There’s a saying that the second albums of the so-called thrash "Big 4" bands are their best works. While core fans may sometimes prefer the debut albums, most thrash metal fans would likely agree with this statement. In the case of Metallica, the (commercial) leader of the Big 4, this sentiment rings especially true. In short, Ride the Lightning is a significant milestone, marking the true birth of thrash metal and the beginning of Metallica's distinct thrash sound. It carries important historical value both as a landmark that signals the dawn of thrash metal and as the spark that ignited Metallica’s eventual (commercial) success.
Metallica placed the most important and outstanding tracks at the beginning and end of… More