"Ride the Lightning" by Metallica: Guitar Lesson

"Ride the Lightning," the title track from Metallica's second studio album, remains an iconic song in the heavy metal genre. From its haunting intro to its powerful riffs, this song exemplifies Metallica's ability to fuse musicality with raw energy. For guitarists, it is a masterclass in technique, tone, and phrasing. Sam Bell breaks down this classic album track in this exclusive Lick Library video lesson.

Chords and Progressions

The song kicks off with a melodic passage rooted in Em, eventually transitioning into a descending sequence of power chords, primarily involving E5, D5, and C5. These power chords drive the heavy, punchy feel of the track, providing a solid foundation over which lead guitarist Kirk Hammett paints his solos.

Scales Employed

Most of the song's riffs and solos are rooted in the E minor pentatonic scale. However, Hammett frequently integrates notes from the natural minor and the harmonic minor scales, adding tension and expressiveness to his leads.

Solo Analysis

Kirk Hammett's lead work on "Ride the Lightning" is emblematic of his style – melodic, technical, and emotionally charged. The main solo begins with a fast ascending run, employing alternate picking and legato techniques, making use of both hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Throughout the solo, Hammett uses vibrato to give his notes a singing quality. He employs double stop bends and unison bends to add extra thickness and texture to certain notes. The solo is also sprinkled with pinched harmonics that add a squealing timbre, giving an edge to the melodic contour.

Kirk Hammett's Influence and Style

Kirk Hammett, with his background in blues and early rock, integrates these influences seamlessly into Metallica's heavy metal context. His ability to alternate between aggressive and melodic phrasings sets him apart. In "Ride the Lightning," his solos serve as a bridge between the song's thunderous riffs and its lyrical themes of desperation and impending doom. His choice of a bright lead tone, often with a hint of reverb and delay, contrasts beautifully with the rhythm section's chunkier, muted tones.

Techniques in 'Ride the Lightning'

In dissecting the guitar work of "Ride the Lightning," we identify a myriad of techniques that make this track a treasure trove for aspiring guitarists. Here are some of the notable techniques employed:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato (encompassing hammer-ons and pull-offs)
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Tremolo Picking
• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions

While "Ride the Lightning" is undeniably a staple of metal guitar, what truly sets it apart is how it balances technical prowess with musicality. For guitarists, the song serves as an exemplary showcase of how to marry technique with emotion, ensuring that every note, every bend, and every chord strikes a chord with the listener. Whether you're just starting on your guitar journey or are a seasoned pro, there's always something to glean from revisiting this classic Metallica track.