From Duran Duran to Madonna, “Stranger Things” weaves some of the most important songs of the ’80s into its plot – giving some tracks a second lease of life.
A very specific Metallica title also plays a major role in the plot: In one scene, the series character Eddie Munson confronts the dark forces with “Master of Puppets” by performing the heavy metal classic on his electric guitar. Of course, that takes practice, as the song is considered one of the milestones of the not-so-easy-to-handle genre of thrash metal.
Practice creates masters
Apparently, that wasn’t an obstacle for actor Joseph Quinn: He said it was “a lot of fun” learning “Master of Puppets”. In one on the Twitter account @strangerwriters (run by the series writers) shared video, the actor can be seen disguised as he rehearses the song on a BC Rich Warlock guitar in a music room. The caption: “Practice makes perfect”.
In an interview with the film magazine Collider earlier this month, Quinn explained that he practiced the song “maniacally” as soon as he read the script: “That day, Gaten[Matarazzohisco-directored)andIjustgotontheroofoftheRVandgotgoing”hesaidHecontinued”IplayedmostofitWeevengotablackbeltmetalguitaristtoplaythesolobecauseI’manormalpersonItwasveryfunny”
practice makes perfect pic.twitter.com/yjv63A1pfp
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) July 10, 2022
Metallica are blissful
The song first appeared on the Metallica album of the same name in 1986. It is currently in eleventh place in the American Spotify charts – a remarkable position for an eight-and-a-half-minute track that sounds completely different from the otherwise standardized streaming hit parades.
A few days ago, Metallica expressed their excitement about the soundtrack on Instagram: “The way the Duffer brothers integrated music into ‘Stranger Things’ has always been on a high level,” according to the band. One is overjoyed that “Master of Puppets” has not only been included in the show, but is also the focus of a central scene – and how “blown away” by the result.