Metallica Original LP - "Master Of Puppets" [Vinyl] Elektra Records 1986

$

55

Metallica Original LP - "Master Of Puppets" [Vinyl] Elektra Records 1986 Elektra 60439 Original 1986 Release. Cover is NM - Vinyl is NM.
My own personal copy, bought years ago, played once to tape it and stored meticulousy for decades.
Since their inception in 1981, Metallica have gone from an underground heavy-metal band to one of the most successful acts in the world, with an intensely loyal if not rabid fanbase. Their relevance is undeniable as evidenced by their ability to sell out stadiums and arenas worldwide while continuing to sell millions of albums with each release -- a feat no other band in history has sustained. 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, which makes it all the more impressive that not one moment on this recording is boring. 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 institutionalized inmate and "Disposable Heroes" is the perspective of a soldier. If all you've heard of Metallica is what's been on the radio recently, check this one out. You're in for a surprise. --Genevieve Williams
Hailed as a masterpiece by critics far outside heavy metal s core audience, Master Of Puppets sold over half a million copies at its time of release without any major video/radio airplay, making it the band s first record to be certified Gold by the RIAA. It has since sold over six million copies in the U.S. alone. It was the last album the band recorded with bass player Cliff Burton before his death later that year. The album has also frequently been tagged by critics as one of the most influential heavy metal albums of all time.  Yet by bookending the album with two slices of thrash mayhem ( Battery and Damage, Inc. ), the band reigns triumphant through sheer force of sound, of will, of malice. The arrangements are thick and muscular, and the material varies enough in texture and tempo to hold interest through all its twists and turns. Some critics have called Master Of Puppets the best heavy metal album ever recorded; if it isn t, it certainly comes close. (All Music Guide) 1. Battery (5:10) 2. Master Of Puppets (8:38) 3. The Thing That Should Not Be 6:32 4. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) (6:28) 5. Disposable Heroes (8:14) 6. Leper Messiah (5:38) 7. Orion (Instrumental) (8:12) 8. Damage, Inc. (5:08)

Grading Criteria

• Mint (M)   Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed.(More on still sealed under "Other Considerations"). Should be used sparingly as a grade, If at all.
• Near Mint (NM or M-)   A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly)that no record is ever truly perfect. 
  The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. 
  An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like. 
  Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap. 
  Near Mint is the highest price listed in all Goldmine price guides. Anything that exceeds this grade, in the opinion of both buyer and seller, is worth significantly more than the highest Goldmine book value.
Very Good Plus (VG+)   Generally worth 50 percent of the Near Mint value. 
• A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. 
  Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". 
  The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. 
  Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. 
  In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
• Very Good (VG)   Generally worth 25 percent of Near Mint value. Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. 
  Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them. 
  Goldmine price guides with more than one price will list Very Good as the lowest price. This, not the Near Mint price, should be your guide when determining how much a record is worth, as that is the price a dealer will normally pay you for a Near Mint record.
• Good (G), Good Plus (G+)   Generally worth 10-15 percent of the Near Mint value. Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). 
  A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. 
  It is a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But, if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it...but keep looking to upgrade.
• Poor (P), Fair (F)   Generally worth 0-5 percent of the Near Mint price. The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon. 
  Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.