If you’re a fan of Metallica’s 1986 album,Master of Puppets,then you will love these modern metal releases that share various traits with the revered record. Although these are from more recent times, they still have key elements, as seen in thevast discography of 1980s metal. This includes the core values showingwhat it means to be rock stars.
Even though some are still searching for theiconic moments that Metallica has overall, they can still make music similar to the legends. The great part is that no one is trying to replicate the Hall of Famers; instead,they add their own twist to things. This helps keep the music fresh and ultimately, the genre growing as a whole.
What you’ll notice from these records that align withMaster of Puppetsis, of course, intricate instrumentals that create a captivating atmosphere. Additionally, there is tremendous storytelling throughout, which is a crucial part of Metallica’s process. Furthermore, there areother small details that evoke the same feelings as the 8x platinum masterpiece.
10Evile - The Unknown
This Record Has A Tremendous Flow
Over the years, Evile has evolved their sound from being completely thrash into something that incorporates many aspects of metal. Their sixth studio album,The Unknown,showcases a true culmination of this. The 10-track record is filled with sounds that fill an entire room, as opposed to some of their earlier work that was confined.
This release shows that even bigger things can be expected.
Although some had trepidation about this evolving sound, the band pulled it off. Lead singerOL Drake delivers tremendous performancesthat have been appreciated throughout the metal community. It remains to be seen what they will do next, but this release shows that even bigger things can be expected.
9Havok - Unnatural Selection
If You Want Drums, This Is It
In the thrash scene,Havok is one of the bands helping to keep this particular subgenre thriving. Throughout their existence, lead singer Dave Sanchez has made it a point for the band to continue using elements developed decades earlier. Of course, the band does have their own unique style, especially with songwriting, but the core of thrash is felt here.
One of the biggest highlights from their 2013 record,Unnatural Selection, is the drumming. Much like what Lars Ulrich did onMaster of Puppets, adding the perfect beat to each song, that’s exactly what happens here. As you listen to the 10 tracks on this record, you see howeverything is perfectly balanced, never crossing the line of too much.
8Warbringer - Weapons Of Tomorrow
The Guitar Solos Absolutely Rock
Another band that has been part of the thrash revival scene is Warbringer. Of the seven albums in their discography, Weapons of Tomorrow is a true standout. Throughout the record,you’re able to see how much attention the band put into these songs. There are small intricacies you can pick up along the way, but there are also bold elements too.
In particular,the guitar solos really make this record strong. Throughout metal, and especially in the thrash genre, performances like this are highly appreciated. Once you start to feel Warbringer, you will want more from them, and thankfully, the band is continuing to make hits, helping keep the genre thrive many decades after the ’80s.
7Drain - Living Proof
Welcome To Crossover Thrash
So far in their career, Drain has been making a huge name for themselves, including being touted as a driving force of the hardcore renaissance by theNew York Times. They are known forincorporating the subgenre crossover thrash into their music. Thisinvolves blending thrash and hardcore punk, giving multiple layers to their sound.
After a couple of EPs and their debut studio album in 2020, the band was back in 2023 withLiving Proof. This record moves quickly, buteach song is given enough time for listeners to digest. They even have a cover here of the Descendents' song “Good Good Things,” where they prove their worth by honoring the legendary punk band.
6Powerwolf - Wake Up The Wicked
The Range Of This Album Is The Perfect Journey
The 10th studio album from Powerwolf,Wake Up the Wicked, debuted in July 2024, and it is just as epic as a historic release of this magnitude should be. Not all bands can create this many records, which demonstrates Powerwolf’s staying power. This release was a true journey,showcasing the band’s range across all facets of their creative process.
This is an unforgettable ride, full of anthems.
This album contains 11 tracks, with only one song under three minutes long. They not only take a deep dive into their instrumentals but also into their storytelling. As a power metal band,they surely display the beauty of the genre and everything that is possible under its umbrella. This is an unforgettable ride, full of anthems.
These Stories Need To Be Heard
As Machine Head began in the ’90s, it wasn’t easy, as they had to live up to the expectations set by the thrash metal bands of the ’80s. They worked hard, putting out a slew of albums, with a standout being their seventh in 2011.Unto the Locustwas an incredible display of the mastery the band possessed.
Each track is lengthy,allowing the songs to tell epic sagas. One of the greatest stories is the final track, “Who We Are.” This song has everything you could want. It showcases the band’s ability to truly control their art. 2025 marked their 11th album, but this 2011 release will always hold a special place in their discography.
4Vektor - Terminal Redux
These Instrumentals Need To Be Heard
The last album to date that Vektor has released is Terminal Redux. The band is known for focusing primarily on two subgenres: technical thrash metal and death metal. This record certainly showcases all of that. Many of the songs are lengthy, butthis allows for some of the most epic instrumentals.
To further enhance the overall atmosphere, they actually brought in additional personnel who helped add to the sound. It is a truly immersive experience that beautifully brings together the two subgenres. Regardless of what the band does next,this record will continue to be appreciated for all the effort they put into it.
3Trivium - Silence In The Snow
The Genres Blend Flawlessly
There have been many times in their career that Trivium has been compared to Metallica. Certainly, there have been similarities, and the band even did a tremendous cover of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.” While Trivium’s 2005 record has been pointed to as their “Metallica album,“there is a lot to be said about their 2015 release as well.
This record showcases the band using a lot of clean vocals, combining them with their excellent instrumentals to create an immersive experience. It feels as if this was done on a much larger scale,helping the band showcase a sound that could fill a stadium. This even landed them on threeBillboardcharts, including the coveted 200.
2Power Trip - Nightmare Logic
They Bring Eight Songs Of Pure Madness
Sadly,Nightmare Logicwas the last studio album by Power Trip before the death of their lead singer, Riley Gale, in August 2020. However,the record is a masterpiece and has been revered as such. Over the eight tracks, the band gave everything they had, making the metal community proud with this performance.
This epic piece of work serves as a memory of Gale and a reminder of just how great Power Trip is.
Thrash metal is not an easy genre to pull off, as it is quick, and there is no room for error. Power Trip was able to showcase their abilities with this release andeven saw one of their songs nominated for a Grammy Award. Now, this epic piece of work serves as a memory of Gale and a reminder of just how great Power Trip is.
1Tremonti - Cauterize
This Is Another Masterpiece For Mark Tremonti
Mark Tremonti is known for playing in Creed, Alter Bridge, and the band that bears his name, Tremonti. Their second album,Cauterize, was released in 2015, featuring elements of hard rock, alternative metal, and thrash metal. Additionally,this was the first record to feature Wolfgang Van Halen, adding another piece to this album’s history.
Throughout the 10 songs that last just over 47 minutes, there are tremendous stories told, along with unforgettable instrumentals. This was raw and intense,offering something for the many different tastes of metal fans. Just likeMaster of Puppets, this album, released nearly 30 years later, takes listeners on a similar epic journey.
