Kirk's Solo... HOLY SH*T!! | METALLICA - "Ride The Lightning" | (REACTION)

[@stickflickproductions6284]

And to think these guys were 19, 20, 21 years old. Writing this music. Playing this music. Creating this music. Legends

[@NBU-om7xf]

they were actually 21 or 22 because all of metallica members were born 1963 (most of them) but we cant get songs like this because their old and slower than then etc etc

[@TheEngwall]

@@NBU-om7xf And Cliff one year older.

[@roneidomusic7300]

@@NBU-om7xf older and slower😳 have u heard spit out the bone or hardwired?

[@datimolashvili8075]

absolutely!

[@HanMoP]

@@NBU-om7xf Just to prov how wrong you are. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqnFf3iggJd7mdE

[@givenspade]

fun fact: the scream in the bridge section when James sings "I don't want to die" was actually from Lars

[@cadenyourearent8174]

Dang thanks I didn't know I thought it was James voice but modified a bit

[@bretthouston5448]

Lars also had the idea for the sound of the intro as well

[@firelitr]

Are you sure? I had heard it was Cliff, as he did the same thing at live shows.

[@Jackobo6]

@@firelitr Lars wrote the intro (probably came up with the drum beat and sang the melody) and Cliff harmonized it :) Both of them share credit for it :)

[@elahiac8372]

@@cadenyourearent8174 X2 brother, I also thought it was from James, because the effects that it has in its studio version, James's voice was felt more than that of lars himself, but look, it's always a good thing, learn from fans to fans curiosities of Metallica . songs. I only knew that Lars only had the idea from the beginning, he did not know that he was the one who gave him breath and shout of aura on the bridge of James, favorite Great Dane.

[@chrisw1360]

Alex:"For Metallica to capture......I'm going to shut the fuck up" Haha. I love your appreciation for their songs and how you take it all in. Keep up the great reactions.

[@secondsofsilence_music]

Cracked me up haha

[@chriscunningham1968]

i literally LOL'D

[@metlgawd]

4:39 FTFY

[@braydengilbert9172]

Hahaha I read that the exact same time he said it😂

[@jeffmoppi]

Kirk is a toolbox solo player. He spent years building tools - licks, phrases, techniques. When he writes a solo, he combines these tools in a way that fits the chord progression. That means, they're both, pre-written and improvised at the same time, mostly in the studio. The best takes he combines to his final solo, with the help of the producer.

[@karlsmith2570]

I don't know anyone else, but I can hardly wait to see Alex's reaction to "Call Of Cthulu"

[@chassy50]

*Ktulu also i think he should listen to the 1984 London lyceum version cause you can barely hear the bass on the studio version

[@kirkwahmett859]

And fade to Black

[@The_nitewolf]

I was just thinking that

[@MHZNOMISS]

@@chassy50 it can be writen with k and c, wheter you want to spell it

[@fogzax]

Yeah that's the best track on RTL for me

[@irakewater3384]

Kirks solo is just so unbelievably good in this song, goosebumps every time

[@claydurban8411]

By far my favorite solo ever

[@heavydirtysoul1328]

Only solo of kirk that i like

[@Pifmeister]

This solo was written by Dave Mustaine

[@deletedhero5579]

@@Pifmeister No it was written by Kirk, just a riff in this song is by Dave

[@Sum_Jigh]

Oh Hell yes!

[@linus5171]

Solos are usually made by using scales. Scales are made out of notes that work together, they usually play licks in the scales and move from scale to scale. But some also create a melody in their head, by the melody then knowing the notes. Creating it on guitar.

[@sdot13tube]

I knew someone would have put in here.. so know I don’t have to 👍🏽

[@romanduran4829]

Yup. The song is written in a certain key with a chord progression and the solo is written using scales that use notes that compliment the notes under it

[@continentalaquatics2725]

Metal and hard rock solos seem to be recorded in the moment from what I’ve seen and heard. From there, there may be certain melodies that come out of the solo that the lead guitarist would want to duplicate, but there are usually variations when they know other notes are in the scale. Whenever I wrote solos, I planned out every note and focused on melody, but I was nowhere near as capable as Kirk or James and I the music I played wasn’t considered heavy.

[@logancuda4624]

Yeah, its kinda just go with the flow but follow the scales. So with this song, they set their mood, had their key and Kirk went with it. Im sure it went through many stages of editing but there had to be a base to it somewhere at some point that related to the song.

[@erenyeagerist5240]

true but writing guitar solos also has this thing called "phrasing" where you really create the melodies or ideas in your head and you just let it out on your guitar and play a nice guitar solo and not just playing random notes on a scale

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

After getting Puppets (my first album) I went into the backlog (because who the eff didn't). Holy heck, I must have listened to this and Creeping Death 6000 times in the span of a summer.

[@jasonx4008]

RTL has always my fav Metallica album

[@jasonx4008]

@Curly Que Justice is a masterpiece

[@na-tv6rn]

Got Puppets first after listening to both in the record store. No regrets but RTL definitely got some major play in my highschool music rotation.

[@sacredrelapse2057]

Cannot wait for Trapped Under Ice. Metallica is one of the all time greats!!

[@jacobcarr5647]

Yesss the most overlooked song on the album!

[@jerryspiegelberg8721]

As A Minnesotan.... Being trapped under Ice has ALWAYS been a fear of mine since I first started ice fishing ( I was 7... This song came out when I was 13 )... When I First heard this ( 85'ish ) I was Dumbstruck !!!!!

