Wikipedia:Today's featured article/March 3, 2016

Master of Puppets is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on March 3, 1986, by Elektra Records. It was the first Metallica album released on a major label, and the last to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a bus crash in Sweden during the album's promotional tour. It was recorded at the Sweet Silence Studios with producer Flemming Rasmussen. Master of Puppets received critical acclaim for its atmospheric and meticulous approach to American thrash metal, and has been included in several publications' best album lists. Its driving music and angry, political lyrics drew praise from critics outside the metal community. The album is considered the band's strongest effort of the period, and remains one of the most influential heavy metal albums. It peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum. In 2003 the Recording Industry Association of America certified at least six million copies shipped, and in 2012 Music Canada certified 600,000 copies.