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Ride the Lightning
Released 27th July 1984
Recorded 13th February 1984 - 14th March 1984 at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark
Length 47:24
Number of tracks 8
Label Megaforce Records (USA)
Music for Nations (Europe)
Formats LP, Cassette, CD, ITunes
Genre Thrash Metal
Chronology
Previous Album
Kill 'Em All
Next Album
Master of Puppets

Ride the Lightning was released on July 27, 1984 by Megaforce Records and re-released by Elektra Records on November 19, 1984. It has sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. and have been certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA.

Background[]

In July 1983, Metallica released their debut studio album, titled Kill 'Em All through Megaforce Records. On February 20, 1984, the band began work on their second album, titled Ride the Lightning, at Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark. The album was produced under Flemming Rasmussen, founder of Sweet Silence Studios, who also went on to produce the band's following two albums, Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All. Metallica finished recording Ride the Lightning on March 14, 1984, and the album was released through Megaforce on July 30, 1984. On September 12, 1984, Metallica signed with major label Elektra Records who re-released the album on November 19, 1984.

Ride the Lightning is the last Metallica album to credit former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine with co-writing any songs. Mustaine was kicked out of the band in 1983, prior to the recording of Kill 'Em All. He is credited on the title track, "Ride the Lightning", and instrumental track "The Call of Ktulu". The album is also the first for which lead guitarist Kirk Hammett is given writing credits.

Reception[]

Critical[]

Q (Summer/01, p. 127) - 5 stars out of 5 - "Reaffirms their status as the pre-eminent metal band of the modern era....They broke with the conventions of thrash metal to record the genre's first power ballad in 'Fade to Black'."

Kerrang! (p. 50) - "[The album included] melody, maturity and musical intelligence. It was these traits which helped them broaden metal's scope."

Accolades[]

Chad Bowar writing for About.com, listed Ride the Lightning as the second best Metallica album behind Master of Puppets. He said that Ride the Lightning was another big step forward from their groundbreaking debut album. Steve Peake, also writing for About.com, names "Ride the Lightning", "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Fade to Black" and "Escape" in his list of the "Top 10 Metallica Songs of the '80s". The album was listed at number 5 by IGN Music on their "Top 25 Metal Albums".

Ride the Lightning is often hailed by fans as a classic of the thrash metal genre and a vital bridge between the band's albums Kill 'Em All and Master of Puppets, pushing the thrash metal of the debut into progressive territory more fully-realized on Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All.

Ride the Lightning retains the speed of Kill 'Em All on songs like "Trapped Under Ice" and "Fight Fire with Fire", but also contains the first of Metallica's longer, more symphonically arranged tracks, such as "Fade to Black" and the nearly 9-minute closing instrumental "The Call of Ktulu". "Ride the Lightning" is also the last Metallica album to credit Dave Mustaine.

Bernett's misprint[]

In 1984, the French record label Bernett Records misprinted the color of the album cover in green, rather than blue. 400 copies with the green cover were pressed. Because of their rarity, this misprint caused these green albums to become a guaranteed collectors item.

Tracklisting[]

No. Title Composer Length
1. Fight Fire with Fire James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton 4:46
2. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine 6:37
3. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton 5:10
4. Fade to Black James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett 6:51
5. Trapped Under Ice James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett 4:04
6. Escape James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett 4:24
7. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett 6:36
8. The Call of Ktulu James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine 8:54
Total length:
47:24

iTunes Bonus Tracks[]

No. Title Composer Length
9. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live 29.08.1989 in Seattle, The United States) James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton 5:34
10. Creeping Death (Live 29.08.1989 in Seattle, The United States) James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett 8:12
Total length:
61:12

Deluxe Edition[]

Disc 1[]

No. Title Composer Length
1. Fight Fire with Fire James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
2. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
3. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
4. Fade to Black James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
5. Trapped Under Ice James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
6. Escape James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
7. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
8. The Call of Ktulu James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine

Disc 2[]

Live 10.03.1985 in Los Angeles, The United States

No. Title Composer Length
1. The Ecstasy of Gold Ennio Morricone
2. Fight Fire with Fire James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
3. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
4. Phantom Lord James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine
5. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth Cliff Burton
6. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
7. No Remorse James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich

Disc 3[]

Live 10.03.1985 in Los Angeles, The United States

No. Title Composer Length
1. Fade to Black James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
2. Seek & Destroy James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
3. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
4. Am I Evil? [Diamond Head Cover] Sean Harris, Brian Tatler
5. Motorbreath James Hetfield

Disc 4[]

No. Title Composer Length
1. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
2. Am I Evil? [Diamond Head Cover] Sean Harris, Brian Tatler
3. Blitzkrieg [Blitzkrieg Cover] Ian Jones, Jim Sirotto, Brian Ross

Disc 5[]

No. Title Composer Length
1. Fight Fire with Fire James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
2. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
3. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
4. Fade to Black James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
5. Trapped Under Ice James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
6. Escape James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
7. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
8. The Call of Ktulu James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine

Disc 6[]