[@windyhead7960]

@@jerryspiegelberg8721 Yeah.VERY scary.I suffer from claustrophobia.

[@OneArmedRetroGamer]

Tracks 2 -5 are the strongest out of a fucking amazing LP

[@markdixon3987]

I am dying to live, cry out! I'm trapped under ice!

[@capp00]

From what I've seen/read/heard from Metallica over the years in regards to solos, some are written based on a sound they have in their head. Often times, when in their down time, or on a bus ride or whatever, a riff just comes to them, or they have an idea for a bridge or solo piece and they'll just use a tape recorder or whatever, record it, and then later when putting together a record, they'll browse through their recorded material and see if something fits, and then tweak it as needed.

[@dolphin082]

Makes a lot of sense

[@cbinette100]

That's why Kirk wasn't a major part of Hardwired. According to him he lost the phone he had all his recorded ideas on and when they went into recording he didn't have anything ready to go.

[@dowens3781]

Not true. I've read numerous interviews with Kirk Hammett in guitar magazines during the 80's. He was very schooled in theory (by the guitar god Joe Satriani) as a teenager, so he used to meticulously work out solos during their early days (first 4 albums). He only began improvising some solos on the Black Album (and then Bob Rock would have him refine them, or he'd piece them together from multiple improvised takes). And on Hardwired, Kirk chose to improvise all of the solos in order to give them a more spontaneous live jam type of feel.

[@fatshady5714]

Thanks for tossing in this tidbit of Metallica lore ma man! Gotta love that method of song writing! Seems like it would definitely be more "organic" in the sense that the guys wouldn't need to all just sit down in the studio with a deadline hanging over their head trying to force something together to meet it. It makes sense that creating in that way would make for better music and it really shows in damn near every album they've created!

[@cbinette100]

@@dowens3781 he had to improvise because all his licks were lost. That's why he didn't get a credit to the album. Here's the interview with James on the subject..."James Hetfield Talks Kirk Hammett's Lost Phone, Air Drums to Ghost" loudwire.com/metallica-james-hetfield-kirk-hammett-lost-phone-computer-air-drum-ghost/. Kirk is extremely talented and yes he can improvise on the fly.

[@gizzad]

"I DON'T WANT TO DIEEEEEEE!" ("I'mma shut the fuck up.") That was priceless! I got chills man! 🔥🌈💖

[@maxbakowski9967]

Weakend by horrid scream!!!! Hetfield's vocals talent is really showing off here

[@namelessghoulette4094]

6 months ago is when you stopped calling yourself a “hip hop head” and came to the dark side.....Alex is one of us!!!!

[@kirvergalarragacastro1448]

As soon as i heard that solo i realized two things: That Metallica would forever be my favorite band no matter what and that i had learn how to play guitar. Completely blown away.

[@nou7911]

Same thing happened to me

[@chrisw1360]

Same bro!

[@EzioHanitore]

That was me when i heard Holy Wars for the first time

[@redtoesmaster2931]

@@EzioHanitore megad*th has no place here son

[@222MovieMan]

@@redtoesmaster2931 Megadeth has a place everywhere. We enjoy both Metallica and Megadeth here! :)

[@jayb7775]

"I can feel the flames..." That scene from The Green Mile always comes to my mind.

[@robertw8729]

I first Heard this song when I was in fourth grade and kirks solo in it is basically one of the reasons I started to play guitar fast forward about 7-8 years and it’s still practically my favorite solo of all time

[@Puma3golf]

I think I was born with heavy metal.

[@quabbl6939]

This was the first Metallica song I heard, in fifth grade and I loved it too, I got inspired to play guitar by James tho

[@jasonx4008]

Kirk has always had that crazy ability to craft a perfect solo the song needs (particularly in those early years). He may not be the most technical or virtuosic, but he is great because of how his solos SOUND. The Outlaw Torn is a perfect example. Its like his heart is bleeding as he's playing it

[@loriboggs7462]

I like how you noticed his voice is different. He was a kid at this time period. His voice gets deeper the older he gets. I love them all!

[@olaferdland-jeppesen7794]

I envy you. I wish I could hear Metallica again for the first time.

[@gizzad]

Yeah, and part of me feels likei do when I watch him react. Heartwarming

[@afigueredo88]

Amazing times as teenager getting my mind blown by the music and the lyrics. Just like Alex right now, so cool to watch it tbh

[@olaferdland-jeppesen7794]

@@gizzad Sure is

[@olaferdland-jeppesen7794]

@@afigueredo88 yeah sitting with the record sleeves reading the lyrics. Good times

[@alanholt9806]

Thank you so much for your appreciation of Kirk's guitar solos. He gets a ton of hate, and I've never understood it. I've always felt that while his solos aren't necessarily as complex or difficult as some others, they fit the songs far better than just about any other heavy metal lead guitarist. Far too often, metal soloists play extremely complicated, lightning fast solos full of sweep picked arpeggios and finger tapping that, while technically impressive, don't actually fit or complement the song itself. In fact for me personally, only Randy Rhoads (Ozzy's first 2 solo albums) had the ability to lift the songs he played on as consistently. Again, thank you for giving Kirk some love!

[@LordBaktor]

That's what me and my friends used to say, Kirk might not be the best but he managed to write solos that fit the songs and had identity. You can hear an isolated Kirk solo and know what song it is from pretty easily. Brian May from Queen, Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden and Both K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton from Judas Priest are also pretty good at that.

