Ride the Lightning was initially released through the independent label Megaforce Records in the U.S. and Music for Nations in Europe. It sold 85,000 copies across both markets, and then ...

While Slayer, Exodus, and others were also pioneers of thrash metal, Metallica’s first two albums created a dividing line in music history ... When Ride the Lightning landed in 1984, it single ...

When Metallica released Ride the Lightning in 1984 ... Before writing the record, the group had a lesson in music theory from Cliff Burton, elevating their sound tenfold. Hammett reflected ...