Stranger Things: Metallica’s Lars Ulrich on the decision to let the show use “Master of Puppets”

The most popular moment in season 4 of the Netflix series Stranger Things came when the character Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) played guitar along to the Metallica song “Master of Puppets” while facing off with the forces of evil in the Upside Down. And during a recent interview with Howard Stern, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich explained the decision to let the show use the song, and discussed what it was like to see the renewed interest in “Master of Puppets” thirty-six years after the song was first released.

Speaking with Stern, Ulrich said (with thanks to The Hollywood Reporter for the transcription), “It used to be, with Metallica, we were always the ‘no’ guys. … A few years ago, we reversed it, we did a 180. We just said, ‘You know what? This is stupid. Why are we hanging onto these [songs] like they’re so important, like they’re the crown jewels? Let’s share our music with the world.’ We started saying yes to everything.“

But when they allowed Stranger Things to use “Master of Puppets”, “It was such a mindf*ck to see how that became a phenomenon. We were so proud. Who would’ve thought, 40 years later, that these songs could still have that impact? We were psyched to be part of it.“

Ulrich also confirmed that Quinn visited the band after the season aired and played “Master of Puppets” with them. “He came, we played together. He knew the song, he knew the changes. He was such a sweetheart, and was just so up for it.“

Stranger Things season 4 has the following synopsis:

It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.

Episodes of Stranger Things season 4 were written by the Duffer Brothers (401, 402, 407, 408, 409), Caitlin Schneiderhan (403), Paul Dichter (404), Kate Trefry (405), and Curtis Gwinn (406). They were directed by the Duffer Brothers (401, 402, 407, 408, 409), Shawn Levy (403, 404), and Nimród Antal (405, 406).

Here’s the list of this season’s cast members and the characters they play:

Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Matthew Modine (Dr. Brenner), Paul Reiser (Dr. Owens), Jamie Campbell Bower (Peter Ballard), Joseph Quinn (Eddie Munson), Eduardo Franco (Argyle), Sherman Augustus (Lt. Colonel Sullivan), Mason Dye (Jason Carver), Nikola Djuricko (Yuri), Tom Wlaschiha (Dmitri), Myles Truitt (Patrick), Regina Ting Chen (Ms. Kelly), Grace Van Dien (Chrissy), Logan Riley Bruner (Fred Benson), Logan Allen (Jake), Elodie Grace Orkin (Angela), John Reynolds (Officer Callahan), Rob Morgan (Chief Powell), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), and Freddy Krueger himself Robert Englund (Victor Creel).

Stranger Things is produced by Monkey Massacre Productions and 21 Laps Entertainment. The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps Entertainment, Iain Paterson, and Curtis Gwinn.

Metallica previously released a statement to say, “It’s an incredible honor to be such a big part of Eddie’s journey and to once again be keeping company with all of the other amazing artists featured in the show.” Frontman James Hetfield also paid tribute to Eddie by dressing up as the character for Halloween.

Are you glad Metallica let Stranger Things use “Master of Puppets”? Share your thoughts on the scene by leaving a comment below.