Metallica’s ‘Master of Puppets’ Selected for Preservation by U.S. Library of Congress

Metallica’s iconic Master of Puppets album has been selected for induction into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

Every year, the Registry selects 25 recordings that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” that are at least 10 years old for preservation. The librarian, with advice from the National Recording Preservation Board, has been choosing select recordings since 2000, securing 450 pieces of music to the Registry.

Master of Puppets is the sole metal release chosen for preservation in 2016. The album will join fellow significant pieces like Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” single, Carlos Santana’s Abraxas, George Carlin’s Class Clown comedy album and others selected for 2016.

According to the NRPF’s website, “The National Recording Preservation Foundation is an independent, non-profit charitable corporation established by the U.S. Congress for the purpose of supporting archives, libraries, cultural institutions and others committed to preserving America’s radio, music and recorded sound heritage. Where appropriate, it will also assist privately-held collections and commercial archives that may have been damaged through the ravages of time or random acts of nature when those holding them cannot do so with their own resources. Importantly, the Foundation will help to further database and digitize our vast and often hidden treasures — delivering them to the nation at large.”

The entire NRPF library currently consists of more than three million recordings.

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