Metallica

Released: July 27, 1984

Songwriter: Cliff Burton Lars Ulrich James Hetfield

Producer: Flemming Rasmussen

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
Do unto others as they've done to you
But what the hell is this world coming to?
Blow the universe into nothingness
Nuclear warfare shall lay us to rest

[Chorus]
Fight fire with fire
Ending is near
Fight fire with fire
Bursting with fear
We all shall die

[Verse 2]
Time is like a fuse, short and burning fast
Armageddon's here, like said in the past

[Chorus]
Fight fire with fire
Ending is near
Fight fire with fire
Bursting with fear

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Soon to fill our lungs, the hot winds of death
The gods are laughing, so take your last breath

[Chorus]
Fight fire with fire
Ending is near
Fight fire with fire
Bursting with fear

[Outro]
Fight fire with fire, fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire, fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire, fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire, fight fire with fire, fight

Like Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden before, Metallica has managed to transcend the genre from which it was originated. To their metal fanbase they are considered one of the Big Four bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer; however Metallica is also one of the most commercially successful bands in all of rock music, having sold 110 million records including the 16x platinum Metallica, which stands as both the highest selling metal album of all time and most successful album of the past 25 years.

Metallica was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles after drummer Lars Ulrich placed an advert in the classifieds newspaper The Recycler, which was answered by singer/rhythm guitarist James Hetfield. They were soon joined by lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, who later formed Megadeth after being kicked out of the band because of his substance and alchohol abuse, and bassist Ron McGovney, a childhood friend of Hetfield. These two early members were replaced with Cliff Burton (who relocated the band to San Francisco) and ex-Exodus lead guitarist, Kirk Hammett to form the band’s classic line-up.

The band released three albums, 1983’s Kill ‘Em All, 1984’s Ride The Lightning and 1986’s Master of Puppets before the tragic and untimely death of Cliff Burton on September 27th, 1986.

more tracks from the album

Ride the Lightning

From the album

Ride the Lightning (1984)

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