NEW DOUBLE LP
New sealed copy. 2025 remastered reissue on 180 gram vinyl. Remastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, overseen by executive producer Greg Fidelman, and vinyl lacquers cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Housed in a gatefold jacket.
Load is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on June 4, 1996 by Elektra Records in the United States and Vertigo Records internationally. Recorded over the course of a year in Sausalito, California, with producer Bob Rock, the album marked a significant stylistic departure for the band. Moving away from their thrash metal origins, Metallica embraced a broader hard rock sound, incorporating influences from Southern rock, blues, country, and grunge. The change extended beyond music—band members adopted shorter haircuts, wore leather and makeup, and presented a new public image that drew both criticism and curiosity from fans.
Originally intended as part of a double album, Load was the first of two releases from the same recording sessions, with Reload following in 1997. The lyrics, largely penned by James Hetfield, were more introspective and personal than on previous albums, reflecting themes of identity, struggle, and transformation. Guitarist Kirk Hammett contributed rhythm parts for the first time, further shifting the band's dynamic.
The album’s cover art, a controversial image by Andres Serrano made from a mixture of blood and semen, underscored the band’s intent to challenge expectations. Despite mixed reactions from longtime fans, Load was a commercial success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and topped charts in more than 15 countries. Singles like “Until It Sleeps,” “Hero of the Day,” “King Nothing,” and “Mama Said” showcased the album’s range, with “Until It Sleeps” becoming Metallica’s first and only U.S. top ten hit. The band supported the release with the extensive Poor Touring Me world tour.
TRACKLIST:
A1 Ain't My Bitch
A2 X 4
A3 The House Jack Built
A4 Until It Sleeps
B1 King Nothing
B2 Hero of the Day
B3 Bleeding Me
C1 Cure
C2 Poor Twisted Me
C3 Wasting My Hate
C4 Mama Said
D1 Thorn Within
D2 Ronnie
D3 The Outlaw Torn
