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THE REVIEW
1984, while the NWOBHM was reaching its end by releasing its definitive masterpieces, "Defenders Of The Faith" by Judas Priest and "Powerslave" by Iron Maiden, in California, the Thrash movement was maturing and would peak in 1986.
It was in that year that Metallica released their second album, "Ride The Lightning". After the murderous fury of "Kill'Em All", which along with Slayer's contemporary "Show No Mercy", is universally known as the baptismal act of Thrash (and in my opinion of all extreme metal), Metallica renewed their style. We're not yet at the perfection of "Master Of Puppets" or the technicalities of "And Justice For All", but the Four Horsemen crafted what can be considered their true first great album.
The album begins with a classical guitar arpeggio that gives no hint of the hell about to be unleashed. Indeed, soon after, "FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE" explodes, a murderous gallop that leaves no room to breathe, with James Hetfield expressing with a very powerful voice, especially towards the end. It continues with the title track "RIDE THE LIGHTNING", an indictment against the death penalty. This track is also very fast and pressing with a beautiful central solo. Then, with "FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS", Metallica offers one of their first mid-tempos, based on Hemingway's famous novel about the Spanish Civil War. With the fourth track, "FADE TO BLACK", comes Metallica's first semi-ballad. The track starts with an initial arpeggio, progresses with two very melodic verses, and then explodes in a fiery finale. The following two tracks, "TRAPPED UNDER ICE" and "ESCAPE", are considered fillers by most, but I honestly like them a lot, particularly "Trapped Under Ice", which speaks of the mirage of immortality through freezing, whereas the other talks about the desire to live free from all constraints and rules. The seventh track, "CREEPING DEATH", needs no comment. Even today, the band uses it to open their concerts, this is the encyclopedia of Heavy Metal. It talks about the ten biblical plagues that afflicted Egypt, said to have been composed after watching the film The Ten Commandments. The final seal of this work is the massive and beautiful "THE CALL OF KTULU", an entirely instrumental track based on the stories of the great H.P. Lovecraft (to get an idea of how many Metal Bands have been inspired by the works of this immortal author, you only need to search the internet).
This album opened the doors to metal for me, which is why I chose it as my first review, fully aware that it has been analyzed and reviewed in every possible way. Additionally, being my first review, I chose an album I practically know by heart and thus wanted to play it safe. In the future, I will try to review emerging and lesser-known bands.
P.s. thank you TEPES for your advice, KRYPT OF KERBEROS is awesome, I have never heard anything like it before!!!!!!!!!!!
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Summary by Bot
Ride The Lightning, Metallica's second album, marks a defining moment in thrash metal evolution. The review highlights the mix of furious riffs and melodic moments, particularly praising iconic tracks like "Fight Fire With Fire," "Fade to Black," and "Creeping Death." The album is recognized as a gateway into metal for the reviewer and a classic within the genre.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 AR (Anonima Recensori)
In this second album, Metallica come into play with all their technique and fury.
'For Whom The Bell Tolls' and 'Fade To Black' are indisputable masterpieces of the Four Horsemen discography and the history of metal.
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.
