There are few albums as influential on the world of heavy music as Metallica‘s 1984 sophomore effort Ride the Lightning. Not only did the record break the band through to a more widespread audience, it also expanded the ways in which thrash metal could address really human experiences. Now, one artist has decided to reimagine the songs of Ride the Lightning as a series of intense oil paintings.
The paintings comes from artist Felipe Mora’s project Dealing Out The Agony, which already released a successful run of paintings based on Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All. Now, Mora is releasing a new series based on the record’s follow-up, which will drop as a series of prints contained in a record sleeve.
“It will look and feel like a vinyl record — but inside will contain eight 12×12 inch prints of pure visual violence and mayhem,” says the project’s official description. “Dealing Out The Agony will become the perfect accompaniment to the music itself. Pour over the artworks as the music fills your ears, stick them on a shelf with all your other vinyls..literally limitless opportunities of fun is ready to be had!”
“Ride the Lightning was one of my favorite albums growing up,” adds Mora. “I would close my eyes and come up with visuals in my head while listening to ‘Creeping Death’ or ‘Trapped Under Ice’ – it’s great to be able to pick up a brush and put down these visions – it’s almost cathartic!”
The best part is, it’s all for a good cause — 60% of all Dealing Out the Agony profits will be donated (with an initial $1000 starting point donation) to the Children Hospital of San Vicente Foundation to help improve the quality of care and life expectancy of children dealing with cancer in Colombia. You can learn more about donating via their Global Giving page.
Check out the first paintings here:
Fans can preorder their copy of Dealing Out The Agony’s Ride the Lightning via the project’s IndieGoGo page. Check out a YouTube preview of the project below:
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Words by Chris Krovatin
