Wiki
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Release Date
27 June 1984
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Length
8 tracks
Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by thrash metal band Metallica, released on July 27th, 1984, through Megaforce Records. It was re-released in the same year on November 19th by Elektra records. In the United States alone, "Ride the Lightning" has sold over 5 million copies.
Ride the Lightning is often hailed by fans as a classic of the thrash metal genre and a vital bridge between the band's albums Kill 'Em All and Master of Puppets, pushing the thrash metal of the debut into progressive territory more fully-realized on Master of Puppets and …And Justice for All.
Ride the Lightning retains the speed of Kill 'Em All on songs like "Trapped Under Ice" and "Fight Fire with Fire," but also contains the first of Metallica's longer, more intricate tracks, such as "Fade to Black" and the nearly 9-minute closing instrumental "The Call of Ktulu." Ride the Lightning is the last Metallica album to credit former guitarist Dave Mustaine.
Ride the Lightning was listed at #3 on a list compiled by metal-rules.com of the Top 100 Metal Albums of All Time and #5 by IGN Music on the Top 25 Metal Albums.
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