RIDE THE LIGHTNING

This album is one of Metallica's finest. Although it is not as progressive as MoP and ...AJFA, it is my favorite Metallica album. This album is VERY different from KEA. The vocals are much better, guitar is less monotonous, yet the bass isn't as good, though you can't pass up Anesthesia.I originally had this as 4/5 stars but I decided to give it five because it progresses so much from KEA.

Key Tracks: Ride the Lightning - First great song on the album. Amazing solo. Only preceded by One, Fade to Black, and Master of Puppets. For Whom the Bell Tolls - Very good song. Didn't really know about it until I got the album and now it is one of my favorites. Great intro by Cliff. Fade to Black - Best song on the album and my favorite song ever. More calm than any of the other songs, until the heavier ending minutes and the godly solo. This song has hardly any repetitiveness and is one the best metal ballads, up with Hallowed Be They Name by Iron Maiden and Beyond the Realms of Death by Judas Priest. Creeping Death - Similar song structure to Master of Puppets, with lyrics talking about the Holy Spirit's killing of first-born Egyptian sons. Great song for crowd participation. In how many other songs do you get to chant DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! Call of Ktulu - Pretty good, but not the best Metallica instrumental. Cliff's "lead" bass is unique.