Metallica - Ride the Lightning
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Free Music Notes for Ride the Lightning
Free Music Review: Their first album in their progressive metal trilogy of the 1980s, this is where Metallica truly mature as musicians.
Hit: 5 Stars
RIDE THE LIGHTENING, Metallica's second album, is notable for its musical direction, combining thrash metal with more symphonic, and much more complex, songwriting than previously seen in metal music.
When Metallica recorded their debut, Kill 'Em All, the record was brutal, fast, and noholds barred. The music barrels ahead, and there isn't nearly as many different instrumental subtetlies and flourishes that Metallica would later use to adorn their music with. Instead, the focus was to play the music as loud, and as fast, as humanly possible. They sounded rather like their contemporaries in drawing from the same overall musical milieu. A lot of bands from NWOBHM ("New Wave of British Heavy Metal") were covering a lot of the same territory, such as Black Sabbath, Diamond Head, Iron Maiden, Venom, Motorhead, early Def Leppard (think On Through the Night, their 1980 album, not their hair metal stuff), Saxon and other bands considered part of that movement..
Beginning with this record, and culminating in ... AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, Metallica changed their approach. Still retaining the aggression and attitude of punk, mixed with the loud, bone-crunching amalgamation heavy metal sound popularized the major bands of NWOBHM then put in progressive songwriting that owes as much to classical music as pop or rock or traditional heavy metal, and you have a good idea of what RIDE THE LIGTHENING, Master of Puppets, and ...And Justice For All sounds like. Those three records are what I call their progressive metal trilogy; with each album their song writing got more complex and more symphonic.
As much as I like KILL `EM ALL, this is the album in which Metallica really comes into their own. While KILL `EM ALL has some very strong songwriting, they don't display the same complexity and melodic integrity as they do on this record.All over we see Metallica opening their sound up.
"Fire with Fire": The soft intro to "Battery" from MASTER feels like a nod to the great acoustic intro to the opening track, "Fire for Fire". After the mellow intro, the band kicks the song into high gear. This shift is clear evidence the band is mastering different dynamics and integrating shifting tempos into a coherent song structure, and they're not just brutally fast like KILL `EM ALL.
"Ride the Lightening" is one of Metallica's more epic compositions. Lyrically the song sets up themes of being powerless in a hostile situation, a theme Hetfield would often return too.
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" deals with the futility of war, another theme the and would revisit on both MASTER and JUSTICE, and is titled after the Earnest Hemingway novel. One of the band's more famous early songs. The intro is pretty long, at over two minutes before Hetfield starts singing.
"Fade to Black" is notable as it is the first ballad ever commercially released by the band. [Just because they were labeled sell outs during the load era doesn't mean it diddn't happen fore then.] Those people who hate LOAD and RELOAD should take note that accusations that Metallica sold out first surfaced with this very song, due to how much of a departure this was for the band's clearly established sound. Now, however, most fans and critics, as well as the band itself, considered this one of Metallica's great songs. The song is very much a study in dynamics, and while it is primarily a slower ballad, Metallica works in some heavy passages in the song as well. The song deals mainly with death, and is considered a "suicide classic". This is one of Metallica's most important songs, as it showed the band's fan base there was a lot more to the band than just mind numbingly fast thrash.
"Trapped Under Ice" has some killer chorus work and interesting lyrics. Musically it's very solid as well. The song has some absolutely intense guitar work. Probably the second weakest song though, next to "Escape." Metallica has only performed the song four times live.
"Escape" is one of the few songs the band has never played live. Written as filler because they didn't have enough songs for the album, the band has pretty much disavowed the song. While I don't know why the band hates it that much, it is true that this is easily the weakest song on the entire album, though not necessarily bad par se. It's just the other songs are that good.
"Creeping Death", written from the point of view of the angel of death coming to kill all the first born in Egypt, remains one of the band's principal early epics, and is still one of their most frequently played songs. Drawing their inspiration from the movie THE TEND COMMANDMENTS, Cliff Burton made the observation that the plague of the first born was like creeping death, and the band wanted to use it for a title they liked it so much. One of the band's most famous of their early songs, this one's an undeniable thrash classic.