[@alanholt9806]

@@LordBaktor Totally agree with those guys. David Gilmour is another imo. I love shreddy solos, but I'll take the guys you mentioned, Hammett, Gilmour, and Rhoads ahead of any others regardless of skill.

[@dylanadams1455]

Fucking Amen! Shreddy dickwads who don't understand it's not all about speed. This solo is amazing, and so is the solo to Fade to Black. These solos are WRITTEN. They have drama, dynamic and narrative. Far more memorable than 99% of all metal solos. I LIKE his blues licks. I LIKE his use of wah.

[@feloniousalpha1815]

Kirk wasn't always labeled the best. But he's worked hard for it and I appreciate him. Your emotions belong to him when he starts a solo. And you bang your head when Lars says so.

[@15blackshirt]

Kirk Hammett's solos are easily some of the most recognizable

[@thebiscuitbros8202]

This album has some of the best Kirk solos! You should enjoy them as much as possible because you only hear them for the first time once!

[@nathanmellott2262]

One of Kirk's top 5 solos for sure. SO.GOOD. And honestly James and Cliff underneath the solo are absolutely incredible as well. You're totally on point with Metallica's progression musically through the first 4 albums. This is the perfect bridge between the masterpiece that is Master of Puppets and the raw speed of Kill Em All.

[@beastofthesoutheast9535]

Guitarist here. Not a pro by any means but this is my process. I usually record solos last and the first time ill just jam over it and go with what feels right in the moment. Then ill have an idea of an outline, so to speak, then I keep jamming until I "color" in the lines. Sometimes I know off the bat for what I want but generally it's just feeling it and making it cohesive to the song.

[@szithaanu9934]

I pretty much do this routine also. It's like painting a picture. First step is to sketch it out to get a feel of it (jamming out over the riff) Second step is to start making definitive decisions about where everything is going to fit (structure the general melody of the solo) Third step is to refine and add in the details that make it 'pop' so to speak

[@Puma3golf]

Keep chugging man! Lets goooooooo

[@Vitericus1]

Solos are always prepared and thought out for me, never improvised, so they integrate right into the song. I write the song from A to B to C; I get to the point where I want the solo, get an idea of how I want it to sound/feel then write it the "David Gilmore" way by adding together small melodic bits and phrases to get a complete solo. Then I continue to write the rest of the song. Then go back and decide what types of harmonies and riffs to play underneath the solo.

[@dragonpup1]

I'm a bit of the same. But sometimes I have an idea for a solo first and I'll write or noodle around to put it in to a key and write around that. I think Alex will start to notice Kirk tends to play similar notes and that's cos Kirk loves the Pentatonic scale, a lot of hanging around 12th,14th and 15th frets and that's because it fits in any song and you can always make something sound amazing.

[@steven14621462]

A solo is created by an artist who understands riffs,chords, scales and rhythm to such an extent that they can create a masterpiece on the fly, only legends create solos that are remembered 25 years later and don't forget theses guys where 18 yr old when they made this masterpiece

[@ch355_]

“for metallica to capture...i’m gonna shut the eff up” you have chosen wisely, sir. kudos

[@technewsfortechnoobs]

From what I remember from when this album first released (yes, I just dated myself there), James focused only on the rhythm guitar parts, and Kirk wrote all the solos. He did all doubled/octave solo parts as well. So when you hear the dual guitars playing together during a solo....it was ALL Kirk. James later started playing some of the doubled parts live, but it wasn't until he was much more proficient of a guitarist to do so.

[@Ozz77765]

First heard this song in 1985, first Metallica song I ever heard. Still and will always be my favorite song.

[@laufenkraufen7509]

I was 5 then. My first and stil favorite song is from album Kill 'em all Seek & Destroy when I was 14 years old. Running On our way Hiding You will pay Dying One thousand deaths O my god, that make so much goosebumps.

[@chrisw1360]

@@laufenkraufen7509 Seek and Destroy is a top 3 Metallica song and by far my favorite song for them to play live at a concert.

[@forformgamer]

I remember being at an outdoor Metallica concert that got postponed due to a crazy lightning storm. When the band came on, a few songs in James said: "I think you guys might like this one even more now." before starting this song. Everyone went completely apeshit! Still remember the mist rising because of all the people that were drenched in rain heating up xD

[@gennyreese420]

I’m sure that was incredible! I had a similar experience at a Marilyn Manson n Smashing Pumpkins concert...Manson got sick of waiting for the rain to stop, and decided to perform anyway in it, and just then it did stop and the most incredible rainbow...yes, rainbow 😂🤘🏼Appeared for the prince of darkness!!...Red Rocks Colorado..amazing!

[@mattihelin5101]

When you listen to the call of ktulu, please pick up the enhanced bass-version of the song. Cliffs bass is incredible. There are so many little details that you really don't notice from the original version. The man was a genius.

[@michasocha8998]

Sm2 :)

[@ajkorras]

Maybe regular still 8)

[@philipp.bernard5267]

that's why my favourite album is MoP

[@Ameen559]

@alex hefner Do this..

[@irsyazman181]

Some legends said Kirk set his guitar on fire when he played this solo

[@gPOSKAS]

For me, this is their best album. Every track is amazing. This song NAILS the essence of the subject. Written so young. They were beyond their years.

