Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984, by the independent record label Megaforce Records. The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at the Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The artwork, based on a concept by the band, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band logo. The title was taken from a passage in Stephen King's novel The Stand. Although rooted in the thrash metal genre, the album showcased the band's musical growth and lyrical sophistication. This was partly because bassist Cliff Burton introduced the basics of music theory to the rest of the band and had more input in the songwriting. Instead of relying strictly on fast tempos as on its debut Kill 'Em All, Metallica broadened its approach by employing acoustic guitars, extended instrumentals, and more complex harmonies. The overall recording costs were paid by Metallica's European label Music for Nations because Megaforce was unable to cover it. It was the last album to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and the first to feature contributions from his replacement, Kirk Hammett.
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California by drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, and has been based in San Francisco, California for most of its career. The group's fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive musicianship made them one of the founding "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer. Metallica's current lineup comprises founding members Hetfield and Ulrich, longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. Guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassists Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted are former members of the band.
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. The group was formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers – drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell – along with lead vocalist Terry Glaze. Bassist Rex Brown joined the band the following year, replacing Tommy D. Bradford, who was the unofficial original. Having started as a glam metal band, Pantera released four albums during the 1980s. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera replaced Glaze with Phil Anselmo in late 1986 and released Power Metal in 1988. With its fifth album, 1990's Cowboys from Hell, Pantera introduced a groove metal sound. Pantera's sixth album, 1992's Vulgar Display of Power, exhibited an even heavier sound. Far Beyond Driven (1994) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Rabbit Don't Come Easy is the tenth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 2003. It is the first Helloween album to feature Sascha Gerstner on guitars, who replaced Roland Grapow. No drummer is listed in the band line-up for this album. Mark Cross was hired for the position before recording, but only managed to complete two tracks before being forced to leave due to illness. Mikkey Dee of Motörhead played on the rest of the songs on a session basis. The Japanese version contains a cover of Accept's "Fast as a Shark," with the band's new drummer, Stefan Schwarzmann.
The Dark Ride is the ninth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 2000. The album's style was quite different from Better Than Raw as it had a much darker sound, very tuned down guitars, and gruffer vocals. The album was produced by renowned figures Roy Z and Charlie Bauerfeind. It is also the last studio album to feature guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch, both of whom were fired after completion of the supporting tour for the album. They went on to form the band Masterplan.
Reel Music is a compilation album featuring a selection of songs by the Beatles that were featured in their films. The album was released on 22 March 1982 in the United States and the following day in the United Kingdom – almost simultaneously with the theatrical re-release of the film, A Hard Day's Night, which had been "cleaned" and re-edited with stereo Dolby sound. In the US, Reel Music peaked at number 19 on Billboard's albums chart.
Alive II is the second live album by American hard rock band Kiss, released on October 14, 1977 by Casablanca Records. The band had released three albums since the previous live outing, the 1975 release Alive!, and the band drew upon the variety of new tracks, with Eddie Kramer producing.
"Master of Puppets" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica, released in France only on July 2, 1986 as the only single from the band's 1986 studio album of the same name. It was also issued as a promo single in the US by Elektra Records.
Death by Sexy is the second album by the American rock group Eagles of Death Metal. It was rumoured to be released in summer 2005 but was pushed back to April 11, 2006.
Live Innocence – The Power & the Glory is a DVD released by heavy metal band Saxon in 2003. This DVD has combined two VHS videos released in the late 80's: Live Innocence released in 1986 and Power & The Glory, The Video Anthology released in 1989.
"Saturday Night Special" is a song by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It is the opening track on their album Nuthin' Fancy. The song addresses the issue of gun control.
Andreas "Andi" Deris is a German singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of power metal band Helloween, and co-founder and former lead singer of German melodic metal band Pink Cream 69. He has an active solo career, as well as his own recording studio in Tenerife.
"Fear of the Dark" is a song by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Written by Steve Harris, the band's bass player and primary songwriter, it serves as the title track to Iron Maiden's 1992 album Fear of the Dark.
Face the Day is the sixth and most recent album from rap, metal, and funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. It is the first Spyz album in more than a decade, recorded two years after their reformation in 2003. Guitarist and vocalist Jimi Hazel and bassist Rick Skatore return with a new drummer, Tobias Ralph.
Advance and Vanquish is the second studio album by Canadian heavy metal band 3 Inches of Blood. It was released on September 28, 2004, and was their first release by Roadrunner Records. It is the only release by the band to feature bassist and drummer Brian Redman and Matt Wood respectively, and the last to feature original guitarists Sunny Dhak and Bobby Froese who later went on to reform their previous band Pride Tiger. The cover art was illustrated by Edward Repka who has also designed album covers for such acclaimed bands as Megadeth and Death.
"Talk Dirty to Me" is the second single from American glam metal band Poison, originally from the album Look What the Cat Dragged In. It's the band's first big international hit, a staple at their live shows, and VH1 ranked it the 40th greatest hard rock song of all time. It is considered a glam metal classic and is often heard on rock radio stations around the globe. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's first top 40 hit in the United States. The single has since been certified platinum.
Enforcer is a heavy metal band formed in 2004 in Arvika, Sweden.
A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal Vol. I and A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal Vol. II are tribute albums, both released in 1997 by Century Media Records. It includes several rock and metal bands such as Helloween, Overkill, Saxon, Heavens Gate, Blind Guardian, Mercyful Fate, and Iced Earth, covering songs by British heavy metal band Judas Priest. Some of the songs included in this album have been previously released by the artists.
Bring Heavy Rock to the Land is the seventh studio album by Norwegian singer Jørn Lande's solo band, JORN.