And last, but definitely not least, is "The Call of Ktula". The second instrumental released by the band (after Anethestia, Pulling Teeth from KILL `EM ALL), this is the last song primarily written by David Mustaine of Megadeath fame that Metallica would record. Originally entitled "When Hell Freezes Over", Cliff Burton had the song renamed, because he was a H. P. Lovecraft fan and was referencing THE CALL OF CTHULHU. Megadeath actually uses the chords for their song "Hanger 18". Discounting the two covers "Tuesday's Gone" and "Mercyful Fate" it's the band's fourth longest recording, and the longest song on RIDE THE LIGHTENING. For my money, this is one of my favorite Metallica songs, and when I really started listening to this album in the late 1990s, this was the song I would play over and over. It's much better than MASTER's instrumental "Orion". Absolutely brilliant, even if Mustaine did write it.
Overall, this is the album that would set Metallica on the artistic path they would follow for the rest of the 1980s. This is the album they became truly progressive. If it weren't for "Escape", this could arguably be one of their top albums; as it stands, this is still one of Metallica's best records, just only slightly flawed for the inclusion of "Escape". And it's important that while hair metal and spandex were giving metal a bad name, bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden were still keeping the hardcore music close to its roots. Hair metal and glam/pop is rather dated. It's too Metallica's credit that their albums stand up as well as they do and aren't dated at all, given they were, recorded in that same era of Def Leppard, Poison (damn Brett Michaels), Ratt, Slaughter, Warrant, Stryper, Europe, Journey, and other rather ridiculous bands were doing commercial hair metal and power ballads.
Free Music Review: Prime Candidate for Metallica's Greatest
Hit: 5 Stars
Most fans will agree that Metallica's first four albums are all stellar examples of metal's ingenuity and potential to transcend the trashy image associated with it and actually identify as art. Kill 'Em All is relentlessly thrashy and admittedly on the immature side, but still features innovation and intense musicianship which makes it stand out as a milestone of the 80's metal movement. Master of Puppets is a more commercial work which features thematically complex material, extended, powerful songs with solid songwriting, and some of the band's more famous material. ...And Justice For All is certainly their most complex and accomplished musically, with even longer and more intricate compositions than earlier in the band's discography, and also some of the most evocative and dark subject matter of any Metallica album. Nevertheless, after much listening and admiration, this listener arrives at Ride The Lightning as his favorite Metallica album.
For me, Ride the Lightning is the most balanced and appealing of all Metallica albums--I'm open to any difference of opinion, but I feel that my views are well-justified. Each song here is wonderful in its own way without drawing too much attention to itself, the collection of songs working together as a unified whole without seeming lofty and overwrought (I would argue that both Master of Puppets and Justice fall for this temptation of overindulgence without adequate focus--great albums as they both are).
Fight Fire With Fire kicks the album off in concise, expert fashion with a pleasant and neat sounding introduction that erupts into a thrashing, rather overwhelming "body." The lyrics and riffs are all very evocative, with a thrash aesthetic that is simultaneously thoughtful and intelligent. As others have noted, there is somewhat of a "thread" of continuity between early Metallica albums, and this song is comparable in many ways to MOP's Battery, Justice's Blackened, and Kill 'Em All's Hit The Lights. Basically, it kick-starts the album and prepares listeners for the aural assault to come.
The title track comes next, and it is certainly one of the better songs on the album, with thematic content surrounding death (specifically The Electric Chair) and a thrashing, overwhelming execution (no pun intended) that will satisfy just about any fan. This song "mirrors" the other title tracks from Master of Puppets and ...And Justice For All--both of which are amazing pieces of metal songwriting.
For Whom The Bell Tolls is another amazing track. It fills the role of a heavy, somewhat slow moving but nevertheless rocking mini-epic, out of which Metallica would go on to shape "The Thing That Should Not Be" and arguably "Eye of the Beholder," too. If you ask me, though, For Whom The Bell Tolls is significantly more well-crafted than either of those subsequent works.
Fade to Black is the prototypical "power ballad" Metallica style, maybe in its least melodramatic and unrefined form, which is a good thing. Whether "One" from And Justice For All or "(Welcome Home) Sanitarium" from Master of Puppets is the better out of these three is all a matter of personal opinion--it still stands that Fade to Black is an incredible, rather depressing song about suicide which has everything one would expect from a lower, more heartfelt metallic rocker. It builds upon itself in a very progressive way and reaches a climax that is simultaneously relieving and disturbing. There's a reason why this song still receives airplay and frequent referencing by fans. It's awesome.
