Tracklist
| Fight Fire With Fire | 4:44 | ||
| Ride The Lightning | 6:36 | ||
| For Whom The Bell Tolls | 5:10 | ||
| Fade To Black | 6:56 | ||
| Trapped Under Ice | 4:03 | ||
| Escape | 4:23 | ||
| Creeping Death | 6:36 | ||
| The Call Of Ktulu | 8:52 |
Credits (26)
Cliff BurtonBass
MetallicaCover [Concept]- Ad ArtistsDesign [Cover]
Lars UlrichDrums
Flemming RasmussenEngineer
Mark WhitakerEngineer [Concert Sound], Management [Production Manager]
Notes
Released July 27, 1984
Guitar, Vocals: James Hetfield
Drums: Lars Ulrich
Bass: Cliff Burton
Guitar: Kirk Hammett
Produced by Metallica
Assisted by Flemming Rasmussen & Mark Whitaker
Engineered by Flemming Rasmussen
Recorded & Mixed at Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark — Spring 1984
Mastered by Tom Coyne
Remastered by Bob Ludwig (1984)
Remastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York, NY (1995)
Remastered by Howie Weinberg at Howie Weinberg Mastering, Los Angeles, CA (2016)
Cover Concept: Metallica
Cover Design: Ad Artists
Photographers: Peter Cronin (Lars/Back Cover), Rick Brackett (Kirk/Back Cover & James/Back Cover), Harald O (Cliff/Back Cover), Fin Costello (B&W Group), Anthony D. Sommella (Live Pix Group), Robert Hoetink (Dressing Room)
Management: Q Prime, Inc.
All songs © 1984 Creeping Death Music (Global Music Rights)
℗ & © 1984 Blackened Recordings
Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica.
Originally released by Megaforce.
Two months after its release, Elektra Records signed Metallica to a multi-year deal and reissued the album.
The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The overall recording costs were paid by Metallica's European label Music for Nations because Megaforce was unable to cover it.
The artwork, based on a concept by the band, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band logo.
Title was taken from a passage in Stephen King's novel "The Stand"
Although rooted in the thrash metal genre, the album showcased the band's musical growth and lyrical sophistication. This was partly because bassist Cliff Burton introduced the basics of music theory to the rest of the band and had more input in the songwriting. Instead of relying heavily on fast tempos as on its debut Kill 'Em All, Metallica broadened its approach by employing acoustic guitars, extended instrumentals, and more complex harmonies.
It is the last album to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and the first to feature contributions from his replacement, 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. Ride the Lightning peaked at number 100 on the Billboard 200 with 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 Recording Industry Association of America (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.
Main runouts of the 1984 vinyl pressings per country.
US
MRI-769
MRI 769
ST-E-60396-1-A-AR / ST-E-60396-1-B-AR (Allied Pressing)
ST-E60396-1-A-SP / ST-E60396-1-B-SP (Specialty Pressing)
UK
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A1 ty
France
MPO MU SB 18026
MPO MU SB 18026
MPO MU SB 18026
Japan
K25P-501
K25P - 501A 121 ❇
Canada
BRC-1909A THIS SNB 230 EL DM 18
BRC-1909A THIS SNB 230 EL DM 18
EU
RR 9848 - A 55235
Finland
MFN-27 A MTV-MB
South Korea
MRI-769-A ▻
Guitar, Vocals: James Hetfield
Drums: Lars Ulrich
Bass: Cliff Burton
Guitar: Kirk Hammett
Produced by Metallica
Assisted by Flemming Rasmussen & Mark Whitaker
Engineered by Flemming Rasmussen
Recorded & Mixed at Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark — Spring 1984
Mastered by Tom Coyne
Remastered by Bob Ludwig (1984)
Remastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York, NY (1995)
Remastered by Howie Weinberg at Howie Weinberg Mastering, Los Angeles, CA (2016)
Cover Concept: Metallica
Cover Design: Ad Artists
Photographers: Peter Cronin (Lars/Back Cover), Rick Brackett (Kirk/Back Cover & James/Back Cover), Harald O (Cliff/Back Cover), Fin Costello (B&W Group), Anthony D. Sommella (Live Pix Group), Robert Hoetink (Dressing Room)
Management: Q Prime, Inc.
