Xuenou > Music > Here’s The Whole Story Behind That Epic Metallica Moment From “Stranger Things” Season 4
Here’s The Whole Story Behind That Epic Metallica Moment From “Stranger Things” Season 4
Kate Bush can finally take a break from running, it's Metallica's turn.

Here’s The Whole Story Behind That Epic Metallica Moment From “Stranger Things” Season 4

??? Before we get started, SPOILERS. THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4 IN HERE. SPOILERS!!!???

The fourth season of Stranger Things has officially ended, and y’all, ’twas a ride. An awesome, intense, ridiculous ride.



Netflix

What kind of distraction, you ask? Oh, nothing too dramatic…just positively SHREDDING the riff to Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” while being swarmed by a hoard of demobats. Seriously, just watch the scene. No quippy description written by me will do it justice:


Netflix

“It was another one of those ‘it has to be this song,’ moments. This part of the story was anticipated to be a pivotal and especially hair-raising scene in which Eddie heroically stood tall for the fight of his life,” she said. “I believe the Duffer Brothers felt that playing ‘Master of Puppets’ throughout the extended scene was the clear choice.”

Netflix

“No other song was discussed further, and we jumped in to clear it straight away. The track was a perfect match for Eddie since it not only amplified the episode’s most thrilling scene, but, in some ways, aligns with Eddie’s seemingly arrogant and edgy in-your-face public persona,” she said. “The Talisman-like qualities of Eddie’s guitar and punk metal music help him reconnect to his closely-guarded traits of love, care, and courage.”

Netflix

As far as how they got the okay to use the song, well, it’s quite simple: Similar to Kate Bush, Metallica are long-time fans of the show!

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

“I got in touch with Metallica’s management office and carefully went over the scene and what the intent would be. I knew the clearance would be taken seriously as we had used one of their songs (‘The Four Horseman’) in Season 2 and had learned at that time that they were fans of the show,” she said. “‘Master of Puppets’ is a pretty significant song in their catalog, and I think it’s considered a favorite in their live shows. I wanted to be respectful in making sure that Metallica fully understood what context the song was being used in, plus how integral it was to the scene and for this exciting new character, Eddie Munson, who no one had met yet in previous seasons.”

Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

Needless to say, Metallica signed off on use of the song on pitch alone, and the rest is rock ‘n’ roll history!

Netflix

To be fair, I’m no rock star, but if you pitched me “A new, guaranteed fan-favorite character is going to play the riff from your song in a literal underworld while scary bats fly at them and lightning flashes all around.” I’d be like, “Say less. Where do I sign?”

Also, just in case you were skeptical, Felder confirmed that actor Joseph Quinn did, in fact, learn the entire riff and was actually playing along while they filmed!

Cindy Ord / Getty Images

“Yes, Joseph did take time to learn the guitar riff and was actually playing along to a guide track. Everyone thought he did a great job.”

Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Anyway, you better believe fans of the show in general and Eddie in particular had a lot to say (read: tweet) about the scene:

Netflix UK & Ireland @NetflixUK ??????????????????????????????????┏┓On this house we play ??┃┃ Master of Puppets ? ??╱▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔╲ ? ?╱╱┏┳┓╭╮┏┳┓ ╲╲??▔▏┗┻┛┃┃┗┻┛▕▔ ?

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @NetflixUK

mary @jerushalorenzo he played the “master of puppets” by metallica — the most metal concert in the history of the world. eddie munson, an icon and hero. #StrangerThings4 #StrangerThings4Vol2

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @jerushalorenzo

josephine @yummymunson me when eddie starts shredding the master of puppets solo

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @yummymunson

multifannish @loyal2them Me listening to Master of Puppets by Metallica after watching Stranger Things season 4 vol.2

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @loyal2them

Preston C. Moore @prestoncmoore I firmly believe that #StrangerThings had the three best needle drops of the year all in one season. Running Up That Hill, Separate Ways, and Master of Puppets. All three jaw-dropping moments. ?

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @prestoncmoore

sarah? @beskarrd master of puppets came out on march 3 1986. st4 occurred after march 22, 1986. meaning eddie learned all of master of puppets in TWO WEEKS and absolutely SHREDDED IT.

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @beskarrd

eddie munson supremacy | stranger things spoilers @hellfireIover i will NEVER stop talking about eddie munson’s guitar GOD moment #StrangerThings4

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @hellfireIover

ᴴ @hiddlouistan “He could have run. He could’ve saved himself but he fought! He fought and died to protect this town that hated him. He isn’t just innocent…He’s a hero.” EDDIE MUNSON YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. #StrangerThings

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @hiddlouistan

G. @ClassyGco When eddie said " Chrissy, this is for you " and started playing Master of Puppets by Metallica jason could never that piece of shit #StrangerThings4

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @ClassyGco

fedz.? @hazedes just found out that eddie's guitar scene wasn't done by a body double,, it was actually joe quinn himself playing… the duffer didn't even know he could play guitar…yet he nailed the master of puppets insane solo like that because he's VERY good at it…..wig

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @hazedes

eddie’s gf | SPOILERS @eddiesozone the fact that joseph quinn actually played master of puppets himself during this scene makes it so much more iconic. what can’t this man do??

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @eddiesozone

cherry is meeting joe ! @eddjemunsons me watching eddie do that master of puppets guitar solo

Reply Retweet Favorite

Noah Schnapp / Via Twitter: @eddjemunsons

draco? stv2 spoilers @KlLLERKLOWNS and if eddie played the full 8:34 mins of master of puppets and there was just complete chaos in the background? i would love to see it

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @KlLLERKLOWNS

Papa MT Plug @mtplug_grinder @Stranger_Things Me listening to master of puppets all day:

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @mtplug_grinder

So, uh, yeah. In short:

Netflix @netflix Eddie Munson playing Metallica's Master of Puppets in the Upside Down to lure the demobats is easily one of the Top 5 coolest things I've ever seen on Stranger Things.

Reply Retweet Favorite

Netflix / Via Twitter: @netflix

What was your favorite use of music in a scene from Stranger Things Season 4? Share your pick(s) in the comments below!