Trapped Under Ice comes next, which is a more straightforward but still jarring and intense piece of metal. It's fast and thrashy, with themes of psychological alienation and depression. It carries with it a strong sense of anxiety and intensity that isn't present in some of Metallic's slower-paced songs. Not my favorite on the album, but I'm glad it is here and it fulfills its role nicely.
Escape contrasts with Trapped Under Ice, chugging along rather than churning, and is generally a less-insane, but nevertheless very heavy number that could easily find a place on the radio or other more "mainstream" musical outlets. It's a fairly underrated Metallica song as it doesn't receive as much recognition as some others on this album, but it is nearly at the level of "Creeping Death" and "Fade to Black" in its solid construction.
Speaking of Creeping Death, the penultimate song on the album is generally considered among the band's most admirable efforts, and with good reason. The musicianship is painstakingly precise, but also groovy and organic. There is a strong sense of pulse and the lyrical content of religious and mythological history (more specifically the story of Moses and the "Creeping Death" which fell across the Pharaos). The chorus is terribly catchy and anthemic, and just keeps coming back at wonderful times. For me, it's one of the most infectious and propulsive of all Metallica songs--one gets the sense that the song really is akin and comparable to the Creeping Death that fell across the land in biblical times--one couldn't stop it even if one chose to. The band all seem very involved and passionate during this song, and it also features amazing solos and complex rhythmic thrashing on Cliff Burton, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett's parts--the song's climax and middle sections are both amazing, as is the entire song. This is probably my favorite song on here, and among my top Five Metallica songs of all time.
The Call of Kthulu is another delightful piece of epic metal, this time sans vocals, but with an even greater sense of mysticism and eerie melodrama than the legendary epic quality of Creeping Death. The subject matter this time is the H.P. Lovecraft tale of the same name, which is a highly imaginative, romantic-gothic-monster-horror story. The song is appropriately fantastical and ominous, with a very expansive, unhinged sound that obviously inspired later instrumental efforts "Orion" and "To Live is to Die." Orion seems to receive more recognition as Metallica's greatest instrumental, but I think that The Call of Kthulu is every bit as important and satisfying. It's lengthy without feeling excessively slow, and never seems to drag or repeat itself unnecessarily, even though the song as a whole is composed of a few key elements which are repeated, morphed and built upon. The ending is especially triumphant and bombastic. A stellar closer to a great album--indeed, likely Metallica's most focused, concise and balanced work...personal opinions aside :)
Free Music Review: Wow!
Hit: 5 Stars
In my humble opinion, this is Metallica's greatest pre-Black Album album. A lot of people say it's Master of Puppets, but I personally think this one is better.Here are the pros and cons(and takes):
Pros:
* This album shows the versatility of Metallica, when they were 22-23-year-old! Anti-war epics, ballads and instrumental work aren't something you hear a lot from young rockers.
* Contains an excellent set of songs. Here are some quick takes:
-"Fight Fire with Fire": the albums opening track is definitely Metallica's fastest song, and probably the fastest song of all time (mainly the rhythm guitar). James plays Rhythm guitar with his usual good taste and flawless accuracy, but this time, it's way faster. Whoever thought that he could outdo any song on "Kill'em All"? Like, did anyone think that, say, "Metal Militia" or "Whiplash" could've been beaten? Not me, and I was proven to be a million miles away from being correct.
Folks: you have to hear the songs yourselves to know what I'm talking about. And believe it or not, as if the awesome speed of the song wasn't enough, Jaymz plays even faster at the chorus! Wow!
Totally awesome thrasher.I give this an 7 out of 10.
-"Ride the Lightning": the album's title track is an anti-Capital punishment epic. A lot of people say the song ain't that much, I disagree a little. While the melody of the vocals was inconsistent at times, over all, the song featured some amazing instrumental work. For instance, listen to James' guitar after the second chorus, and you can't help but admire the amazing speed. The intro is excellent, and it gets much better after several seconds.
I give it a 4.
-"For Whom the Bell Tolls": well well well! Here, the REAL Metallica starts to shine! If this song isn't great, then I don't know what to call it.