All songs © 1984 Creeping Death Music (Global Music Rights)
℗ & © 1984 Blackened Recordings
Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica.
Originally released by Megaforce.
Two months after its release, Elektra Records signed Metallica to a multi-year deal and reissued the album.
The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The overall recording costs were paid by Metallica's European label Music for Nations because Megaforce was unable to cover it.
The artwork, based on a concept by the band, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band logo.
Title was taken from a passage in Stephen King's novel "The Stand"
Although rooted in the thrash metal genre, the album showcased the band's musical growth and lyrical sophistication. This was partly because bassist Cliff Burton introduced the basics of music theory to the rest of the band and had more input in the songwriting. Instead of relying heavily on fast tempos as on its debut Kill 'Em All, Metallica broadened its approach by employing acoustic guitars, extended instrumentals, and more complex harmonies.
It is the last album to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and the first to feature contributions from his replacement, 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. Ride the Lightning peaked at number 100 on the Billboard 200 with 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 Recording Industry Association of America (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.
Main runouts of the 1984 vinyl pressings per country.
US
MRI-769
MRI 769
ST-E-60396-1-A-AR / ST-E-60396-1-B-AR (Allied Pressing)
ST-E60396-1-A-SP / ST-E60396-1-B-SP (Specialty Pressing)
UK
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A¹ TY
MPO MFN 27 A1 ty
France
MPO MU SB 18026
MPO MU SB 18026
MPO MU SB 18026
Japan
K25P-501
K25P - 501A 121 ❇
Canada
BRC-1909A THIS SNB 230 EL DM 18
BRC-1909A THIS SNB 230 EL DM 18
EU
RR 9848 - A 55235
Finland
MFN-27 A MTV-MB
South Korea
MRI-769-A ▻
Versions
Filter by
559 versions
| Image | , | – | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Version Details | Data Quality | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Roadrunner Records – RR 9848 | Europe | 1984 | Europe — 1984 | ||||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Megaforce Records – MRI 769 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Specialty Pressing | Elektra – 9 60396-1, Megaforce Records, Inc. – 9 60396-1, Elektra – 60396-1, Megaforce Records, Inc. – 60396-1 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, White Label | Banzai Records – BRC 1909 | Canada | 1984 | Canada — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Music For Nations – MFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album | Music For Nations – T MFN 27, Music For Nations – TMFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Music For Nations – MFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Bernett Records – SB 18026, Music For Nations – SB 18026 | France | 1984 | France — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Nexus International – K25P 501, Nexus International – K25P-501, Nexus (3) – K25P 501 | Japan | 1984 | Japan — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Music For Nations – MFN 27 | Finland | 1984 | Finland — 1984 | ||||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, SR | Elektra – 9 60396-4, Elektra – 60396-4 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, Green Cover | Bernett Records – SB 18526 | France | 1984 | France — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, SP - Specialty Pressing | Elektra – 60396-1 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Test Pressing | Music For Nations – MFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, Club Edition | Elektra – E4 60396 | Canada | 1984 | Canada — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, SR, White Shell, 11 Markers | Elektra – 9 60396-4, Elektra – 60396-4 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label | Music For Nations – MFN-27 | Finland | 1984 | Finland — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album | Megaforce Records – MRIT-769 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album | Banzai Records – BRC4 1909 | Canada | 1984 | Canada — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Promo | Nexus (3) – K25P 501 | Japan | 1984 | Japan — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, Club Edition, Columbia House | Elektra – E4 60396, Megaforce Worldwide – 60396-4 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Test Pressing | Megaforce Records – MRI 769 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Black Label | Banzai Records – BRC 1909 | Canada | 1984 | Canada — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Unofficial Release | Elektra (2) – 60396-1 | South Korea | 1984 | South Korea — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Reissue, Allied | Elektra – 60396-1, Elektra – 9 60396-1 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | ||||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, W-99 | Elektra – 9 60396-4, Elektra – 60396-4 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | Needs Changes | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album | Music For Nations – TMFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, Stereo, AR, Dolby HX Pro | Elektra – 9 60396-4, Elektra – 60396-4, Megaforce Records – 9 60396-4 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Megaforce Records – MRI 769 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
