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THE REVIEW
In this second album, Metallica come into play with all their technique and fury.
If in "Kill 'Em All" all their aggression was expressed in raw but truly badass and compelling sounds, with a purely thrash metal sound, in "Ride The Lightning" they don't betray their nature and alternate violent riffs with compelling solos in pure heavy metal style.
The album opens with "Fight Fire With Fire," a song in which all the power demonstrated in the previous album is exalted. In the following track, the title track, one of the best on the album, Kirk surpasses himself in an absolutely awesome solo. Following are two indisputable masterpieces of the "Four Horsemen" discography and the history of metal: "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and "Fade To Black." In the former, we find one of the most famous metal riffs. The dark sound of the bell and guitars recalls the atmosphere and style branded by Black Sabbath. "Fade To Black," on the other hand, is a sweet yet angry ballad that takes us to another dimension (naturally metal).
Following are the two less incisive tracks on the album: "Trapped Under Ice" and "Escape" which I still find very beautiful. Next is "Creeping Death," the symbol song of the album in which Metallica churn out spine-chilling riffs and solos. Finally, "The Call Of Ktulu," the only instrumental track on the album, leaves one literally breathless.
In my opinion, the album, along with the previous one ("Kill 'Em All") and the next one (the legendary "Master Of Puppets") is an absolute must-have for a pure metalhead. These three sensational masterpieces are part of metal history. After Cliff's death, they would never again be the same jokers we liked so much, and they would only become accountants for Bob Rock's firm (as one can ascertain by listening from the album "Load" onwards). What nostalgia!!!
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Summary by Bot
Ride the Lightning is Metallica's powerful second album, showcasing their signature thrash style infused with heavy metal solos. Highlights include 'For Whom The Bell Tolls' and 'Fade to Black.' The album is praised as a must-have for metal fans and part of metal history alongside their other classics. It represents the band's peak before future changes in style and lineup.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. They rose from the Bay Area thrash scene with early albums like Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning, achieved mainstream success with 1991's Metallica (The Black Album), and have released a long-running and often debated catalog since.173 Reviews
Other reviews
By wwwhatemoornet
"Almost twenty years have passed since this album was released, and much water has flowed under the bridge in the meantime."
"It’s a pity that a perfect album is ruined by the qualitative void left by Trapped Under Ice and Escape."
By metaldiablo
"Ride the Lightning" is an authentic pillar of metal destined to rise and become a sort of bible for up-and-coming bands.
‘Fade to Black,’ the first poignant ballad from Metallica with equally tear-jerking lyrics: the highlight of the package that alone is worth the price of the CD.
By Sir Psycho Sexy
Ride The Lightning can be listened to by both those who are not genuine fans of the genre and by the most convinced metalheads.
Metallica manages to construct decidedly beautiful and full of character songs with only three or four riffs, not impossible to reproduce, but then they insert guitar solos worthy of the best Kirk.
By Alvaro Il Metallaro
Ride The Lightning, released in 1984, in my opinion is a masterpiece in the history of music, mainly thanks to the genius of Cliff Burton, the bassist.
In my opinion, it is Hetfield’s best vocal performance.
By FedeHetfield
This is indeed Metallica's darkest album, a mix of death, despair, war, and suicide.
'Fade to Black'... one of the most beautiful and saddest ballads ever written.