Let's take'em one by one: the lyrics show staggeringly beautiful poetry and balance, which makes it one of Metallica's best lyrics to date. The rhythm guitar(played by vocalist/songwriter James Allan Hetfield, for those who don't know) features one of Metallica's most powerful riffs(if you count Metallica's powerful riffs, you will never finish), and its tune is awesome and REALLY memorable. As for Hammett, while he didn't do one of his usual right-after-the-second-chorus-solos, he did participate with a memorable riff at the beginning and between choruses. As for the bass, well! Let me just say that the bass is THE most memorable part and definitely Metallica's greatest bass work so far(here it's done by ex-bassist Cliff Burton who died later, but the bass is done later much better by Jason Newsted, the current headbanging bassist). As for Lars, what could I say about this drum legend? Everything Lars does is absolutely amazing. I've yet to hear someone who drums better than him. His use of drums and percussions in this particular song is extremely powerful and very well-timed.
Any music fan will love this song. Take my word on that. I give it an easy 10.
-"Fade to Black": Metallica's first ballad. Not bad. Good Hammett solo. Some fast rhythm riffs by James. Fine lyrics. The first 20 or so seconds are my favorite part of the song, where they show mingling of the two guitars. However, if you want Metallica's best pre-Black album ballad, listen to the album "Master of Puppets'" "Sanitarium". For Metallica's finest ballad, listen to "Nothing Else Matters" on the Black Album.
I give this a 5.
-"Trapped Under Ice" and "Escape": to me, they sound like fillers.
-"Creeping Death": do I really need to say anything about this particular song? I bet you've heard it or at least heard about it endlessly. It's one of Metallica's all time greatest songs, featuring what I consider guitarist Kirk Hammett's finest solo to date. The lyrics are just so cool, and James' rhythm guitar riffs are totally delicious. Lars, as always, shines, with his flawless timing, very powerful drums(definitely the heaviest drums and percussion I've had the pleasure to experience) and spectacular use of percussion.
This song is one of the fans'(and definitely the band's) favorite songs in concerts. It features one of the greatest moments in heavy metal history: the part of the song right after Hammett's solo(starts there, and ends with the last "killing firsborn man"). This part is mind-blowingly powerful and amazingly enjoyable. If you are a regular music fan, you will feel sheer joy listening to that specific part. If you are a heavy metal fan, you will get what I call a musical orgasm. You don't have to believe me; just listen to the song and wait for the solo, then when the solo ends, pay attention.
Cliff's bass at the end adds more depth and life to the song. It's kinda sad. I don't know why, but the bass just sounds sad. It sounds like a part that would be played when someone dies. It's very beautiful though.
It gets a 10.
-"The Call of Ktulu": Metallica's first instrumental(lets not count "Kill'em All"'s "Pulling Teeth (Anesthesia)", since it was mainly bass) is a musical masterpiece that shocked me. What shocked me is how could a young rock band have so much depth? I could understand it if they did it now, but way early?
Anyway, this stunning piece of art has only one flaw: it's a little too long.
I give it a 6.
Bottom Line:
-For regular music fans, you might like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Fade to Black". The other songs are a little too heavy to be enjoyed by non-heavy metal fans.
-For heavy metal fans, I highly recommend this album.
-As for Metallica fans, they don't need what I have to say,because they already have this album.
Free Music Review: Metallica...how great could you get?
Hit: 5 Stars
In my humble opinion, this is Metallica's greatest pre-Black Album album. A lot of people say it's Master of Puppets, but I personally think this one is better.Here are the pros and cons(and takes):
Pros:
* This album shows the versatility of Metallica, when they were 22-23-year-old! Anti-war epics, ballads and instrumental work aren't something you hear a lot from young rockers.
* Contains an excellent set of songs. Here are some quick takes:
-"Fight Fire with Fire": the albums opening track is definitely Metallica's fastest song, and probably the fastest song of all time (mainly the rhythm guitar). James plays Rhythm guitar with his usual good taste and flawless accuracy, but this time, it's way faster. Whoever thought that he could outdo any song on "Kill'em All"? Like, did anyone think that, say, "Metal Militia" or "Whiplash" could've been beaten? Not me, and I was proven to be a million miles away from being correct.
