“Chrissy, this riff slaps…”
From the moment Eddie Munson plugged in and unleashed the fury of “Master of Puppets” in Season 4, Metallica became permanently woven into the Stranger Things universe — and into Netflix history. But was that the only time Metallica made an appearance? Let’s break it all down with every episode and every scene where Metallica melted our minds like demogorgons on toast. 🔥
⚡ Season 4, Episode 9 – The Piggyback
🎵 Song: “Master of Puppets” – Metallica (1986)
🕒 Scene Timestamp: ~38 minutes in
🧛♂️ Context:
Eddie Munson, Hellfire Club president and absolute legend, grabs his Warlock guitar, climbs on top of his trailer in the Upside Down, and blasts “Master of Puppets” like a man possessed (by METAL, obvs). The plan? Distract the bat-like horrors guarding Vecna’s creepy murder mansion so the gang can sneak in unnoticed.
🔥 Why it rocks:
- Eddie’s solo was performed by real-life shredder Tye Trujillo, son of Metallica’s Robert Trujillo.
- Joseph Quinn (Eddie) learned the song himself and actually played much of it on set.
- Metallica themselves gave it the horns-up, saying they were “blown away” by the tribute.
- TikTok exploded with fans discovering (or rediscovering) the track, sending the 1986 classic straight back into the charts.
Metallica + Stranger Things = pop culture perfection.
Quote from the band:
“The way the Duffer Brothers have incorporated music into Stranger Things has always been next level.” – Metallica on Instagram
Fun Fact: “Master of Puppets” plays in its entire 8-minute glory – making it one of the few times a full-length metal epic was allowed to run wild on primetime streaming. Tidy, right?
🎻 Honorable Mention – Wednesday (2022)
Okay, so not technically Stranger Things… but still a Netflix gothic teen drama with a love of the macabre and a killer soundtrack.
🎵 Song: “Nothing Else Matters” – Apocalyptica (Metallica cover)
📺 Episode: Season 1, Episode 1 – Wednesday’s Child Is Full of Woe
Scene: While Enid gives Wednesday Addams a sassy tour of Nevermore Academy, this haunting cello version of “Nothing Else Matters” plays in the background – perfectly fitting the spooky-but-sophisticated vibe.
Why we’re mentioning it:
- Metallica’s DNA runs thick through Netflix’s soundtracks
- Apocalyptica’s cello version is so lush and eerie, it deserves a slow-motion walk through a haunted hallway
🤘 So, Was That Really the Only Time Metallica Featured in Stranger Things?
YES. But it was so damn epic, you’d swear they were on the soundtrack every episode.
Here’s the official Riff Report Metallica x Stranger Things breakdown:
| 📺 Episode | 🎵 Song | 📍 Scene |
|---|---|---|
| S4, Ep9 – The Piggyback | “Master of Puppets” | Eddie shreds on top of his Upside Down trailer to distract demobats |
| (Bonus) Wednesday S1, Ep1 | “Nothing Else Matters” (Apocalyptica) | Played during tour of Nevermore Academy |
🎸 Why Metallica & Stranger Things Is A Match Made in Hellfire Club Heaven
- The show’s 1980s setting? Perfect era for Metallica’s rise to thrash supremacy
- The themes of darkness, rebellion, and chaos? Metal to the core
- Eddie Munson? Literally based on every kid who wore a battle vest in your school cafeteria and air-guitared in detention
Stranger Things didn’t just use Metallica. It resurrected their legend for a new generation. Kids went from knowing Metallica as “Dad’s gym music” to air-shredding along with Eddie on TikTok. 👨🎸📱
🧠 Metallica in Pop Culture: From the Upside Down to the Top 10
After the episode aired, “Master of Puppets” hit:
- #1 on the iTunes rock charts
- Top 40 on Billboard Hot 100 – for the first time ever!
- Spotify streams jumped by 400%+ overnight
Even Robert Trujillo said his son “absolutely crushed” the solo, proving once again that talent — and tremolo — runs in the family.
🧇 Closing Thoughts From the Upside Down
If you didn’t want a guitar after watching Eddie’s solo, check your pulse. Stranger Things x Metallica gave us one of the most metal moments in TV history — and reminded the world that no matter the decade, the riff reigns supreme. 🎸⚡
So whether you’re an OG thrasher or just joined the ride thanks to Netflix, one thing’s for sure:
Eddie Munson didn’t die in vain. He died a hero. A metal legend. A riff god.
…and the bats? They never stood a chance. 🦇
Want more Riff Report madness?
👉 Check out our guides to rock and metal on screen, legendary soundtrack moments, and why the Upside Down needs a Marshall stack.
🎤 “That was most metal ever.” – Dustin Henderson, probably
#StrangerThings #Metallica #EddieMunsonLives #MasterOfPuppets #RiffReportBlog #NetflixAndRiff
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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