Metallica - Ride The Lightning (1984)

Track Listing:

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

Lineup:

• James Hetfield
• Kirk Hammett
• Cliff Burton
• Lars Ulrich

even though a lot of people keep debating as to which is the best METALLICA album ever, 1984's RIDE THE LIGHTNING comes very close to being one of the best ever in metal history. this is pure unadulterated thrash metal, music that after one listen, makes you wanna beat up someone.

the opening track 'Fight fire with fire' starts with a cool sounding classical guitar piece, which then evolves into a barrage of thrash riffs created to numb your brain.

even though this is not really a concept album, death seems to take centre stage in every song here. the nuclear apocalypse tinged opening track, 'ride the lightning' talks about the electric chair execution, 'trapped under ice' talks about drowning, 'creeping death' talks about the famous moses & the pharoah incident mentioned in the bible, 'fade to black' talks about suicide.

also fade to black is probably the greatest ever power ballad/thrash song ever written. that one song has inspired more people to playing metal guitar than any other song on the planet.

Lars in an exceptional drummer & James is perhaps the greatest rhythm guitarist ever. there is not a single dull moment in the entire album.

the solos are crafted to perfection, the rhythm section is totally made to injure the spine, the drums are on fire & the vocals though not yet matured, couldnt have been done better by anyone else

the production is good & gives an ambiance of a dark, war ravaged wasteland where everything seems to just die.

a 100 years from now, & this will still be regarded as one of the all time classics in music history.
you can bet on that

my rating
10/10

review by Pritham 'Metal farmer' D'Souza