Metallica — Ride the Lightning
Known pressings
56 distinct releases are catalogued for this album. Year, country, label and catalogue number are what identify a pressing — match all four before you buy.
| Year | Country | Label | Catalogue # | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | FR | Music for Nations | MFN 27 | Vinyl |
| 1984 | FR | Music for Nations | MFN 27 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1984 | GB | Music for Nations | MFN 27 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1984 | JP | NEXUS | K25P 501 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1984 | US | Elektra | 60396-1, 9 60396-1 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1984 | US | Elektra | 9 60396-4 | Cassette |
| 1984 | US | Megaforce Records | MRI 769 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1984 | XE | Roadrunner Records | RR 9848 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1986 | GB | Music for Nations | MFN 27 P | 12" Vinyl |
| 1986 | XE | Music for Nations | CD MFN 27 | CD |
| 1987 | CA | Elektra | CD 60396 | CD |
| 1987 | GB | Music for Nations | MFN 27 DM | 12" Vinyl |
| 1987 | US | Elektra | 9 60396-2 | CD |
| 1988 | JP | CBS/Sony | 25DP 5340 | CD |
| 1989 | AR | Vertigo, Phonogram | 838 140-2 | CD — Industria Argentina |
| 1989 | AU | Vertigo | 838 140-2 | CD |
| 1989 | DE | Vertigo, Phonogram | 838 140-2 | CD — BIEM/STEMRA |
| 1989 | ES | Vertigo | 838 140-1 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1989 | GB | Vertigo | 838 140-1 | Vinyl |
| 1989 | GB | Vertigo | 838 140-2 | CD |
| 1989 | IL | Vertigo, Helicon Records, Phonogram | 838 140-2 | CD — BIEM/STEMRA; Made in ABCD Music, Israel |
| 1989 | MX | Vertigo | 838 140-2, 838 140-2 (24) | CD |
| 1989 | MX | Metallica Inc. | CDEPR 1177 | CD |
| 1989 | XE | Vertigo, Phonogram | 838 140-2 | CD — BIEM/STEMRA, Made in France by PRS |
| 1989 | XE | Vertigo | 838 140-4 | Cassette |
| 1990 | US | Elektra | 60396-2, 9 60396-2 | CD |
| 1993 | AU | Vertigo | 838 140-2 | CD — 1993 Australasian tour gold edition |
| 1995 | CA | Elektra | CD 60396 | CD |
| 1995 | US | Elektra | 9 60396-2 | CD |
| 1998 | US | Elektra | 9 60396-2 | CD — manufactured by Olyphant |
| 2000 | US | DCC Compact Classics | GZS-1136 | CD — DCC Compact Classics |
| 2003 | JP | Sony Music Japan International Inc. | SICP 476 | CD |
| 2006 | CA | — | — | Digital Media |
| 2006 | JP | Vertigo | UICR-1053 | CD |
| 2006 | KR | Vertigo | 838 140-2 | CD |
| 2008 | KR | Vertigo | DP 0076 | CD |
| 2008 | US | Warner Bros. Records | 424636-1 | 12" Vinyl — 45 RPM Series |
| 2010 | JP | Vertigo | UICY-94663 | SHM-CD — remastered |
| 2011 | JP | Universal International | UICY-20223 | CD |
| 2013 | US | Blackened | BLCKND004-2 | CD |
| 2016 | CA | Blackened | — | Digital Media — remastered |
| 2016 | JP | — | — | Digital Media — deluxe / remastered, Mastered for iTunes |
| 2016 | US | Blackened | — | Digital Media — deluxe edition, Metallica store |
| 2016 | US | Blackened | BLCKND004R-1 | CD — Reissue, Remastered |
| 2016 | US | Blackened | BLCKND004R-2 | CD |
| 2016 | US | Blackened | BLCKND004RD-1 | 12" Vinyl — deluxe edition |
| 2016 | XE | Blackened | 00602547885227 | CD — remastered 2016 |
| 2016 | XE | Blackened | 00602547885241 | 12" Vinyl |
| 2016 | XW | Blackened | [none] | Digital Media — remastered |
| 2018 | JP | Blackened | UICR-1138 | SHM-CD |
| 2020 | US | Blackened | — | Digital Media |
| 2022 | US | Blackened | BLCKND004R-1 | 12" Vinyl |
| — | FR | Phonogram, Vertigo | 838 140-2 | CD — made in France |
| — | US | Elektra | 9 60396-2 | CD — Cinram pressing |
| — | XE | Vertigo, Phonogram | 838 140-2 | CD — BIEM/STEMRA; Made in France by PMDC |
| — | XW | Blackened | — | Digital Media — deluxe / remastered |
What to hunt
Ten editions worth chasing for this album, from the original first pressing to promo and audiophile issues.
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Original first pressing Vinyl
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" first press original vinyl
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Early country pressing Vinyl
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" early pressing vinyl
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Promo / white label Vinyl
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" promo white label vinyl
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Limited / numbered edition Vinyl
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" limited numbered vinyl
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Audiophile pressing Vinyl
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" audiophile vinyl pressing
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Early CD pressing CD
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" first press early CD
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Japan pressing CD
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" Japan CD pressing
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West Germany / early Europe pressing CD
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" West Germany early CD pressing
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Promo / sample CD CD
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" promo sample CD
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Audiophile / limited CD CD
Metallica "Ride the Lightning" audiophile limited CD