Master of Puppets is the third album by American heavy metal band Metallica. The album was released on March 3, 1986 through Elektra Records. Master of Puppets marks the last recording by bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a bus accident while on tour to promote the album. After debating whether to break up, or to move on with a new bass player, Metallica decided to hire a new bassist, Jason Newsted, who would stay with the band until 2001.