Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984, by the independent record label Megaforce Records. The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The artwork, based on a concept by the band, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band logo. The title was taken from a passage in Stephen King's novel The Stand.
Ride the Lightning is considered one of Metallica's most important and influential albums. It marked a significant departure from their debut album, Kill 'Em All, with a more complex and progressive sound. The album's lyrics also dealt with a wider range of topics, including war, politics, and social issues.
Ride the Lightning was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 100 on the Billboard 200 chart. It has since been certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album has been praised for its songwriting, musicianship, and production, and is considered a landmark release in the history of heavy metal.
| Original Release: 1984. |
| Catalog No: BLCKND004R-2. |
| Type: Digipack. |