Although rooted in the thrash metal genre, the album showcased the band's musical growth and lyrical sophistication. This was partly because bassist Cliff Burton introduced the basics of music theory to the rest of the band and had more input in the songwriting. Instead of relying heavily on fast tempos as on its debut Kill 'Em All, Metallica broadened its approach by employing acoustic guitars, extended instrumentals, and more complex harmonies. The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The overall recording costs were paid by Metallica's European label Music for Nations because Megaforce was unable to cover it.

Not their best. Make no mistake, this is a great, highly ambitious album that certainly has its moments, but as the follow up to Kill Em All, it is rather underwhelming. Fight Fire With Fire": That acoustic intro belongs on a power metal album, and definitely not the opening to this song. The rest of this song is pure thrash metal, and pretty much the only pure thrash metal song on this album. If the entire album sounded like this, that'd be great, but no. 5/5 It is the last album to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and the first to feature contributions from his replacement, Kirk Hammett.Deluxe box set includes 4LPs/6CDs/1-DVD with bonus book, mini book with handwritten lyrics, and poster set.

The first thing that bothers me with this album is how very few moments of thrash metal are on here, and yeah, at the time this album was made, thrash metal barely existed as a term, let alone had a definition, but a few of the songs barely sound made by the same band that made Kill Em All. I'm convinced that (the songs) "Escape," and "Creeping Death," weren't made by Metallica, but by a symphonic metal band playing speed metal. This is what I mean when I say this album is disappointing compared to Kill Em All, which is an album that I love. Ride the Lightning is an ambitious metal album that tries to do a little too much, and I honestly think Metallica lost their way with this one. Two months after its release, Elektra Records signed Metallica to a multi-year deal and reissued the album.Trapped Under Ice": that riff is cool, and it is nice to have a solo at the beginning rather than the end, and an excellent thrash solo at that, and as good as this song is, the intensity starts to fade a great deal halfway through the song, like, a lot. 2/5 Fight Fire With Fire": I like to call this song `how to write metal riffs 101,' and "how not to sing thrash metal." I really do not understand this, but apparently I am the only Metallica fan that thinks Hetfield's singing sounds absolutely worthless on this song, but I have tried and tried to get used to him, and I cannot. Hetfield. Sounds. Terrible. Those solos sequel rather than shred as well. 3/5