Artist: METALLICA
Album: RIDE THE LIGHTNING (CD)

Release date: 1984
EAN/UPS: 042283814028
Media type: CD

In January 1984 Music For Nations issued 'Jump In The Fire' as a 12" single, backing it with supposedly live versions of 'Seek And Destroy' and 'Phantom Lord'. Both these tracks were actually re-recorded in the studio, MFN dubbing on applause from a London Marquee Club performance by Prog Rock band TWELFTH NIGHT. The group set out on tour to support the 'Kill 'Em All' album, eventually making it over to Britain.

Originally the group had been booked to play through Europe between March 21 to April 3 on a three band bill with Canadian power trio EXCITER and fellow American outfit THE RODS. Unfortunately, ticket sales were mysteriously poor and the tour scrapped. Nevertheless, the group arrived in London and put in two headlining stints at the Marquee Club during late March, their very first UK gig supported by SAVAGE, as well as an earlier appearance at the 'Aardschok Festival' in Holland for good measure whilst on a tour of the continent with Newcastle upon Tyne proto-Black Metallers VENOM. In June further European gigs followed as guests to TWISTED SISTER. Following these shows, METALLICA moved up to Ulrich's native Denmark to begin work on their second album with producer Flemming Rasmussen, a man who had engineered on RAINBOW's 'Difficult To Cure' album in 1983. The band had specifically wanted to record in Europe and had apparently been impressed with Rasmussen's work on the RAINBOW album. Quite incredibly, what was to be one of Rock music's undoubted landmark albums was assembled on mainly borrowed amps and instrumentation, as just prior to leaving the USA METALLICA had all their gear stolen.

A brand new METALLICA album, entitled 'Ride The Lightning', was recorded in a month and a half at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen. Rasmussen recalled in a later magazine interview that the band were earnestly shopping for a major deal whilst in the throes of recording. At one point it looked highly likely that Bronze Records would sign the group until the label insisted that the band should scrap what they were doing and re-record the album in Britain. METALLICA, needless to say, refused.

'Ride The Lightning' was released in July 1984. Initial copies issued by Music For Nations in the UK, Megaforce in the USA and Banzai in Canada all sported the track 'For Whom The Bell Tolls' incorrectly spelt with "bells". Without any compromise in METALLICA's trademark ferocity the songs also were more accessible than previous efforts and was the first real step in infusing METALLICA's sound into the mainstream Rock audience. The accompanying single 'Creeping Death' was bolstered with two caustic cover versions of BLITZKRIEG's 'Blitzkrieg' and DIAMOND HEAD's 'Am I Evil'. Such was the impression made by these songs they would stay lodged in the band's live set for many years.

METALLICA's 1984 European tour was dealt a hammer blow that nearly curtailed the event. Whilst waiting for shipment, $40'000 of the band's equipment was stolen in Boston necessitating hasty negotiations to hire replacement gear.

With the band's burgeoning cult following rapidly spilling over into mainstream success major label Elektra were quick to buy out the Megaforce contract. This despite Megaforce having already shipped albums to the American stores and selling sufficient quantity to crack the Billboard top 200.

Elektra pulled out all the stops in promoting 'Ride The Lightning' maintaining sales levels as it was revealed that not only had METALLICA severed connections with Megaforce Records but also Johnny Z as manager. From now on the experienced Q Prime organisation of Peter Mensch and Cliff Burnstein, noted for successes with AC/DC and DEF LEPPARD, would handle their affairs.

TRACKLIST:

1. Fight Fire With Fire
2. Ride The Lightning
3. For Whom The Bell Tolls
4. Fade To Black
5. Trapped Under Ice
6. Escape
7. Creeping Death
8. The Call Of Ktulu

LINE-UP:

James Hetfield (vocals/ guitar)
Kirk Hammett (guitar)
Cliff Burton (bass)
Lars Ulrich (drums)