[@andrenieuwenhuis1049]

From what I've gathered, Cliff Burton was a classically trained musician and wrote all of everything for the first almost 4 albums before he died. That man wrote all the music. They were playing his drum lines his guitar his bass his solos. Thats why there is such a giant difference from black and forth. He wrote symphonies of destruction. Litteraly

[@Syko_Gaming5150]

I’m 45 and have been a huge Metallica fan from the time I was 12 and heard “last caress/green hell” in 87

[@chrisw1360]

Yes! I really hope Alex reacts to Garage Days / Garage Days Revisited.

[@Syko_Gaming5150]

@@chrisw1360 I want to see him react to “am I evil” which was on the oldest version of “kill ‘em all”

[@chrisw1360]

@@Syko_Gaming5150 It's a requirement. I still have the original Kill Em All CD with Am I EVIL. I wore it out over the decades and it has a few "chirps" which bums me out.

[@Syko_Gaming5150]

@@chrisw1360 lol mine was on tape.

[@222MovieMan]

@@Syko_Gaming5150 No death 'til leather wss the name before Kill Em All, very early :)

[@shimson666]

Every song on this album is about different ways of dying. It's lyrically and musically intense, the whole damn thing is a masterpiece. Kirk was like 16-17 when he wrote some of the riffs for this album.

[@XAMS]

One of the greatest guitar solos of all time on this song

[@NoelJames_]

Yeaa truee, but Kirk gets a lot of slack for not being as good as Mustaine.

[@XAMS]

@@NoelJames_ Mustaine never wrote any solos as good as Ride the Lightning, Fade to Black or Creeping Death, and that's just sticking to this album. Sure Mustaine could shred really fast, but Kirk's solos a much more memorable.

[@PikeBishop1]

@@XAMS Marty wrote the best ones.

[@hollow2xs630]

@@XAMSmore memorable is a stretch theyre only memorable because they sound the same kirk is a boring writer

[@jarrodschaller5963]

Metallica's music literally feels like home to me....

[@YourNeighborhoodItalian]

It is for us brotha

[@dielegende9141]

Fun fact: Despite his solo being the standout element of the song, Kirk Hammett is not credited for writing Ride the Lightning

[@moondawwg]

Yeah guitar solos are rarely considered songwriting credits.

[@jamesthemetalhead21]

Dave mustaine was credited for 2 songs on ride the lightning.

[@TheNothing6]

Kirk doesn't get credited for any solo! Kirk did write ever single note for this solo, contrary to Mustaine lovers saying he wrote it. That is so false that it's laughable.

[@jamesthemetalhead21]

Call of ktulu and ride the lightning have writing credits for Dave mustaine.

[@23dewitt]

Facts. Dave Mustaine receives credit for both albums; kill em all and ride the lightning

[@nejobeigott2928]

this album is gonna blow him away

[@sharooooon6212]

It’s funny cause ride the lightning was one of the first full metal albums I loved so it’s great watching him feel all the emotions I felt when I first heard it all

[@Magma-33]

Two words: EPIC SONG

[@secretmedicine6011]

THREE WORDS: BADASSITUDE

[@philrob1978]

That aggressive, growling slide up on the bass at 8:07 hits me in the core of my being every time. Cliff was a genius. It's almost criminal how young they all were when they made this album - exceptionally talented guys. True classic.

[@ethanwalklett]

When you've literally listened to this song over 1000 times and it is still 0.00% annoying, this song never gets old.

[@ManleyKing-s2f]

35 years so far.Still kicking.Metal up your ass

[@dieselgrandpa4181]

This came out when I was in high school, I couldn't stop listening. Still to this day it's my all time favorite album, this is what my kids grew up to and now even my amazing grandchildren.😆

[@spEv3r77]

Going back to these masterpieces and enjoying someone's new fresh emotions and reactions to them. Brings me back to my first time. My heart flutters again.. much love Alex.. metalhead-4-life

[@Davivd2]

I've been listening to this song for 30 years. I still have a reaction like this whenever I hear it. Every time that it comes up on my media players, I stop what I'm doing and give it a proper listen. That solo, and the rhythm section behind it for that matter, are (no pun intended) lightning in a bottle. Being a kid getting into metal in 1994, hearing these 80's Metallica albums for the first time. The emotions still stick with me. Hearing that harpsichord on Fight Fire With Fire or the opening to Battery. So epic. I mean EPIC. It was like listening to something bigger than anything that I've ever heard before. Almost like these guys had Metalocalypse episodes from the future playing in their head as they wrote music.

[@justincider4375]

The fact that Metallica released three albums in a row that are essentially perfect from front to back is what made them so dominant in the '80s. Some bands were heavier, faster, more technical, but nobody had enough great material to achieve three straight perfect albums.

[@aarontaylor8606]

You are so right man, but I’d honestly argue four albums in a row because after injustice for all is the black album, and there are so many songs that can be considered top 20 of their songs on it

[@minners71]

Four amazing albums in a row then a complete turd. Sorry but I hate the black album.

[@minners71]

@@aarontaylor8606 *and justice for all

[@chairmanofthebored6860]

Slayer perhaps? Reign in Blood, South of Heaven and Seasons in the Abyss are all classic albums

[@zaqwertyfish]

Then add Megadeth after Mustaine got booted... What an amazing time the 80's were for metal. Most of my friends became guitarists or drummers because of Metallica & Megadeth.

[@Stmac6531]

My brother and I just throw ideas at each other. He’ll play a riff, and I’ll play off of what he just did, taking it up a notch. Then he’ll build off that, so on and so on, until you wind up with something absolutely nuts.

