BMRA-Round 1-Master of Puppets vs. Sevendust

[PlayingWithFire]

Metallica's Master of Puppets

Review by Steve Huey

Even though Master of Puppets didn't take as gigantic a leap forward as All That You can't left behind, it was the band's greatest achievement, hailed as a masterpiece by critics far outside heavy metal's core audience. It was also a substantial hit, reaching the Top 30 and selling three million copies despite absolutely nonexistent airplay. Instead of a radical reinvention, Master of Puppets is a refinement of past innovations. In fact, it's possible to compare Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets song for song and note striking similarities between corresponding track positions on each record (although Lightning's closing instrumental has been bumped up to next-to-last in Master's running order). That hint of conservatism is really the only conceivable flaw here. Though it isn't as startling as Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets feels more unified, both thematically and musically. Everything about it feels blown up to epic proportions (indeed, the songs are much longer on average), and the band feels more in control of its direction. You'd never know it by the lyrics, though -- in one way or another, nearly every song on Master of Puppets deals with the fear of powerlessness. Sometimes they're about hypocritical authority (military and religious leaders), sometimes primal, uncontrollable human urges (drugs, insanity, rage), and, in true H.P. Lovecraft fashion, sometimes monsters. 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.

Sevendust's self titled album

Review by Alex Henderson

Influenced by thrash metal, grunge, industrial, and rap, the Atlanta-based Sevendust had a brutally heavy alternative rock release in its riveting debut, self-titled album. But for all its intensity, Sevendust is a band that, like Living Colour and Nirvana, combines a striking melodic sense with sledgehammer aggression. Though Living Colour is a valid comparison (up to a point), one also hears traces of everyone from Metallica and Anthrax to Faith No More and Ministry here. Sevendust's very dark lyrics are as heavy as its music. "Face" candidly describes a consensual S&M/bondage scenario, while other songs deal with social issues. Addressing such topics as racism ("Black"), depression and schizophrenia ("Too Close to Hate"), and drug addiction ("Wired"), this CD is as arresting lyrically as it is musically.

[PlayingWithFire]

Let the landslide begin

[RugbyD]

Let the landslide begin

its a shame these 2 are pitted against each other.

[Big Pimpin]

Let the landslide begin

its a shame these 2 are pitted against each other.

Agreed.

[The Artful Dodger]

For the love of God, Sevendust? They're a solid rock band, but Megadeth's Rust In Peace or Countdown to Extinction, Anthrax's Among The Living, Slayer's Reign In Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons of the Abyss are better choices than Sevendust.

Needless to say, Master of Puppets is going to wipe the floor with Sevendust.

[BritSox]

For the love of God, Sevendust? They're a solid rock band, but Megadeth's Rust In Peace or Countdown to Extinction, Anthrax's Among The Living, Slayer's Reign In Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons of the Abyss are better choices than Sevendust.

Needless to say, Master of Puppets is going to wipe the floor with Sevendust.

Reign In Blood is in.

But anyway, I'm not that bothered which album MOP uses to wipe the floor in the first round.

[PlayingWithFire]

Let the landslide begin

its a shame these 2 are pitted against each other.

Agreed.

I actually like Sevendust quite a bit, but I can't see myself ranking them higher than a 7 in this competition. Though MOP is a tough opponent. And I no longer have a vote to sympathize Sevendust

[Omaha Red Sox]

I haven't heard much of Sevendust, but what I have heard makes me a little surprised they are in this competition. Every song of theirs I heard sounded the same.

My vote made it 17-0.

[ThatDude]

I'm surprised this isn't even more lopsided. 17-1 is too close of a margin.

[ironman]

I'll give Sevendust a vote. I actually saw them live once. I couldn't hear for three days following.