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Ride the Lightning

Metallica (Artist) Format: Audio CD
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 645 ratings
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Audio CD, October 25, 1990
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Track Listings

1 Fight Fire With Fire
2 Ride The Lightning
3 For Whom The Bell Tolls
4 Fade To Black
5 Trapped Under Ice
6 Escape
7 Creeping Death
8 The Call Of Ktulu

Editorial Reviews

Product description

No Description Available.
Genre: Popular Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 11-JAN-1989

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Don't let that classical-guitar-ish opening to "Fight Fire with Fire" fool you--Ride the Lightning packs a heavy-metal wallop. While not as ambitious as the subsequent Master of Puppets, this early Metallica album is indubitably one of their best. Thematically, it explores death and dying from myriad points of view: nuclear war ("Fight Fire with Fire"), electric-chair execution (the title track), and drowning ("Trapped Under Ice"). Interestingly, the best track on this album is probably "Fade to Black," a slower, more introspective song about suicide. There's also "Creeping Death," which remains a concert favorite. An excellent mix of rapid-fire guitar riffs, rip-roaring solos, and singer James Hetfield's trademark growl, this is thrash metal at its finest. Very highly recommended. --Genevieve Williams

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 4.94 x 0.45 inches; 3.31 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Elektra / Wea
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 17, 2007
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Elektra / Wea
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000002H2H
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 645 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
645 global ratings
A Heavy Metal Masterpiece
5 Stars
A Heavy Metal Masterpiece
"Ride The Lightning" is one of those albums that redifined the heavy metal genre by giving it a square kick in the butt. You have to remember WHEN this album came out: 1984. "True" heavy metal at the time meant bands like PRIEST, MAIDEN, SAXON, DIO and so forth. METALLICA was strictly "underground" business (much like today's extreme black metal and death metal bands) in that, only a handful of dedicated fans actually went out and bough this when it came out. The buzz on the band was so strong that ELEKTRA ended up signing the band. By mid 80's standards, this was an overtly aggressive, merciless album. METALLICA was one of the few bands that, at the time mada MOTORHEAD sound "tame"!!! And if you hear the songs, most of them hold up really well, since the thrash metal style perfectioned here hasn't really changed that much. The opening number, "Fight Fire With Fire" is the true definition of "Thrash Metal" as we know it. Its merciless, nonstop drum beat, relentless guitar riffing and over the top vocal delivery set the standard by which all subsequent extreme metal bands would follow. The title track is a fine example of progressive metal and the album's closer, "The Call Of Ktulu" demonstrates the bands neo-classical leanings. You might think or say of METALLICA whatever you want now a days, but THIS album belongs in a time capsule for future generations to listen and learn from. Yes, it is THAT good and you too should own this brilliant metal masterpiece!
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Top reviews from the United States

