Metallica: Ride The Lightning - Ranking Every Song Worst To Best

5. Ride The Lightning

Heralded by its clarion-call intro and subsequently bloodied with a muscular precision, the title track of the group's sophomore effort brings with it some of the Danish chill from where it was recorded in Copenhagen, with its tale of a man anticipating execution in the electric chair rendered with pugilistic power.

One of two tracks from the album to credit former guitarist Dave Mustaine for its riffs, Hetfield overlaid his guitar work multiple times live in the studio to create the particular wall of sound burst that drives it to electrifying heights, pun notwithstanding. It has an almost clipped, symphonic edge to it that feels magnificently grandiose.

Along with Fight Fire with Fire, it was later folded into a live medley on stage that also featured tracks from Kill 'Em All, during the Poor Touring Me era of the band - though in subsequent years, it has returned outright as something of a rotational favourite during performances, most recently on the WorldWired Tour.

In this post: 
Metallica
 
Posted On: 
Contributor

Something of a culture vulture, Mr Steel can historically be found in three places; the local cinema, the local stadium or the local chip shop. He is an avowed fan of franchise films, amateur cricket and power-chords.