Folks: you have to hear the songs yourselves to know what I'm talking about. And believe it or not, as if the awesome speed of the song wasn't enough, Jaymz plays even faster at the chorus! Wow!
Totally awesome thrasher.I give this an 7 out of 10.
-"Ride the Lightning": the album's title track is an anti-Capital punishment epic. A lot of people say the song ain't that much, I disagree a little. While the melody of the vocals was inconsistent at times, over all, the song featured some amazing instrumental work. For instance, listen to James' guitar after the second chorus, and you can't help but admire the amazing speed. The intro is excellent, and it gets much better after several seconds.
I give it a 4.
-"For Whom the Bell Tolls": well well well! Here, the REAL Metallica starts to shine! If this song isn't great, then I don't know what to call it.
Let's take'em one by one: the lyrics show staggeringly beautiful poetry and balance, which makes it one of Metallica's best lyrics to date. The rhythm guitar(played by vocalist/songwriter James Allan Hetfield, for those who don't know) features one of Metallica's most powerful riffs(if you count Metallica's powerful riffs, you will never finish), and its tune is awesome and REALLY memorable. As for Hammett, while he didn't do one of his usual right-after-the-second-chorus-solos, he did participate with a memorable riff at the beginning and between choruses. As for the bass, well! Let me just say that the bass is THE most memorable part and definitely Metallica's greatest bass work so far(here it's done by ex-bassist Cliff Burton who died later, but the bass is done later much better by Jason Newsted, the current headbanging bassist). As for Lars, what could I say about this drum legend? Everything Lars does is absolutely amazing. I've yet to hear someone who drums better than him. His use of drums and percussions in this particular song is extremely powerful and very well-timed.
Any music fan will love this song. Take my word on that. I give it an easy 10.
-"Fade to Black": Metallica's first ballad. Not bad. Good Hammett solo. Some fast rhythm riffs by James. Fine lyrics. The first 20 or so seconds are my favorite part of the song, where they show mingling of the two guitars. However, if you want Metallica's best pre-Black album ballad, listen to the album "Master of Puppets'" "Sanitarium". For Metallica's finest ballad, listen to "Nothing Else Matters" on the Black Album.
I give this a 5.
-"Trapped Under Ice" and "Escape": to me, they sound like fillers.
-"Creeping Death": do I really need to say anything about this particular song? I bet you've heard it or at least heard about it endlessly. It's one of Metallica's all time greatest songs, featuring what I consider guitarist Kirk Hammett's finest solo to date. The lyrics are just so cool, and James' rhythm guitar riffs are totally delicious. Lars, as always, shines, with his flawless timing, very powerful drums(definitely the heaviest drums and percussion I've had the pleasure to experience) and spectacular use of percussion.
This song is one of the fans'(and definitely the band's) favorite songs in concerts. It features one of the greatest moments in heavy metal history: the part of the song right after Hammett's solo(starts there, and ends with the last "killing firsborn man"). This part is mind-blowingly powerful and amazingly enjoyable. If you are a regular music fan, you will feel sheer joy listening to that specific part. If you are a heavy metal fan, you will get what I call a musical orgasm. You don't have to believe me; just listen to the song and wait for the solo, then when the solo ends, pay attention.
Cliff's bass at the end adds more depth and life to the song. It's kinda sad. I don't know why, but the bass just sounds sad. It sounds like a part that would be played when someone dies. It's very beautiful though.
It gets a 10.
-"The Call of Ktulu": Metallica's first instrumental(lets not count "Kill'em All"'s "Pulling Teeth (Anesthesia)", since it was mainly bass) is a musical masterpiece that shocked me. What shocked me is how could a young rock band have so much depth? I could understand it if they did it now, but way early?
Anyway, this stunning piece of art has only one flaw: it's a little too long.
I give it a 6.
Bottom Line:
-For regular music fans, you might like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Fade to Black". The other songs are a little too heavy to be enjoyed by non-heavy metal fans.
-For heavy metal fans, I highly recommend this album.
-As for Metallica fans, they don't need what I have to say,because they already have this album.
Free Music Review: thrash metal at its finest
Hit: 5 Stars
This quite simply is a excellent album. To me it is the second best heavy metal album ever produced and a huge step in the right direction for the band form the album kill em all. Kill em all was a very good album although it was immature and the lyrics on the album do that term justice.
