Ride the Lightning [Original recording remastered]

Metallica | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002H2H
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (858 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Thrash & Speed Metal
  • #7 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Hard Rock
  • #21 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Pop Metal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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 Description

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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 138 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No longer my fave, but still really great. August 2, 2001

By The Wickerman

Format:Audio CD

When I first bought this album, it instantly became my favorite. I thought it was incredible, and that nothing could ever touch it. Well, since then I have changed my mind. I have found a lot (but not a whole lot) of albums that are just as good as this one, and even better. But, make no mistake, this is one of the greatest albums ever made, for sure. When the acoustic intro to "Fight Fire with Fire" starts out, you might think you bought the wrong album, but then the heavy guitar hits you like a ton of bricks, and before you know it, you're thrashing around, destroying everything in sight. The guitars are very tight, and awesome solos abound. Cliff's bass is very menacing (if not a bit hard to hear). Lars doesn't stand out much, but he does a pretty decent job. There isn't a bad moment on here, but the highlights would have to be the classic "For Whom the Bell Tolls", the amazing ballad "Fade to Black", and, one of the greatest thrash songs ever, "Creeping Death". It all amounts to what is simply one of the greatest thrash metal albums ever made. There is a great deal of argument as to which Metallica album is the best. Many seem to think that "Master of Puppets" is the best, but I am very adamant in my decision that this is their finest moment. If pressed, I would say that this one and MOP are close to equal. I certainly prefer this one to "Kill Em All" and "And Justice for All", but MOP is a very close call. Anyway, if you love great metal, this is one album you should definitely buy. If you like this album, and want to hear more great metal, I would recommend "Powerslave" by Iron Maiden (which came out in the same year as RTL, by the way), "Reign in Blood" by Slayer, "The New Order" by Testament, "Among the Living" by Anthrax, "Peace Sells..." by Megadeth, "Cowboys from Hell" by Pantera, and anything by Iced Earth. Man, this was great metal. I wish more people did stuff like this today.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ECSTACY IN GOLD February 1, 2000

By Sean P Flaherty

Format:Audio CD

This cd, like Metallica's "Master of Puppets" was re-mastered by DCC and sounds just as awesome. I know many metallifans are skeptical about purchasing these re-masters, but to my ears, the superior sound quality is there and is noticeable. I have owned a recording of this album (Ride the Lightning) on either record or cd since 1984, and have heard it probably a million times since then. When I heard the remastered cd version today, I heard many things that I hadn't heard before. For example: The clarity in the intro solo by Hammett on "Fade to Black, the way Cliff Burton's roaring, howling lead bass was meant to stand out on "The Call of Ktulu", crisper drums and background vocals on "Creeping Death" and "Trapped Under Ice" are just some of the many sonic improvements on this cd. I understand that it's a lot of money for a cd that most people who are fans of the band already own. But if you are a long time or serious fan/collector, this is a true must have. If you are on a tight budget, or think the standard cd sounds good enough, don't bother. The cd also features re-packaging just like the original album (right down to the original megaforce records label in the upper right hand side of the back cover), though the differences are minimal from the standard issue cd, but noteworthy to the serious fan. I can only hope and pray that the horrendously recorded "And Justice For All" receives a similar treatment in the very near future.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Metal August 21, 2000

By Spank Master 5000

Format:Audio CD

First, I must say that "Ride the Lightning" is one of the best heavy metal albums ever released. The songs are incredible, the song writing is untouchable, and the lead guitar work is masterful.

The standard issue Elektra Records version of Ride the Lightning WAS remastered by Elektra technicians back in 1995. However, after being remastered, the album seemed a lot less heavy and there seemed to be a "jagginess" so to speak in the overall sound. But this isn't really noticable until you hear the near-perfect remaster by DCC.

The difference between this and the standard issue CD is the overall sound of the music. The music now sounds like it was recorded especially for CD (which cannot be said for the Elektra version). The sound seems more polished and eliminates most of the "jagginess" in the sound, and the dynamics are accentuated perfectly. For example, the intro solo in Fade To Black now really blends together and sounds like it should - Kirk's guitar work dynamically interlacing with the acoustic guitar (in the standard CD, the intro solo seemed detached somewhat). These things may not mean much to most people, but to me it makes listening to the album more enjoyable. Highly recommended if you have the money.