Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by the heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984, by the independent record label Megaforce Records. The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The artwork, based on a concept by the band, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band logo. The title was taken from a passage in Stephen King‘s novel The Stand, in which a character uses the phrase to refer to execution by electric chair.
Although rooted in the thrash metal genre, the album showcased the band’s musical growth and lyrical sophistication. Bassist Cliff Burton introduced the basics of music theory to the band and had more input in the songwriting. Beyond the fast tempos of its debut Kill ‘Em All, Metallica broadened its approach by employing acoustic guitars, extended instrumentals, and more complex harmonies. The overall recording costs were paid by Metallica‘s European label Music for Nations because Megaforce was unable to cover it. It is the last album to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and the first to feature contributions from successor Kirk Hammett.
Ride the Lightning received a positive response from music critics, who saw it as a more ambitious effort than its predecessor. Metallica promoted the album on the Bang That Head That Doesn’t Bang European tour in late 1984, and on its North American leg in the first half of 1985. The band performed at major music festivals such as Monsters of Rock and Day on the Green later that year. Two months after its release, Elektra Records signed Metallica to a multi-year deal and reissued the album. Ride the Lightning peaked at number 100 on the Billboard 200 with virtually no radio exposure. Although 75,000 copies were initially pressed for the American market, the album sold half a million by November 1987. It was certified 6× platinum by the (RIAA) in 2012 for shipping six million copies in the United States. Many rock publications have ranked Ride the Lightning on their best album lists, saying it had a lasting impact on the genre.
Tracklist:
- Fight Fire with Fire
- Ride the Lightning
- For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Fade to Black
- Trapped Under Ice
- Escape
- Creeping Death
- The Call of Ktulu (instrumental)
- For Whom the Bell Tolls (live)
- Creeping Death (live)
Metallica
James Hetfield: lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar on “Fade to Black”
Kirk Hammett: lead guitar, backing vocals
Cliff Burton: bass, backing vocals
Lars Ulrich: drums, percussion, backing vocals on “Ride the Lightning”, anvil on “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
Production
Metallica: production
Flemming Rasmussen: production assistant, engineering
Mark Whitaker: production assistant, concert sound engineer, live production manager
Tom Coyne: mastering on Megaforce release
Tim Young: mastering on Music for Nations release
Bob Ludwig: mastering on Elektra release
Packaging
Metallica: cover concept
AD Artists: cover design
Fin Costello, Anthony D. Somella, Robert Hoetink: inner sleeve photos
Pete Cronin, Rick Brackett, Harold Oimen: back cover photos
Cliff Burton (February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986) .