Ride the lightning really changed the heavy metal world, songs like for whom the bell tolls and especially fade to black where songs that had not been heard of in heavy metal yet metallica could dish out songs like this and it is one of the main reasons why they ruled the 80's so much that every band in some sort of way was influenced by metallica.
James sings alot better in this album compared to kill em all, although he still screams and has a high pitched voice it suits the album and no other singer could rip these songs out like james did. James rythum guitar work is brilliant in every song but especially in the title track, ride the lightning, fight fire with fire and creeping death.
Kirk hammetts solos are also brilliant, although not very talented in song writing and writing his own solos kirk hammett could play the heck out of a guitar and his solos are dished out in inch perfection and he truly is an amazing guitarist in this album, his solos on the title track, fight fire with fire and especially creeping death are awesome.
Lars gets better on this album, lars was not a great drummer in the early metallica days although he does a decent job on this album, his highlight is his furious drumming on fight fire with fire and creeping death and he does a pretty good job on trapped under ice.
The highlight of the album is the perfect sound of cliff burtons bass, cliff burton was the best bass player in the world at the time in the heavy metal world if not in any music genre. Cliff practicessed his bass playing 4-6 hours every day and although he was only 22 at the time of ride the lightning his bass playing in songs such as the title track, for whom the bell tolls and especially his lead bass work in the instrumental the call of ktulu are amazing. Cliff shines on the call of ktulu, he truely made bass players come out and take notice of him.
Ride the lightning was a album with dark lyrics and about death but it is an amazing album and 8 tracks of brilliance.
1. Fight fire with fire - 20/20 - madness and complete mayhem sum up this song. It starts off with acoustic guitar and sounds like a country and western song but metallica must of done this so they could really blow you away because once the intro stops this song rips into one of the best and fastest thrash songs ever, ripping solos, lightning fast rythum guitar, super fast bass and lars ulrich must of had smoke coming out of his arms playing this one. Excellent lyrics about the end of the world due to nuclear warfare. brilliant song. the riffs on this song are 100 miles an hour.
2. Ride the lightning - 19.5/20 - This is also a great song about being put to death by electric chair execution. this song stops and changes so many times, beautiful solos and ripping riffs. great song.
3. For whom the bell tolls - 20/20 - This song is my favourite metallica song of all time along with orion(master of puppets), this song is absolutely brilliant. From the sound of the bells to the ripping riffs. The intro is all cliff on his bass guitar, he truely could make his bass sound like lead guitar. the lyrics are about war, the best metallica song ever made, a concert favourite and one hell of a song.
4. Fade to black - 20/20 - This is my second favourite metallica song of all time. This song truely indicates metallicas unique sound. They could get away with songs like this, it starts off slow and rips into a truely classic metal song. kirks solos are brilliant and the lyrics are about suicide and also the band wrote this when there equipment was stolen when touring.
5. Trapped under ice - 18.5/20 - Not one of the most popular metallica songs but still a good song. This is a true thrash metal song and is played at 100 miles an hour. good song although far from there best. the lyrics are about drowning.
6. Escape - 19/20 - This is a song that even the band admitted was not a good song, hence the reason why metallica has never not once played this song in concert. Although i think it is a great song, it has crunching riffs and this song has grown on me after a few listens.
7. Creeping death - 20/20 - One hell of a song, one of my favourite metallica songs and an unbelievable thrash metal song. This song is up there with the song master of puppets, crunching riffs, crazy solos and an unbelievable middle sction where the words "die die" are screamed out. The lyrics in this song are the best metallica lyrics ever, read the lyrics carefully, ill leave that up to you. This song is outstanding simply brilliant.
8. The call of Ktulu - 20/20 - unbelievable. Cliff burtons lead bass in this instrumental are incredible, james ryhtum guitar work is excellent and kirks solos are very very good. All four members of the band combine brilliantly to bring you an instrumental which is only bettered by orion(master of puppets).
Ride the lightning is one hell of a album and a must to any metal head. This album is only just shadowed by master of puppets and to me is the second best heavy metal album ever produced. Once you pick up the cd, the cover tells you alot about the album, death, darkness and fury and it is easily metallicas best album cover. Long live thrash metal