[@DD-373]

Kirk was the one who brought the title to James when he was reading "The Stand" and the intro to the song was actually created by Lars of all people Also the screams in the background while James says "I don't want to die" are Lars as well

[@petrilampela]

I'm not surprised that the intro is by Lars as it has a great rhythm trick (like the first track on the album has) and you can hear it in two different ways. I think it's meant to be counted like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oovdpauNp7RpsKs

[@OriginalMiztiki]

I did not know that. Huh. Thanks.

[@kirkwahmett859]

Damn I was gonna say the Lars screaming part u beat me to it hehe

[@DD-373]

@@petrilampela yeah what notes are actually there are Cliff but the actual tune was done by Lars

[@laporte1625]

I love Lars, he is such an essential part of Metallica's sound, so few people realize this and like to ignorantly mock him.

[@tomwisniewski8988]

Lars gets a lot of shit for his playing, but his drums paint their songs in such interesting and unique colors. They complemented each other so well back then.

[@Sindraug25]

I think a good description of Lars is that although his technical skill is not good, his presentation is great.

[@cbinette100]

He isn't a technical. But he sets the rhythm and timing for the guitars to go off. Not only that but he is very very talented when it comes to song and album composition. All of their albums sound so cohesive and almost no song sounds misplaced. His work in the studio is amazing.

[@santacloud01]

Lars doesn't get any shit for his playing in older records. Everyone likes Lars' playing in Metallica's first 4 albums, especially in ...And Justice for All. He just went lazy after those albums and repeated himself for every single song, made a lot of mistakes on live shows, used a "trash can" for snare on St. Anger album etc.

[@roscopervis]

There’s a few layers to Lars’ drum skills back in 1983/84. He was practicing a lot and playing a lot live and as anyone who plays knows, this is a great way for a younger drummer to get better. Also, back in the early 80’s, metal drumming wasn’t what it is now. You can hear Neil Peart esque flam type fills with variety here as he was practicing them and trying to better himself. Another thing to remember was that without ProTools and the big recording budgets, they had to play the songs with minimal punch ins or overdubs so actually practicing to get a perfect take was important. It is very true that Lars himself says that drumming isn’t his most important job in Metallica, and that his arranging and crafting the songs is the foundation on which the band has been built, but for the 4 Fleming Rasmussen albums, he played well and could play well, especially for the time. I just wish he would practice more as his repertoire has now diminished to a very limited range, especially live.

[@heavydirtysoul1328]

He deserves it though if you listen to other drummer he is at rock bottom drum he just learns notes and play he doesn't player naturally.

[@Octalux]

sometimes solos just happen and they're great (depends on how creative/tasty your guitarist is) other times it's "i want it to go sorta like this" and then noodling around happens til it takes shape

[@lartistafred]

Hello, I've been listening to this stuff for nearly 30 years now, and I'm pleased to see that younger peaople are stille amazed with this. Thank you !!!

[@jspntr]

Man Metallica’s first four albums were just on fire, there literally are no bad songs on there first four albums.

[@Beezonit]

Agreed. Their first 4 albums are better than any band’s first 4

[@scottterwiel]

Totally agree. Except 4 one song on ajfa album..... harvester of sorrow. I just cant get into it.... ive tried.

[@NoelJames_]

Things started going downhill during the Black Album, they tried to be more Grunge/mainstream than Heavy metal! But at the end of the, They're still freaking METALLICA!

[@WWIIman1942]

@@scottterwiel Thats the first time I've ever heard someone say that haha

[@drachireidnoc6659]

@@Beezonit Led Zeppelin’s first four albums were pretty solid

[@michaelbruin8972]

I'm going to have to say your comments are really some of the best and you're dead on with how you see the song. Good job.

[@jrhaney11]

That’s a top five favorite song for me all time. Incredible intro, awesome groove head banging monster, crisp raspy vocals, incredible wording of vocals, fast paced mid section with my favorite breakdown, leading into my favorite Metallica solo ever, and a incredible finish to a masterpiece of a song!!!! I absolutely love this song!!

[@ltlibby6220]

One of my all time favorite Cliff bass lines in this song. I love all the midrange stuff and the cords on the bass stomps in the "Thunder", It's so good

[@jamesdrudd3791]

And next is for whom the bell tolls. I guarantee Alex gets in a zombieland reference 😂

[@metalmellie4371]

He's done it already I think.

[@vivir_en_ruedas]

@@metalmellie4371 yes, but he did the live version reaction. Its a complete different experience to listen the album version.

[@arc6017]

It´s like your anxious and out of breath trougth out the whole song: from the guitar intro and only stops in the same guitar closer. I think that´s meant to be so you have that feeling of uneasy and anxiety that someone on that situation would experience. Love this song!

[@theclawyaww3740]

"That got a different vibe to it" Mustaine was a big part of this song and Call of Cthulu. Also do some more Megadeth full album like "Peace Sells" or "Dystopia"

[@burtknighten1873]

This. Been asking for peace sells forever . I'm not gonna watch a kill em all reaction.

[@222MovieMan]

@@burtknighten1873 yeah I want him to do peace cells

[@archivedshite]

aint no way hes reacting to megashit i mean deth

[@theclawyaww3740]

@@archivedshite very funny. you a comedian?

