Ride The Lightning  by Metallica

After the earthquake of the previous year (Kill’em All), the storm of Ride The Lightning comes in 1984. Metallica acquire a visibly more advanced technique in the songs of their second album, as well as in its production. This is due to the then bassist Cliff Burton and his musical knowledge, who stepped forward and played a bigger role in the composition of the songs than he had in Kill 'em All.

The album was recorded in less than a month (February – March 1984) and climbed to No. 48 on the Billboard. The recording took place in Copenhagen at the Sweet Silence Studios of the album's producer, Flemming Rasmussen. Its sales today are approaching 8,000,000 worldwide. Initially, 75,000 copies had been printed – these were the expectations of their company. The Ride The Lightning reached No. 100 on the Billboard as soon as it was released without any promotion either from the radio. All the work was done from the group's live performances and the reputation they had gained due to their debut.

The title was a pun phrase from a Stephen King book (“The Stand”) to indicate someone's execution in an electric chair.