Brian
5.0 out of 5 stars The pinnacle of Heavy Metal
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2022
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I purchased this album as a not nosed 17 year old when came out. I will admit I bought there initial album and was blown away. The amazing thing about this recording is this. I have totally immersed my on metal from everything out there from Death to Black and everything in between. This album is the absolute best metal album ever produced. I say that without reservations. People these days have no idea how incredibly progressive this album was at the time. No one had even considered being this great in metal. This is clearly the greatest metal album ever made for me. Still today it boggles the mind.
4 people found this helpful
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ChuckDeezul
5.0 out of 5 stars What an AMAZING album!
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2005
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This record was my introduction to Metallica back in '84? Anyways, when I heard For Whom The Bells Toll (1st song I ever heard from them), I lost my freakin' mind. The heavy bell chime, then the ripping of the songs opening. CA RA ZEE! I was sitting in my dark bedroom, listening to a radio station that only played heavy music at night (Midnight to 3pm) and heard this song. I was hooked. After this album (not cd's), I purchased Kill 'Em All and started sweating when I experienced it. ESPECIALLY Anesthesia-Cliff done lost his damn mind! WHEW. I sweat through the whole set! Everyone knows Jimi was the best guitarist EVER! Cliff is the master of metal bass playing! Someone please challenge me? Just imagine him with that long neck bass, head bobbing as he plays intensely. Enough of Kill Em' All, Back to RTL. James' howl on every song, except Call of Ktulu, was piercing. And Kirk with his acned baby face and curly hair shredded the solos. And the Bjon Bork on drums. Lars did a great pounding on every song. Great cd! To those of you who have yet to purchase a Metallica, first off-What tha F**k! Get ur lazy ass up and buy this cd before I have to kill 'em all! Kidding (don't send any troops after me W & Rumsfeld)!
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Adam
5.0 out of 5 stars Other Worldly
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2013
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I don't have too much to add to the myriad 5 star reviews. If for some reason you are on the fence about buying this album, just buy it. It starts out with three fantastic metal songs and just gets better and better. The final song on this album creates an entirely new type of music, combining metal with classical music in an instrumental that will blow your mind. It's hard to believe an album like this was made by mortals. Arguably the best album ever, not just metal, but all rock.
4 people found this helpful
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S. Renfro
5.0 out of 5 stars Metallica stepping up
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2013
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This is the beginning of Metallica starting to add more motivation to their music.. The audio mix for the band starts to improve, in my opinion. As does their next albums. I like listening to their live shows and have bought their beginning CD's from there. The new live stuff is great, but you usually want to hear where they began. This was one of the best.
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Kevin Finn
5.0 out of 5 stars Check out tracks 1,2,3 and 8
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2015
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Great thing about metallica's 2nd album is it's pretty much prog metal. I was surprised at track 8 cause I'd heard it before on S & M. It's better on that one with the orchestra, but the original version here surprised me cause the ending to it was really good.
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Adam Nowicki
4.0 out of 5 stars Metallica - Ride the Lightning
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
Metallica hit their stride with Ride the Lightning. There is much debate between fans over what is the "best" Metallica album (I fall firmly in the Master of Puppets camp), and Ride the Lightning is worthy of the title.
Its a solid album from start to finish, with Fade to Black, Ride the Lightning, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Call of Ktulu being the standouts. I find Escape, Creeping Death, Trapped Under Ice, to be great trash songs (just not up to the caliber of what I previously listed)
The reason this album gets 4 stars is due to Fight Fire with Fire. I just don't dig it. I always skip it and start with Ride the Lightning.
Otherwise, a great album for metal fans, Metalllica fans, and a great starting point for new listeners.
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Rock 'N Roll
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Metallica Album
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2008
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There is Great music, then there is Metallica. This album showcases everything I love about Metallica. Sure, "Master of Puppets" has a few great songs, and so does "And Justice For All". However, those two great albums pale to their predecessor, Ride the Lightning. This album has great vocals, great Guitar playing, good druming and killer Lyrics. This Album is an instant classic.
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Metalhead52790
5.0 out of 5 stars Ride the lightning
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2013
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Need I say more about this cd? One of the greats produced by the greatest thrash "at the time" and heavy metal bands of all time at no surprise amazon delivered this cd quickly and efficiently thank you for having such an easy at home shopping experience
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kareka
5.0 out of 5 stars Ok
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2018
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Ok
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Sacchetta
5.0 out of 5 stars A++
Reviewed in Canada on May 29, 2016
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A++
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cheap13
5.0 out of 5 stars Creeping Death がシングルだって！？
Reviewed in Japan on July 1, 2007
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このアルバムが発売された時、Creeping Death がシングルだと知って何故？と思った。Fight Fire with Fire じゃないの？と。後にジェイムスがインタビューで”日本のファンはFight Fire with Fire を演奏してくれとリクエストが多いのが不思議だ”と答えていた記憶がある。NWOBHMをこよなく愛し、それをバックグラウンドにしているバンドとファンがスラッシュメタルの王道と見据えていたところに実はギャップがあった証拠がこのインタビューの答えの中にあると思う。だから、今ではライブでも欠かすことの出来ない名曲のCreeping Death でさえシングル発売に私は違和感を感じたのだ。
もちろんアルバム自体、1STが話題になったバンドは2NDはバンドにとっては生命線であるが、それを難なくクリア。曲構成も随分と錬られ、クトウルー神話も登場と進歩が見られ、なにより奇跡の3RDへとバトンを渡した重要な作品となった。アメリカではエレクトラ／アサイラムから再発され、晴れてメジャーレーベルバンドとなり、デイ・オン・ザ・グリーン・フェスティバルでの好演もこの時期であったし、その凄さは3RDの裏ジャケを飾ったことでも分かる。世の中はメタリカをスラッシュメタルの王者として迎えた（期待した）わけである。その後はご存じの通り、”ロックモンスター”となっていった。現在でも変わらず期待を裏切らないスレイヤーのような速い曲はやらないし、シングルのＢ面でバンドのバックグラウンドを徐々に見せてきていたのはこの時期からであった。ただ速い曲を演奏するバンドではなくなっていった訳だ。
蛇足で当時のフランス盤はジャケットを青ではなく、プレスミスで緑で発売してしまい、後に回収。プレミアものである。
6 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast delivery.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2016
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Fast delivery. Great price and am very pleased.
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paul richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2014
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old school
One person found this helpful
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