What a quantum leap: Metallica still belong to the metal underground in 1984, but with their second album Ride The Lightning they already take a clearly visible run-up to greater things. On July 27, 1984, the record is released, here is its story. With Kill 'Em All, the three Californians and the Dane had delivered the initial spark for thrash metal in the previous year, a brutal as well as precise banging manifesto of a new era for all headbangers. On the successor they show an amazing musical growth, but still banging. None of the musicians is older than 22 at this point. This improvement is mainly due to the two "new" co-moshers: Bassist Cliff Burton and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett were not yet part of the lineup when the songs of Kill 'Em All were written. This time they are able to participate and co-write on six (Cliff) and four (Kirk) of eight tracks. (Even ex-colleague Dave Mustaine, who was kicked out before Kill 'Em All and later founded Megadeth, gets two more credits). Especially Cliff Burton, the oldest of the four, makes his presence felt. Of course, the two chief songwriters Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield have matured overall since the debut, but Cliff's broad musical spectrum, which goes beyond youthful rocking, clearly provides more depth and diversity. He teaches his colleagues the basics of music theory, which the others emphasize again and again in the following decades. Most notably, Metallica doesn't consistently push the gas pedal on Ride The Lightning like they did on their debut. There is generally more variety, more elaborate arrangements, tempo changes, midtempo stompers, acoustic guitars, instrumental passages and increased polyphony. Hetfield still screams around, sure, because metal has to flow, but he can do it better than before. In any case, no one would have expected the classically inspired intro to Fight Fire With Fire, which sounds like it was played by a chamber ensemble with acoustic guitars. Which of course doesn't change the fact that after 40 seconds a capital thrash riff blares out that even surpasses the bawling from the first album. But one thing after the other.... The result is eight tracks that today belong to the metal staple: The aforementioned Fight Fire With Fire brings together a classic intro, high-quality thrash riffs and sophisticated guitar harmonies; lyrically, Hetfield is still moving in the wake of the times, as he sings about the apocalypse, as is appropriate. The briskly marching title track Ride The Lightning then twitches the neck muscle, while the band musically turns up: Six minutes lasts the complex number with many parts and a majestic solo part, in which Kirk shows his class. Theme this time: the death of a condemned man on the electric chair, which reminds a bit of the Galgeneops Hallowed Be Thy Name by Iron Maiden. (Didn't anyone say this was about "shiny happy people")