Legendary 1986 Hit Named Among the Greatest Guitar Moments - And It's a Metal Anthem

When it comes to fantastic guitar moments, heavy metal music certainly come to mind. It doesn't get much better than the heavy metal in songs from bands such as Metallica, Iron Maiden and Megadeth.

Great guitar moments are found throughout pretty much every metal band, because the guitar takes the spotlight in true heavy metal music. So, it should come as no surprise that a legendary 1986 hit in heavy metal has been named among the greatest guitar moments of all time. This song is one of the kingpins of this band and it totally deserves the honor.

Oh, and it's worth saying that this song is very fun to sing, and hearing it may also make you want to throw a fist, or two, in the air.

Famed 1986 Song Offers More Than 8 Minutes to Metal Bliss

The track is the 1986 hit "Master of Puppets" by Metallica. This song has it all, friends, from a raging lead guitar line to non-stop riffing to a soaring solo.

In a guitar feature for Forbes, Quentin Thane Singer lays out the greatest moments in guitar says that these tracks have the most "innovative and ingenious guitar riffs, solos and memorable songs that are among the all-time greats."

In the story, Singer says that "Master of Puppets" is the No. 10 greatest guitar moment ever.

"Within the first 60 seconds, Metallica showcases some of the tightest full-throttle down-picked metal guitar playing ever recorded," Singer states in the piece. "Beyond the heavy riffs throughout this eight-and-a-half minute epic, guitarists James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett put on a clinic for impeccable and memorable metal guitar solos."

It's certainly the case that this eight-and-a-half minute track is pure metal bliss and euphoria from start to finish. That's why it absolutely deserves the title of one of the greatest guitar moments of all time.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 6:23 PM.