[@archivedshite]

@@theclawyaww3740 nah I’m a speaker of the truth

[@e-train765]

This guitar solo is WHY I started playing guitar, even though I've heard the song a billion times that solo STILL gives me goosebumps

[@spoopbagoot4628]

This and the Blackened solo have gotta be my favorite 2 by Metallica

[@trickflip1]

Same. Add in Unforgiven because it is damn near Kirk’s masterpiece based on just the feel, emotion, and groove.

[@Moonshine449]

Fade To Black and Disposable Heroes for me

[@AgainstTheeWickedlyMusic]

Absolutely, completely agreed. One that really sticks out to me now is The Thing That Should Not Be, as well. Definitely not the longest or most technical, but God it's so evil, and absolutely perfect for the song

[@ryanforsythe8923]

Great choice. I got Fade to Black as my #1 best solo

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

I've probably listened to this song thousands of times now over the years, and Kirk's blistering solo here over the top of James's rhythm guitar never gets old. I don't think there will ever be another band that could crank out an epic trifecta of thematic albums like RTL, MOP, and AJFA are like Metallica did.

[@larrytaylor4482]

I remember when this album came out, where I was, who I was with and what we were doing. The memories just keep flowing back. Very special album for me. Thanks for reacting Alex 🤘🤘

[@yermantovar3120]

This is my favorite metallica's album and my favorite song, that solo is great and the drums and the voice and the bass and everything..

[@CreepyNeighbor666]

Hetfield was 21 when they recorded this. As he got older, his voice got deeper and he can't sing quite as high as back then but at 57, he's still really good live,

[@OriginalMiztiki]

I absolutely LOVE his deep voice the way it is now and really hope he utilizes it on the next album.

[@Appokallopps]

My love became undying when hearing him sin Stone Cold Crazy at Mercurys tribute concert.

[@goyd88]

Je préfère sa voix maintenant

[@CreepyNeighbor666]

@@goyd88 Chacun ses gouts. Les premiers albums sont spéciales pour moi, surtout Ride the Lightning car c'est le premier album de Matallica que j'ai jamais entendu. Je ne préfere pas necessairement sa voix mais je ne peu juste pas imaginer l'album sans cette fois la.

[@goyd88]

@@CreepyNeighbor666 je préfère les vieux albums et de loin, mais je parlais que de la voix

[@MitchTimms]

That solo makes me smile so much, it just never ends, I love it!

[@Nestorglass]

I think I can answer the solo question thingy so: Guitar solos (when using music theory) are basically done using the different scales and modes in a way that compliments the song, basically being in the same key than the rhythm guitars and bass. What Kirk is doing here is using quick progressions of notes that are in key with the riffs and busting them out via fast picking, tapping and all that shred stuff. They're usually written in fragments. Kirk likes to improvise a lot in the studio but many parts of this specific solo were clearly written way before recording, just trying out scales and patterns and figuring it out lmao. He really came up with this masterpiece of a solo by fucking around with help of his theory knowledge. Fun fact, around this time he was taught guitar by Joe Satriani, who's a famous amazing guitar player too.

[@alexkenley1]

omg i just felt a little of what I did so many years ago when i first got into metallica/metal. I used to listen to this on a cassette tape that my brother made with various metallica tracks. thanks for the nostalgia

[@apguitar8075]

Every guitarist starts writing or improvising a solo from the scale, in the key of the song. Now, all guitarist have a personal repertory of licks and notes progressions that they can transpose in every key whenever they need it, to adapt them to the song that they are writing. So basically to write a solo you start from a raw melody that you create on the moment that fits well with the song, then you complete it using your repertory and experience. The difficulty is to use licks in your style of playing without sounding too repetitive.

[@francweggeman1973]

I grew up listening to Metallica and Megadeth and love to see your reaction and "younger" folk's reaction in general... I'm from '73... Everytime I look at these videos I get such a big smile on my face, knowing I was there years before, when this was "new(er)".... Love it will continue to look at this channel, keep it up!!

[@user-tq1bj3fn7h]

This intro man. That's what I call a lightning

[@Nathaniel_The_Evil_One]

As a guitarist I make solos based on epic tunes/melodies that just come to my head. However, this moment of awesome creativity only happens RIGHT before I fall asleep. If I feel like the melody is worth capturing, I'll use my phone to record myself humming the melody. When I wake up, I listen to it until I can get every note on the guitar and I just piece it all together.

[@isaowilcox1020]

I love how he tried to explain what he was hearing and then just said “ I’m gonna shut the fuck up” as the solo was coming up

[@nps1016]

I’m glad you are enjoying the album, Alex. This is one of my favorites as well, hell the whole album is awesome!!! I love when you look up the background to how what inspired them to write their songs, it’s very informative. How do how Kirk or any guitarist comes up their solos, I imagine it’s a very soulful experience. You play from the heart and you hope you get it in tape, then go back and rework it or add more to the solos. Can’t wait till the next song...For Whom The Bell Tolls.

[@christianr361]

Fun fact the Megadeth song “wake up dead” has a similar chord progression because this was a riff they came up with when Dave was still in the band

[@burtknighten1873]

I like wake up dead way better.

[@OleksandrMilkovskyi]

Didn't Dave write a solo to this song?

[@tallycahamuhlhetru26]

@@OleksandrMilkovskyi He did not. He contributed to A spider riff.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

@@tallycahamuhlhetru26 the fast part of the solo sounds mustaine 600 % on note choices

[@deletedhero5579]

@@Nissardpertugiu All Kirk

[@5burowz]

I love that you are doing complete projects! That's pretty RAD!

