UAWIL #188: Metallica - Ride The LIghtning

The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast

In the summer of 1984, Metallica were not yet the Metal Gods and household names they are now. They were a band with one record under their belt (Kill Em All, hear UAWIL #138 for our review with The Hook Rocks Jay Scott), some experience playing bigger stages as an opening act and a small but loyal following. However, their US record company didn't have the money to pay for a new album so James, Kirk, Cliff and Lars traveled to Copenhagen and crashed in the studio as producer Fleming Rasmussen helped them pull together what would become their 2nd album, Ride The Lightning. As the album turns 40, we reminisce about how we came to know this metal classic, relive hearing them play (most) of the album live and debate if this is indeed ther best ever (Master Of Puppets is neck and neck according to us).

We can really hear the progress on Ride The Lightning vs. the 1st album as the songs are tight with more complexity yet more melodic. And while the lyrics are very intelligent and clear, they deal with very heavy topics like nuclear war (Fight Fire With Fire), suicide (Fade To Black), ancient plagues (Creeping Death) and the horrors of war (For Whom The Bell Tolls). Cliff Burton's psychedelic wah-wah bass is not only unique but a driver of the melody that is inherent in these thrash classics. James Hetfield's powerful riffs are among the best he's ever recorded and provides that steady crunch against which Kirk Hammett can lay everything from frantic solos to trippy fills. This album remains #1 in the heart one of your hosts from the Metallica catalog - the other is on the fence. It's hard to believe Ride The Lightning turns 40 on July 27, 2024 but we love this one and had fun going track by track.

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