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Ride the Lightning

Metallica

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iTunes Review

Over the course of the eight tracks on Ride the Lightning the listener can detect the beginnings of the cataclysmic shift occurring in metal. Opening with the punishing combination of “Fight Fire With Fire” and “Ride the Lightning,” Metallica provide an immediate reminder of why they are the reigning kings of thrash metal, but with the slow, steamrolling riff of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” it becomes clear that the band is growing beyond the speed metal parameters of Kill ‘Em All. Their ambition is confirmed by “Fade to Black,” a ballad that refuses to sacrifice attitude for sentiment. To reiterate for their fans that they weren’t going soft, the second side of Ride the Lightning is lined with three of the band’s most devastating jolts: “Trapped Under Ice,” “Escape,” and “Creeping Death.” The album ends with “The Call of Ktulu,” an intricate eight-minute epic that points the way towards Master of Puppets and …And Justice For All. Ride The Lightning proved Metallica were more than the American metal movement’s brightest stars — they were now its leaders.

Customer Reviews

Their First Five Star Masterpiece

I absolutely LOVE this album. It was my second Metallica album(first being Master of Puppets), and still stands as my second favorite. This certainly pushed the bar higher for all thrash bands (including Slayer) and deserves an in-depth review. I'll take it song-by-song: 1.Fight Fire With Fire-The first of three straight political songs on the album. Talks about humanity's death due to nuclear warfare, a very serious concern in 1984. Overall, I have to agree with the guy who says this sounds like Slayer, other than the vocals are deeper. Probably the least melody of any song on the album, but given time, you'll love it just like I do. Rating: 9.1/10. Must-have. 2.Ride The Lightning-Also a very political song, concerning a condemned man's trip to the electric chair. The lyrics imply that he goes insane waiting to die, which will likely turn you against the death penalty. The solo on this is choice, as are the riffs, and the vocals are choice; you will enjoy singing/shouting along w/ this one. One of the longer songs, but doesn't drag. If you don't love this song, you're not a true Metallica fan. Rating: 10/10. Must-have. 3.For Whom the Bell Tolls-Once again, a war song, ripped from the Hemingway book of the same name. About a group of soldiers who die fighting for a hill. The chromatic intro is one of bassist Cliff Burton's best known (no doubt due to the heavy radio airplay the song gets). One of the best songs on the album. Rating: 10/10. Must-have. 4.Fade To Black-No politics on this one, it's a ballad. The lyrics imply suicide, but it could also be death in general. It avoids being emo by not dwelling on the reasons or stating the methodology. Although it's the softest on the album, it's the best since it was so different from the other songs. The choruses have no lyrics, and the last solo by Kirk Hammett is one of the most stirring in their catalogue. The best of their ballads. Rating: 10/10. Must-have. 5.Trapped Under Ice-Another go-ahead thrasher. Also really good, especially w/ the three solos, but falls a little short with the time. The lyrics tell the torture of a man who is imprisoned beneath a frozen lake. Very good, but too short for me. Rating: 8.9/10. Highly Recommended. 6.Escape-The one song whose lyrics don't involve death. It's an individualist anthem. This one is also a little flawed, especially since James Hetfield's vocals are a little forced. The riff and solo are also lackluster compared to the other songs. I like it, but it's still one to grow on. Rating: 7.8/10. Highly recommended. 7.Creeping Death-Another brilliant piece. Like Ride the Lightning, you can't be a true Metallica fan if you don't like this song. The solo on this piece is choice, as well as the bridge, which Hammett brought with him from Exodus(it was the chorus of a piece called "Die By The Sword"). The lyrics are told from the POV of the Biblical tenth plague of Egypt (death of firstborn). Also of particular note is the final chorus, where Cliff Burton does backup vocals. Rating: 10/10. Must-have. 8.The Call of Ktulu-The first full-band instrumental. Based on the Cthuhlu Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. The piece is very interesting, and progesses quite nicely. It’ second to Orion from Master Of Puppets but is quite a good piece. Rating: 9.5/10. Must-have. Album Rating: 9.4/10. Must-have. This album was innovative for its time and remains so today. Although it would be overshadowed by Master, it remains visible to all Metallica fans. With two of my three favorite Metallica songs, it’s an all time favorite in my very small CD collection (w/ my other Metallica albums).

Best Metallica Album

Personally, I don't think I have ever spent my money on anything more worth than Ride The Lightning. People want to say that Master Of Puppets is the best Metallica album but I tend to disagree. This album is so good and there isn't a single song that you will not like. "Creeping Death" is probably one of the best Metallica songs there is and "For Whom The Bells Tolls" is probably one of the best songs I have heard PERIOD. "Fade To Black" is one of their best slow songs and the title track "Ride The Lightning" has some great guitar from Kirk Hammet. The instrumental song "Call of Ktulu" has an interesting name and sends chills up your spine just listening to it and would be a perfect song to start a horror movie. If you are a fan of any kind of rock music this is a must buy album and for those of you who haven't discovered Metallica yet, it isn't too late to try!

Words can't explain this album

Everything about it rocks.... enough said.

Biography

Formed: 1981 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

Metallica was easily the best, most influential heavy metal band of the '80s. Responsible for bringing the genre back to Earth, the bandmates looked and talked like they were from the street, shunning the usual rockstar games of metal musicians during the early '80s. Metallica also expanded the limits of thrash, using speed and volume not for their own sake, but to enhance their intricately structured compositions. The release of 1983's Kill 'Em All marked the beginning of the legitimization of heavy...
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