! had a bit of a fucked up childhood, tried to take my life twice by the time I was graduating middle school. If not for this song specifically I'd have prolly tried even more times. Playing this song gave me an odd comfort, the sorrow I was feeling was soothed by the guitar while the lyrics assured me I was not alone and I could get through it. The aggressive nature of the music is where I put all my violent thoughts and let them flow right out of me. It was the late 80s and early 90s. a lil group in Washington called The parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was trying to get songs like this and other metal and rap songs banned or at the very least censored. Yet without this song I might not be here commenting on your reaction to it.
I feel you. You are not alone. I never considered or went the way of taking myself out but I was disappointed in my experience in youth. Ride the Lightning was one of my favorite albums in the 1980s. Then I was 19. I've had PTSD since 1990. I will never be able to fully share why and how I nearly lost my life in mortal combat, but will always be thankful for the music that reminds me of better times and Metallica is a member of that club for me.
I’ve heard/read so many similar comments about this song over the years. What a powerful track, and how great it is that you’re still here and you know that you’re not alone.
This was my favourite album in 1987 when I was 15. I had Ride the lighting written on my sneakers when I had the final meeting with the lead cancer doctor who confirmed I had osteosarcoma in my right thigh which had been bothering me for months. I underwent 12 months of chemotherapy, had my leg amputated above the knee. The chemotherapy damaged my hearing with tinnitus and kidneys got a blow by the cisplatin as well. 35 years later I unlike all my fellow patients am still alive, but at this very moment in the hospital undergoing dialysis which I have been doing three times a week since 2015. Niceto watch your channel while sitting here before I walk home three hours from now. Been a Metallica fan since before Burton died just 100 miles from my home after concerts here in Scandinavia.
For me, the lyrics express so well that feeling one has after losing a loved one. When you feel a bit lost, untethered to usual daily routine. The music underscores the emotion exquisitely.
Not a bad song on that whole album. I got the album when it came out, and saw them play it live on that tour. At the time the venue only held about 3400 people, jam packed in there. One of my favorite songs, and albums.
Saw them on a smaller arena in Seattle on The Master of Puppets tour with the new bassist Jason. Best concert ever. I was at Binge and Purge concert on Justice for All and that was amazing but that first in the smaller venue was ABSOLUTELY MAGICAL
Kudos to you! 🤙😎🤟 IMHO I believe that you are one of a “small” group of reactors that have noticed that the music and the instruments are just as important at conveying a message as are the lyrics. I like to use the analogy of thunder to lightning. The bright flash gets your attention, but it’s that deep rumble that sets the mood.
Speaking of slower songs by Metallica- give the " Unforgiven" & "Sanitarium" a listen. Both are really enjoyable. 👊🤘 Also- if you enjoy instrumentals, Metallica did/does that well. My two faves are "Orion" & "To Live Is To Die." Both are emotional, especially the latter. 💕
Todays expirience you got is that Metall is the modern version of Classic Music because its built on it^^ Like Peter and the Wolf a classic very sad that a lot of people still not seeing it the worth of this music for your own way of thinking and feeling the World
Oh, kids. Gen-X metalhead here. Always loved this song. Never failed to hit me. You get older, though. You suffer losses. I can't get through the second verse without a trembling lip anymore. My heart's in my throat by the third verse. Breath starts hitching with the solo. Then the solo reaches the climax and I'm a sobbing fucking mess. I'm probably going to be useless for the rest of the afternoon, now. I'll go make me a coffee in a minute, and that might help. But I'll tell you something I believe deeply: As long as this song continues to wreck me, I think I'll be alright. I'll start to worry if it ever _doesn't_ hurt. Knowing it won't do to dwell, I'm going to suggest, arguably, that the emotional polar opposite of this song is _What's that Noise?_ by Stormtroopers of Death. Search for it here on RU-vid if you have a literal sixty-second minute to spare. First time I heard that song was in a buddy's garage with the door up on a beautiful sunny day, and not even midway through _What's that Noise?_ I was laughing too hard to keep my feet. Is that clear to you? I was _literally_ *R* o l l i n g *O* n t h e *F* l o o r , *L* a u g h i n g . Now, _your_ mileage may vary, but it was the first time I realized metal could be funny. I was so humorlessly serious about metal in those days, too. Also _Down with the Ship_ by Scatterbrain.
@SyedRewinds as a fellow history buff you will love Metallica's first 5 albums. Many of the songs lyrics are based on actual events in history. Again, loving your reactions.
The one lyric that stands out the most to me in this song is “I was me but now he’s gone”. Kinda like how life changes your perspective on things and you wish you had that innocence again
This is an all-time classic. You were lost in the sauce during that guitar solo outro.. Wait until you get to Master of puppets. You're going to lose your mind
If you will have any time i suggest to watch as a addition a live "Fade to Black" from 1989 Seattle concert. Definitely the best live version of this piece. Just stunning!
i really enjoy your reactions. I dont know if you already did a reaction to "creeping death" from metallica but if you didn´t you should listen to it. You should also listen to some songs from Ramstein. For example "Du Hast", "Sonne" or "Deutschland". Greetings from germany ✌🤙
These guys were awesome when they were still an opening band. I saw them the first time in 1986 when they were touring with and opening for Ozzy at Riverbend at the end of the summer. Unlike a lot of opening bands, I never forgot who they were and have seen them twice more.
Damn it! You caught the crying guitars but not the heartbeat in the outro. The double kicks mimic racing, defib, and flatline. Once you hear it, it is so flipping obvious!
Dude, Metallica got a lot of hate in the 90's. They wrote some of their best on load and reload. Listen to some of the newest stuff that ain't so new anymore. The stories are just as good. " Rub the patch and battle on" I love that line. Confusion, check it out
As tragic and sad as depression and suicide are, the fact is that for many, there is no other way to have peace. Death is the ultimate equalizer, no matter what high, or low, a person has experienced, or is experiencing.
Not sure if I'm a new sub or just a lurker however I for sure really enjoy your reactions man. You actually listen with an open mind. Not to mention you actually LISTEN. Great content my dude! I thoroughly enjoy your channels! You should try some song from Pantera(the album Cowboys from hell) when you are done with metallica.
Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, ...and Justice for All. That's really the Meat of Metallica. Kill 'em All has some great tracks like Cliff Burton's bass solo, but other than that its mostly riffs they stole from their former lead guitarist and founder of the band Megadeth, Dave Mustaine. If you really want to get into metal songs exploring mental illness, check out some Megadeth.
'The Unforgiven' is my all-time favorite from Metallica....it is such a haunting and beautiful ballad...you may have the best reactions on YT...keep up the good work
Not many people get the musicality in this song, how it mirrors, the loss and agony and depths of losing his will to live. Nice one our kid, absolutely cracking reaction to an absolute masterpiece of music.. I love hop too, but I'm a full blown metal head and it's not getting any better than this.. Keep it up mate, I'm gonna have a look at some others you're doing..😎🤟
You listened to all their earlier thrash at this point, hope you can really keep it going and remember what you heard with this video. So amazingly talented this band