No. Title Composer Length
1. Metal Force Magazine Interview with Lars
2. WUSC Cleveland Radio Interview with Cliff and Kirk
3. Metal Madness Interview with Lars

Disc 7[]

No. Title Composer Length
1. Ride the Lightning [Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
2. When Hell Freezes Over [Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
3. Creeping Death [Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
4. Fight Fire with Fire [Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
5. Ride the Lightning [Garage Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
6. When Hell Freezes Over [Garage Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
7. Fight Fire with Fire [Garage Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
8. Ride the Lightning [Boombox Demo Version] James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
9. Blitzkrieg [Blitzkrieg Cover][Demo Version #1] Ian Jones, Jim Sirotto, Brian Ross
10. Am I Evil? [Diamond Head Cover][Demo Version #1] Sean Harris, Brian Tatler

Disc 8[]

Live 15.03.1985 in San Francisco, The United States

No. Title Composer Length
1. Fight Fire with Fire James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
2. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
3. Phantom Lord James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine
4. The Four Horsemen James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine
5. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth Cliff Burton
6. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
7. No Remorse James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
8. Fade to Black James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
9. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
10. Kirk Hammett's Guitar Solo Kirk Hammett
11. Am I Evil? [Diamond Head Cover] Sean Harris, Brian Tatler
12. Motorbreath James Hetfield

Disc 9[]

liuve 20.12.1984 in London, The United Kingdom

No. Title Composer Length
1. Phantom Lord James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine
2. The Four Horsemen James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine
3. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth Cliff Burton
4. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
5. No Remorse James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
6. The Call of Ktulu James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
7. Seek & Destroy James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
8. Whiplash James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
9. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
10. Kirk Hammett's Guitar Solo Kirk Hammett
11. Metal Militia James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine

Disc 10[]

Live 17.08.1985 in Castle Donington, The United Kingdom

No. Title Composer Length
1. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
2. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
3. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
4. The Four Horsemen James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine
5. Fade to Black James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
6. Seek & Destroy James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
7. Whiplash James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
8. Motorbreath James Hetfield

Disc 11[]

Live 14.09.1985 Sankt Goarshausen, in Germany

No. Title Composer Length
1. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett 6:10
2. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine 6:57
3. Disposable Heroes James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett 9:16
4. No Remorse James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich 6:37
5. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth Cliff Burton 1:54
6. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton 4:24
7. The Four Horsemen James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine 5:31
8. Fade to Black James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett 7:18
9. Seek & Destroy James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich 6:52
10. Whiplash James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich 5:09
11. Fight Fire with Fire James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton 4:23
12. Kirk Hammett's Guitar Solo Kirk Hammett 2:45
13. Am I Evil? [Diamond Head Cover] Sean Harris, Brian Tatler 3:42
14. Motorbreath James Hetfield 4:44

Live 31.08.1985 in Oakland, The United States

No. Title Composer Length
15. Creeping Death James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett 4:49
16. Ride the Lightning James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine 7:06
17. For Whom the Bell Tolls James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton 4:52


No. Title Composer Length
18. MTV News Interview with Lars and James 8:58
19. Lars' First Televison Interview - DR TV James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine 1:07
20. Lars Interview Segment - DR TV James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton 0:57
Total length:
103:39

Tour[]

Ride the Lightning would be supported by two tours, the Bang That Head That Doesn't Bang Tour and the Ride the Lightning Tour. The Bang That Head That Doesn't Bang Tour would span 25 shows from November 16, 1984 to December 20, 1984. The tour would include the band Tank. The official Ride the Lightning Tour span 57 shows from January 11, 1985 to December 31, 1985. Metallica would co-headline with W.A.S.P. and would include other acts such as Armored Saint, Tank, ZZ Top, Marillion, Bon Jovi, Ratt, Magnum, Tommy Vance, and Exodus.

Trivia[]

  • Ride the Lightning is one of only two albums to feature songwriting credits for more than four people, the other album being 1988's ...And Justice for All.
  • Ride the Lightning is one of only two albums to be tuned higher than A440 throughout, the other album being 1983's Kill 'Em All. Both were recorded at A445, but "For Whom the Bell Tolls" on this album was recorded even slightly higher, to match with the sound of the bells at the start.

Personnel[]

Metallica

Technical personnel

  • Flemming Rasmussen – producer, engineer
  • Metallica – producers, cover concept
  • Mark Whitaker – executive producer
  • Tom Coyne – mastering on Megaforce release
  • Frankford Wayne – mastering on Megaforce release
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering on Elektra release
  • George Marino – remastering on 1995 reissue
  • Mike Gillies – mixing of digital reissue bonus tracks
  • AD Artists – cover design
  • Fin Costello – photography
  • Anthony D. Sommella – tour/live photography
  • Robert Hoetink – photography
  • Pete Cronin – photography
  • Rick Brackett – photography
  • Harold Oimen – photography

References[]

Ride the Lightning
Ride the Lightning
Songs Fight Fire with FireRide the LightningFor Whom the Bell TollsFade to BlackTrapped Under IceEscapeCreeping DeathThe Call of Ktulu
Members James HetfieldLars UlrichKirk HammettCliff Burton
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