Believe it or not, it was thirty years ago, in spring 1986, that METALLICA released what some people consider to be one of their greatest albums: "Master Of Puppets". In fact, earlier this year, the album was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" enough for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the United States Library of Congress, making it the only metal album to have received this honor. "Master Of Puppets" was METALLICA's third album, and their first on a major label, and it included the well-known title track as well as favorites like "Battery", "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", "Damage, Inc.", and more.

As ESP has done with METALLICA's first two albums, the guitar manufacturer is proud to introduce a limited-edition LTD "Master Of Puppets" Graphic Series guitar. Only 400 of these guitars will be made available worldwide, and you can bet that there is a long line of hardcore METALLICA fans awaiting this particular commemorative guitar. Its graphic finish mimics the album's iconic cover art.

ESP anticipates that the LTD "Master Of Puppets" guitar is going to be a highly sought-after collectible by players and fans alike.

The LTD "Master Of Puppets" guitar features an alder body with bolt-on maple neck at 25.5" scale, and an ebony fingerboard with 24 XJ frets. An EMG 81 (neck and bridge) active pickup set is included, along with TOM bridge and string-thru-body design. The guitar also features a METALLICA logo fingerboard inlay, and each guitar includes an ESP form-fit case with the METALLICA logo, and a certificate of authenticity from ESP.

ESP is debuting this new limited-edition guitar at the Summer NAMM Show, but don't wait: contact your ESP dealer today if you're interested in owning one. Once they're gone, they're gone forever.

METALLICA recently collaborated with an author named Matt Taylor on a book about the making of "Master Of Puppets".

Taylor, who wrote an acclaimed and extensively detailed book on the making of the movie "Jaws", contacted the band with a proposal to create a definitive history of the band's third album.

"Metallica: Back To The Front" is due in the fall.

"Master Of Puppets" was released on February 24, 1986 and was the first album METALLICA recorded after signing a major label deal with Elektra Records.

The set only reached No. 29 on the Billboard album chart but has sold over six million copies in the U.S. since.

It is the last record to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed later that year in a tour bus crash.

Several songs from the album are still staples of METALLICA's live set, including "Battery", "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" and the title track.

Many fans consider it METALLICA's finest album, a fact that the band acknowledged by playing it in its entirety on a European tour in 2006.

"Master Of Puppets" continues to sell almost four thousands copies a week in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.