Question: In what year did Metallica release the album which preceded "Master of Puppets"?
Context: Master of Puppets is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica.  It was released on March 3, 1986 by Elektra Records.  Recorded at the Sweet Silence Studios with producer Flemming Rasmussen, it was the first Metallica album released on a major record label.  "Master of Puppets" was the band's last album to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a bus accident in Sweden during the album's promotional tour.  The album peaked at number 29 on the "Billboard" 200 and became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum.  It was certified 6× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2003 for shipping six million copies in the United States.  The album was eventually certified 6× platinum by Music Canada and gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). "Creeping Death" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica, released as the lead and only commercial single from their second studio album "Ride the Lightning" (1984) ("Fade to Black" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls", from the same album, were issued as promotional singles).  Written from the perspective of the Angel of Death, it describes the (Exodus 12:29).  One of Metallica's most frequently performed songs, it has been played live 1,458 times (third only to "Seek & Destroy" at 1,484 and "Master of Puppets", at 1,553), and it has occasionally been used on various tours as the opening song of the band's set.  It stands as a classic example of the band's thrash style, albeit slower than the material on their first album, "Kill 'Em All".  The song's middle section, with its ominous chants of "Die!"  set to a phrygian mode chord progression, is a fan participation staple during Metallica shows. The Damage, Inc.  Tour was a concert tour by American thrash metal band Metallica in support of the band's third studio album, "Master of Puppets".  The name of the tour is taken from the last song on the album.  It began on March 27, 1986 and ended on February 13, 1987.  Metallica supported Ozzy Osbourne from March to August, headlined a string of U.S. dates between May 23 and June 7 with Armored Saint, and were the main act throughout the fall and winter with support from Anthrax and Metal Church.  Roadie John Marshall, who also played guitar in "Metal Church", filled in for James Hetfield on rhythm guitar between July 27 and September 25 following a mid-tour skateboarding accident resulting in a broken arm.  Hetfield, Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammett originally decided to dismiss Lars Ulrich upon completion of the tour, but plans were set aside upon the death of Burton on September 27, 1986 in a tour bus accident near Ljungby, Sweden while en route from Stockholm to Copenhagen, Denmark.  Performances that were scheduled for October were postponed and the band hired a new bassist, Jason Newsted to complete the rest of the tour.  Metallica also became the first band of the Big Four to cross the Iron Curtain, with two concerts in Katowice, Poland on February 10 and 11, 1987. Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984, by the independent record label Megaforce Records.  The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at the Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The artwork, based on a concept by the band, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band logo.  The title was taken from a passage in Stephen King's novel "The Stand".  Although rooted in the thrash metal genre, the album showcased the band's musical growth and lyrical sophistication.  This was partly because bassist Cliff Burton introduced the basics of music theory to the rest of the band and had more input in the songwriting.  Instead of relying strictly on fast tempos as on its debut "Kill 'Em All", Metallica broadened its approach by employing acoustic guitars, extended instrumentals, and more complex harmonies.  The overall recording costs were paid by Metallica's European label Music for Nations because Megaforce was unable to cover it.  It was the last album to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine. The following is the discography of Metallica, a Los Angeles-based metal band formed in 1981 by James Hetfield (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Lars Ulrich (drums).  After several bassist and lead guitarist changes, the band settled on Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammett, respectively.  Metallica started playing locally, releasing their first widely circulated demo, "No Life 'til Leather", in 1982.  The demo caught the attention of Johny Zazula, who signed Metallica to Megaforce Records.  The band released "Kill 'Em All" in 1983, and the following year they released "Ride the Lightning".  After "Ride the Lightning" was released, Metallica left Megaforce and signed to Elektra Records.  In March 1986, the band released its third studio album, "Master of Puppets", which was Metallica's first album to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  While promoting the album, Burton was killed in a bus accident.  Jason Newsted was hired as a replacement.  The band's first release to feature the new member was "," and then followed by "...And Justice for All" in August 1988, which peaked at number six on the "Billboard" 200. "Seek & Destroy" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica and ninth track from their debut studio album, "Kill 'Em All".  It was also featured on the demo "No Life 'til Leather".  It was the first song the band recorded in a studio.  "Seek & Destroy" has been frequently performed at the group's concerts since its live debut in 1982 and had been Metallica's closing song from the Madly in Anger with the World Tour to the Metallica By Request Tour.  It is the second-most performed song in the band's history, having been played 1,484 times as of September 2017, ahead of "Creeping Death" (1,458), but behind only "Master of Puppets" (1,553). Kill 'Em All is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 25, 1983, by the independent record label Megaforce Records.  "Kill 'Em All" is regarded as a groundbreaking album for thrash metal because of its precise musicianship, which fuses new wave of British heavy metal riffs with hardcore punk tempos.  The album's musical approach and lyrics were markedly different from rock's mainstream of the early 1980s and inspired a number of bands who followed in similar manner.  The album did not enter the "Billboard" 200 until 1986, when it peaked at number 155, following Metallica's commercial success with its third studio album "Master of Puppets"; the 1988 Elektra reissue peaked at number 120.  "Kill 'Em All" was critically praised at the time of its release and in retrospect, and was placed on a few publications' best album lists.  It was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1999 for shipping three million copies in the United States.  The album generated two singles, "Whiplash" and "Jump in the Fire". Garage Inc. is a compilation album of cover songs by American heavy metal band Metallica.  It was released on November 23, 1998 through Elektra Records.  Over 2.5 million copies have been sold in the U.S. as certified by the RIAA.  It includes cover songs, B-side covers, and "", which had gone out of print since its original release in 1987.  The title is a combination of "Garage Days Revisited" and their song "Damage, Inc.", from "Master of Puppets", and the album's artwork draws heavily from the 1987 EP.  The album features songs by artists that have influenced Metallica, including many bands from the new wave of British heavy metal movement, hardcore punk bands and popular songs.  As of August 2013, the album has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. Live at Brixton Academy is the first live album by the Australian electronic rock and drum and bass band Pendulum, recorded live at the Brixton Academy in London, England and released on 12 June 2009 by Warner Bros.  Records, Earstorm and Breakbeat Kaos.  It was produced by Mike Downs and directed by Paul Caslin.  The concert features live footage filmed by 12 fans.  Six tracks on the DVD extra are fan only edits, with an audience heavy 5.1 remix.  The live album was available for pre-order on 8 June 2009, just a week before its release.  On 9 June 2009 a special premiere of the live show was put on in an exclusive theater which Pendulum attended.  Both the audio CD and DVD contain their live cover of Metallica's Master of Puppets. Masterful Mystery Tour is the second album from Beatallica.  It contains 12 tracks, which are mashups (or Bashups) of songs by the Beatles and Metallica.  As with their first album "Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band", this album contains re-recordings of songs from the band's EP releases "A Garage Dayz Nite" and "Beatallica", plus six new Beatles/Metallica mashup songs.  The album cover is a parody of The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" and Metallica's "Master of Puppets".
Answer: 1984