Metallica Metallica/Metal Masters Master of Puppets Original DDC Compact Classics CD Edition

“DCC Compact Classics” is a high-quality CD label that boasts charismatic popularity alongside “Mobile Fidelity”. The release of “MASTER OF PUPPETS”, a monumental thrash metal work reprinted from the CD “GZS-1133”, has been decided. [High-quality CD series “DCC” by charismatic engineers] Various high-quality CDs appeared in various ways from the 1990s to the 2000s. However, even if you say “high-quality CD”, there are many different methods. As each company began to release them in a competitive manner, there were differences in their quality and popularity. The various miscellaneous methods can be broadly divided into three. One is what we might call “material-based”. Normally, CDs are structured so that an aluminum vapor deposition film that records a signal is sandwiched between polycarbonate, but this material is replaced with a highly reflective metal film or a highly transparent resin to reduce reading errors. These include “SHM-CD” and “Blu-spec CD” (however, the recorded data itself is the same as normal, and it is said that there is a risk of errors increasing depending on the reading tuning on the player side). The second type is so-called “digital technology type”. The CD standard is 16 bits, but high-quality digital remastering digitizes the analog master at 20 bits or more and converts it to 16 bits. This type uses new technology to suppress digital degradation during the conversion. “SBM CD” and “HDCD” are representative. And the third type is the “engineer type”. The original master tape of the album is borrowed from the record company and digitized, and the tape playback environment and process are thoroughly particular. Of course, each manufacturer has its own know-how, and meticulous attention is paid to the finishing, focusing on reproducing “the sound of the master tape itself”. Representative examples of this are “Mobile Fidelity” and “DCC Compact Classics”. And the important thing about this type is “who remastered it”. Since the sound quality is not improved by digital technology or materials, each step depends on the skill and sense of the craftsman, and it will not be the same no matter who does it. Among them, popular engineers have appeared, and many engineers, such as master Bob Ludwig and Bill Inglot of the Rhino label, have become charismatic. The masterpieces they have worked on are especially popular among the many high-quality CDs, and some are even sold for tens of thousands of yen even second-hand. And one of them is Steve Hoffman. The analog sound that uses vacuum tubes for mastering equipment is even called magic, and he is the charisma that spread the brand of “DCC Compact Classics” to the world. [Master of Puppets is thick and dynamic because of its fineness] And this work is METALLICA’s “Master of Puppets” revived with such a Hoffman sound. We have already introduced the DCC version of “RIDE THE LIGHTNING”, but Steve Hoffman only worked on two works, “RIDE THE LIGHTNING” and “MASTER OF PUPPETS”. Of course, this work is completely different from the 2017 box remaster. It was released in 1999, and like “RIDE THE LIGHTNING”, it was a treasure that had been traded at high prices for many years. And the sound of this work is thick but super delicate. Nowadays, the official who finally (really finally) realized the stupidity of the loudness war has released a decent remaster, but this work goes one step further. The key is the details. This limit is not half-hearted. The most obvious one is the intro of “Master Of Puppets”. The “Ja! Ja! Ja!” is thick. The current remaster feels thick compared to the early CDs, but it is even thicker than that. What I want to point out here is that it is not a sound pressure increase or an echo. Simply put, the “thickness” is the result of each and every note being reproduced and audible. Therefore, no matter how thick it is, it never becomes muffled or muddy. On the contrary, as the song progresses and the guitar is overdubbed, it becomes so three-dimensional that you can almost count each and every guitar. Or, to go even further, you can feel each and every string being crunched. This is the real pleasure of “good sounding thrash”. Heavy metal, especially thrash metal, has long been considered to be “sound pressure is life”. In the name of remastering, the waveform is boosted to the maximum, and it doesn’t matter if the drum beat peaks are crushed or the guitar transforms into a different instrument. Even today, there are still strong voices that say, “Old CDs have a small sound…” and have nothing to do with sound quality. However, that is not the case. In thrash metal that is recorded and played with truly good sound, each riff is sharp and thick, and it is powerful even without increasing sound pressure. And because it’s not always at its maximum, it’s well-drawn with dynamism. This is “Master of Puppets with truly good sound.” Thrashers have spoken about the true good and bad of thrash metal, spitting at those who scorn it and say, “This isn’t music.” Yes, thrash metal may be “noisy,” but it’s not “noise.” It’s “music.” That’s why, if you can clearly appreciate the subtleties of the performance, the depth will increase. This work teaches us this obvious fact through the great masterpiece “Master of Puppets.” Even though it’s a digital medium, CD, music is still a gift of human hands and sensibility. This is especially true for works that were handmade in the analog era. New digital technology and materials are wonderful, but in the end, it’s the freshness of the master tape itself and the engineer’s “sense” that make it the pinnacle. This work is a rare masterpiece that was digitized in the heyday of such a charismatic Steve Hoffman. As with “Mobile Fidelity,” even if you want to get your hands on this now, it’s difficult because it was originally produced in limited quantities. The best sounding version of the 3rd album has been released, completely different from the current remaster. This masterpiece has been digitized by charismatic engineer Steve Hoffman, and you can fully enjoy the true master sound. Taken from the original DCC Compact Classics CD (GZS-1133) Remastered by Steve Hoffman 1. Battery 2. Master of Puppets 3. The Thing That Should Not Be 4. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) 5. Disposable Heroes 6. Leper Messiah 7. Orion 8. Damage, Inc.