[@nobodysbusiness5186]

I’m enjoying him listen to each album. There some songs that I haven’t listened to from Metallica

[@OriginalMiztiki]

You really should give them all a try. If you’re like me and don’t like some (or all in my case) at first, give them a few more listens. The first 5 albums are truly incredible from beginning to end (minus a couple songs that are *only* good 😁). Load and (especially IMO) Reload have some really good, but different, songs. The rest of their albums also have some good songs, and even St. Anger has a few once you get past Lars’ drumming (😡). Spit Out The Bone is awesome. I encourage you to give them all a try so you don’t kick yourself later in life for missing out!

[@222MovieMan]

@@OriginalMiztiki yeah five first albums are the best ones. I don't really care for the other albums.

[@myproject13ttt]

A teen from the 80s, I'll tell you that Metallica was just FREAKING AMAZING Pre Black Album👊🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🙏

[@Puma3golf]

Black album and Harvester of Sorrow are my go to

[@quabbl6939]

I play in a metal band, and the way most bands make solos, is the solo guitarist comes up with something at home, shows it to the others, they tweak it together and hit record

[@AndyPresto75]

I really enjoy how Alex's reactions remind me of the initial times I listened to Metallica's first 4 albums during my early teens and they completetly blew my mind. What's even cooler is that 30+ years later these timeless tunes sound as fresh as ever and their impact continues to grow. Thanks Alex!

[@therealdrmatt8383]

For what it’s worth, I just want to say that this is the first time I ever kept coming back to KZbin waiting to see any video that I knew was coming. I’ve been a subscriber of yours for a while and it makes me genuinely smile to see how much love you have for Metallica from where you started. I remember those early Hip Hop Nerd reactions and I knew then that you were going to love metal. I’m so happy that you decided to do each Metallica album in their entirety. (At least do the first 5, lol.) Thanks for great, honest, genuine reactions and for not being obnoxious like some other channels. Yours is the best, hands down.

[@davidshuler1922]

Watch the performance of this song from their 'Through the Never' movie on Netflix.

[@EzioHanitore]

Is that movie on netflix now?

[@DillyDilly13]

Haha I just said that. The coil almost kills Lars.

[@ryanforsythe8923]

Thanks for giving me something to do

[@FOOTBALLV]

I love this song, one of my all time favorite songs ever.

[@crossfithardnox]

Guitar players are constantly “writing” riffs, hooks or pieces of music that become songs. James and Kirk write non-stop and what makes them special is their ability to embody the essence of the lyrics into the musical arrangement of the songs.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Main riffs have a trademark here of spider chords that are not Kirk or James :) or Cliff

[@tallycahamuhlhetru26]

@@Nissardpertugiu Mustaine did not invent spider chords.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

@@tallycahamuhlhetru26 but james never used it before Dave did

[@deletedhero5579]

@@Nissardpertugiu James doesn't play this riff in the way Dave did

[@raymondfernandez7276]

Dude, you have made me have a deeper appreciation for this band one of the greatest out there. KILL EM ALL should be next album, keep on rockin bro.

[@ellesartelcontar153]

Last portion of the song: Wakened by the horrid scream Freed from the frightening dream When you realized, the same guy whos waiting his death sentence, he had a dream of dying before he actually died. How fucking deep is that

[@stevenivey2280]

Holy shit

[@snagfree]

I was in the Air Force 1986 and a buddy handed me this cassette to put in my Sony Walkman and said 'Check this out'. That was my introduction to the Metal Gods.

[@oghuztelorman7057]

Most solos sound amazing in this album - and it's no coincidence that the rythm guitar sections accompanying them are also spot on: very well written in the sense of chord progression and harmony. So in the end; a guitar solo is not just a guitar solo Alex. If you had the opportunity of listening solo tracks isolated, you'll probably not feel the same about them. On a side note (as electric guitar performers know this for sure): if there is a leakage of electric current somewhere in your setup, your guitar will "struck you with lightning" (as the current is grounded over your body) on account for having a very tiny bit of resemblence to the electric chair - of course it's not even close, but i feel it might be of some influence. I would bring a huge ass Tesla coil to the stage while performing this song and ride the lightning :)

[@MaddogJones]

Hey brah!!! Great reaction again... To answer your question , Most songs are not written start to finish with all the lyrics and music in on sitting. Usually but like everything artist all do things their own way but typically the main song writer for the group will have a lyric or melody. the other musicians will always be working on riff, fills, licks, solo and have a tape or recordings of those elements that they will bring to the song writing session and will usually pick and choose through their portfolio until something fits or is close to what the song feels. Obviously not everything fits the first time so then it's worked on to fit the music. Kirk Hammett has traditionally had tapes of hundreds of solos that he would show the band. He had been recording his solos on his phone before Hardwired but lost the phone before recording and missed out on all those sweet sweet song writing royalties... DOh!!! The process of writing a solo typically starts with a basic knowledge of music theory and knowing scales. It then evolves to knowing how a group of notes will work with others and finding a suitable transition. Unless you're Tom Morello then everything is thrown out the window and you make it up and melt melt faces...

[@metalheadindian9174]

Hefner em all Hefner the Lightning Master of Hefners And....Hefner for all The Hefner Album St' Hefner Hefner/Rehefner Hefner Magnetic Hardwired to Hefner (Btw please react to Emperor-I am the Black Wizards. It is a masterpiece)

[@qwrtyuq]

Yes! Please Emperor

[@boezerdieser]

Hef Magnetic...

