* Save money by buying a physical subscription. UK and overseas subscriptions are available.

Classic Rock editor Siân has worked on the magazine for longer than she cares to discuss, and prior to that was deputy editor of Total Guitar. During that time, she’s had the chance to interview artists such as Brian May, Slash, Jeff Beck, James Hetfield, Sammy Hagar, Alice Cooper, Manic Street Preachers and countless more. She has hosted The Classic Rock Magazine Show on both TotalRock and TeamRock radio, contributed to CR’s The 20 Million Club podcast and has also had bylines in Metal Hammer, Guitarist, Total Film, Cult TV and more. When not listening to, playing, thinking or writing about music, she can be found getting increasingly more depressed about the state of the Welsh national rugby team and her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

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