RIDE THE LIGHTNING

Great to see 'Tallica here on the archives! It might even give me more of an incentive to buy some more of their albums. Ride the Lightning is a superb example of thrash metal with a slightly progressive twist. The poduction is good, leaving a raw edge to the band's sound.

Fight Fire With Fire starts with a quiet acoustic intro, a trick that Metallica will repeat a lot. This soon turns into a full- blown thrash song, and a fast one too. Ride the Lightning is an intense and heavy song about the thoughts of a man condemned to the electric chair. For Whom the Bell Tolls stands as a great composition and remains one of Metallica's most well-crafted - and best - songs. Fade to Black is the bands first stab at a ballad, and a good one, growing in intensity as the song progresses. Trapped Under Ice is a slight drop in quality, as is Escape, but both songs are above average. Creeping Death is one of Metallica's masterpieces with an excellent solo by Hammet. Call of Ktulu is the most progressive track on the album, being a semi-symphonic lengthy instrumental. Great stuff.

A good album for anybody who apreciates heavy metal, but not for the average prog fan. A very well deserved four stars.