[@REDi_Jedi_37]

Dropped the ball missing "Ride the Hefner"

[@rostislavbrebis1001]

Fight Alex with Hefner Ride the Hefner From whom the Bell Hefner Fade to Hefner Trapped Undet Hefner Hefner Creeping Hefner The Call of Hefner

[@harryzimmerman7991]

Oh yeah Emperor definitely be a killer reaction for sure, but gotta start off with In The Nightside Eclipse first, because even though it's their official debut, it's also their transition record from how they started out in the Early Norwegian Black Metal scene to where they were going next, Symphonic progressive BM, with some songs that were very Metallica inspired in the later albums🤘🖤 would love to see those reactions

[@shannonbarger9682]

Kirk has been the inspiration for so many aspiring new guitarists through the years, myself included. For me, although I don't solo much anymore (now most of my playing involves either entertaining my five year old son, or as a means for me to get my fingers limbered up), mainly I would think about the root notes of the riff, and dance around that, while figuring out runs to connect them all. I have friends who could solo on the fly, but that's not me, lol

[@tmakster]

I have watched numerous peeps react to songs......You, not only cuz ur on this Metallica kick, are top notch!!!

[@Humandeathwebmaster]

The song where everything begins for me - 1985 I got a Music Tape from a friend at the schoolyard, and at home I put it in my tape player. The first Song I have heard was “Ride the lightning” and I was infected from the first second. That was more then 35 years ago, and I’m still infected by the Metallica and Metal Virus. This Song changed my whole young life, and I am thankful for this song. Metal Music and being a Metal Fan is the best what can happen in your life. And I am thankful to be a part of this music scene from the very early days. It’s so funny to see how a Person reacts for the first time hearing a Metallica Song, which I know for over 30 Years, which I heard millions of times and where I know each note and detail. But when I listening to Ride the lightning I am still flashed and happy like a child getting x-mas present.I know “millions”of Metal Songs, but Ride the Lightning was my first Metal Song and I remember exactly my reaction. This is a memory for my whole life. Funny Story besides, I was alone at home, and listening to the Tape over my Dad’s “Hifi Music Tower” (mid 80 - hehe) - my parents came home late in the evening, and their young Son jumping around in the living room with a rotated Tennis racket and screaming and banging to ride the lightning. That was also the day where my parent must expect that they have now a Metal Manica in the Family

[@markdixon3987]

When he eventually gets to the Load album his reaction to mama said should be interesting. Especially after hearing their earlier stuff.

[@placidblack836]

Skip the LOAD albums ...

[@samsung2h521]

@@placidblack836 nah they are good in there own way

[@metallicaopinionz]

@@samsung2h521 load is one of my favorites! Underrated masterpiece

[@samsung2h521]

@@metallicaopinionz reload is the same way alot of gems on there

[@metallicaopinionz]

@@samsung2h521 I absolutely adore load and ReLoad both of them have a lot of Metallica's greatest stuff but I prefer load

[@chinmaysangoram1357]

As someone who plays the guitar, I'd say "creating" guitar solos(solos, riffs, rhythms et al) is purely about method in madness.. Finding tranquility in one's self created chaos..

[@captainfantastic3490]

Best Metallica song ever, it's definitely my favorite.

[@metalmellie4371]

I saw "Ride the Lightning" and had to click! BTW, his voice is different cause this is early Metallica, 80's man!!!

[@michaellatus2085]

This is actually the album that introduced me to metal. Not to mention it's my all time favorite Metallica album

[@Krankster666]

Same, saw someone in Jr. High with the album and thought it was a cool album cover, ended up buying it from a record store unheard, went home and put it on, blew me away, been a metal head ever since.

[@222MovieMan]

Yeah I like the good thrashy sounds so this album and kill em all are metallucas best albums imo

[@dustymetal4ever]

The red light and green light analogy is one of the best ways I've ever heard somebody sum up a Metallica song. Man, I loved your reaction to this one. Can't wait till the next one

[@jshippy2326]

Escape is such an underrated song

[@jacobpinkston7850]

And James hates that song

[@CreepyNeighbor666]

I don't know why so many people hate it. I always loved it. Been listening to this album for over 30 years and it's still really good today.

[@jacobpinkston7850]

Completely agree.

[@billybobtexas]

I love it. love the lyrics. I can understand why he doesn't like it... the Record company kinda wanted a slower song. what they got was this deep coming of age song. Gojira does a nice cover

[@penguin82875]

Kirk has always said the first 4-6 bars of his solos are written, then he improvises the rest

[@davidmccartney189]

Guitar solos are made in many different ways. All depends on the Dude playing.

[@kirkwahmett859]

Kirk may not be the cleanest guitarist but he's got the feel, that no one has

[@badq.concerts]

And all kirk hammett solos are made in the same exact way

[@gennyreese420]

...or the chic 🤘🏼💕🌻

[@222MovieMan]

@@kirkwahmett859 I like the feel Chris Poland has when playing

[@HanMoP]

@@badq.concerts yeah right. Whatever floats YOUR boat.

[@actavisprime514]

The music in this album and the artwork go perfectly together.

[@BreadstickAssassin]

Please react to the covers of "Am I Evil" and "Blitzkrieg" that metallica did! It's on the deluxe remaster of this album!! Both songs kick ASS!

[@pratikmandal1350]

Listening to this song changes a person, when you really focus on it. Ride is my all time favorite song and album. Can't wait for the rest of the album, keep it up Alex.