Metallica: Ride The Lightning DLX | LTD | NUM | PIC version on vinyl 4LP/6CD/DVD/Box Set in deluxe limited individually numbered Remastered Picture Disc edition. This particular edition was published in USA in publishing company Blackened Recordings on 2. June 2016.

What a leap: Metallica were still part of the metal underground in 1984, but with their second album Ride The Lightning they were visibly moving on to bigger things. The album was released on July 27, 1984, and here's the story behind it. With Kill 'Em All the year before last, the three Californians and Danes brought the initial spark of thrash metal, a brutal and precise manifesto of a new era for all headbangers. On their next album, they show amazing musical growth, but they're still trying. None of the musicians are over 22 at this point. This improvement is mostly due to two "new" bandmates: bassist Cliff Burton and guitarist Kirk Hammett were not yet part of the lineup at the time of the songs for Kill 'Em All. (Even former bandmate Dave Mustaine, who was fired before Kill 'Em All and later formed Megadeth, has two more credits). Cliff Burton in particular, the oldest of the foursome, makes his presence known. Of course, both main songwriters Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield have matured overall since their debut, but Cliff's broad musical spectrum, which goes beyond youthful swing, clearly provides more depth and variety. He teaches his colleagues the basics of music theory, something that others have repeatedly emphasized in the ensuing decades. Above all, it's noticeable that Metallica doesn't consistently push the accelerator on Ride The Lightning as they did on their debut. In general, there is more variety, more elaborate arrangements, tempo changes, mid-tempo shuffles, acoustic guitars, instrumental passages, and more polyphony. Hetfield still screams because metal needs to flow, but he can do it better than before. In any case, no one would expect 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 kicks in that even surpasses the roar of the first album. But one thing at a time.... The result is eight tracks that are now part of the essential metal line-up: the aforementioned Fight Fire With Fire combines a classic intro, quality thrash riffs and elaborate guitar harmonies; lyrically, Hetfield is still treading the waters of the era as he sings of the apocalypse, as befits the time. The briskly marching title track Ride The Lightning makes the muscles in your neck clench as the band musically ups the tempo: the intricate number runs six minutes with many parts and a majestic solo section where Kirk shows his class. The theme this time: the death of a convict in the electric chair, which is a bit reminiscent of Iron Maiden's Galgeneops Hallowed Be Thy Name. (No one said it was about "shiny lucky people.") The deluxe numbered box set Ride the Lightning includes four vinyl records, six CDs, one DVD, a hardcover book including never-before-seen photos, a mini-book of handwritten lyrics, and a set of three posters. VINYL: LIVE AT THE HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM, LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10TH, 1985 (2 LPs) (previously unreleased) VINYL: CREEPING DEATH (PICTURE DISC) CD: RIDE THE LIGHTNING (REMASTERED) CD: METALLICA INTERVIEWS (previously unreleased) CD: DEMOS & ROUGH MIXES FROM LARS' VAULT (previously unreleased) CD: LIVE AT KABUKI THEATRE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA - 15. LIVE AT THE LYCEUM THEATRE, LONDON, UK - DECEMBER 20, 1984 ("Phantom Lord", "The Call Of Ktulu", "Creeping Death" and "Guitar Solo" previously unreleased. All other songs previously unreleased on CD.) CD: LIVE AT CASTLE DONINGTON, UK - AUGUST 17TH, 1985 (previously unreleased on CD) DVD: METAL HAMMER, DAY ON THE GREEN & DANISH TV LIVE AT THE METAL HAMMER FESTIVAL IN ST. GOARSHAUSEN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 14, 1985 (previously unreleased except for "The Four Horsemen", "Fade to Black" and "Seek & Destroy")

Album spans genres Rock, Thrash Metal and Speed Metal. Numbered Remastered Limited Deluxe Edition Box Set.