| Ride The Lightning LP, Album, White Label | Music For Nations – MFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | New Submission | ||||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, Club Edition, SR | Elektra – E4 60396, Megaforce Worldwide – 60396-4 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, Dolby System | Vertigo – 838140-4 | Uruguay | 1984 | Uruguay — 1984 | Recently Edited | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, AR Pressing | Elektra – 60396-1, Elektra – 9 60396-1 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Nexus International – K25P 501, Nexus International – K25P-501, Nexus (3) – K25P 501 | Japan | 1984 | Japan — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album | Music For Nations – TMFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album, Club Edition, Clear Tape | Elektra – E4 60396, Megaforce Worldwide – 60396-4 | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Acetate, LP, Single Sided, Album | Elektra – none | US | 1984 | US — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Music For Nations – MFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning LP, Album | Music For Nations – MFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | New Submission | |||
 | Ride The Lightning Cassette, Album | Music For Nations – T MFN 27, Music For Nations – TMFN 27 | UK | 1984 | UK — 1984 | New Submission |
Recommendations
Reviews
Anyone know this difference between this release and this one? https://www.discogs.com/release/26018743-Metallica-Ride-The-Lightning- anyone know the difference between this entry and this one? https://www.discogs.com/release/26218865-Metallica-Ride-The-Lightning
- If interested I have a copy for sale. Please reach out for more information.
I had this release. Bought on Amazon in 2008 for $14, got rid of it for $5. Everything is bad about it - the "half speed remaster" sounds like your speakers are covered with the blaknet. The quality of the printing of the cover, insert, labels is bad too. Bad color rendering, blurry, no halftones, missing details.
The best version of this album? Absolutely not.
Better than all Warner, Universal and Blackened reissues? Yes, no doubt about it.
9/10 only beaten by European and Usa original issues 84 to 87
I bought my copy back in 2021 and just pulled it out for a listen. I forgot how fckn bada$$ this thing sounded! They did a really nice job on this one. Glad to have it in my collection.
Edited one month agoAre the channels really swapped on this specific "Mastered By Nimbus" CD?
I compared 21 CD & vinyl pressings that contain Creeping Death, and out of them 17 versions have the intro guitar on the Left channel. It should be safe to assume it should be on Left channel, as 1984 Music For Nations & 1984 Elektra LPs (safe bets) have it on left too
1. https://ibb.co/GMbCPvD (LPs pt. 1)
2. https://ibb.co/2Ft43bj (LPs pt. 2)
3. https://ibb.co/VTcgYwV (CDs)
Out of these 21, only 2 CDs intro guitar on right channel:
· 1987 Music For Nations, pressed by MPO (not Nimbus)
· 1990 Vertigo CD Compilation with JITR (pressed by PDO)
And only 2 LPs have intro guitar on right channel:
· 1984 Bernett (Music For Nations licensee), France, pressed by MPO
· 1990 Vertigo LP Compilation with JITR (pressed by PDO)
Also, over the reversed channels, the Nimbus one is slightly out of phase against other pressings, and has inverted waveforms : https://ibb.co/v4vk1Mn
This explains why the MPO is low end-y, dark, while the Nimbus is bright and just the opposite overall. But even if you try to readjust the two, and revert the inverted Nimbus waveforms, differences can be noticed.
Either some people have the MPO-pressed CD and commented wrongly under this Nimbus-pressed CD release page, either there are more than 1 glass master for this CD, that would also have reversed channels.
Curious to get more comments from people who *actually* own this - my Nimbus reference for this CD is the one with the red title (Ride The Lightning) with the same matrix runouts as this one, and it does NOT have reversed channels.- This 45RPM issue beats the Sterling HW US first press and the EU vertigo DMM press. Absolutely massive. Can't say the same for the 45 MFN kill em all reissue. That one is shrill.
- The spine of the cassette is supposed to have green letterings, it's only blue on the copies on which spines were exposed to sunlight and suffered UV damage / discoloration
referencing Ride The Lightning (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Blue Splatter) BLCKND004R-1
Sounds just as good as the normal 180g black vinyl pressing that you can buy for $25. Happy to have snagged a what seems to be sought after variant of this album! 🤘
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