"Ride the Lightning" is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984. The album features a blend of thrash metal and progressive elements, showcasing the band's evolving sound. It includes notable tracks like "Fade to Black" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls," which highlight themes of death and existentialism. The album received critical acclaim and is considered a landmark in the heavy metal genre. It helped establish Metallica as a leading force in the music industry, paving the way for their future success and influencing countless bands that followed.