Metallica - LOAD Album Review

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Metallica gave us LOAD after a 5 year wait. While most people found this album to be a load of something....there's some good stuff on here. Then again, people look at this album and curse it for not being thrash metal in vein of their elder work, but if you can strip yourself of that doctrine and look at the album as a hard bluesy rock album with a metal shell...its not terrible. But that's also a lot of mental work, so tis sometimes easier to just signal this the downfall of Metallica.

[@PabloPucciOK]

Load and Reload are great albums

[@stormageddon9930]

Just Load, not Reload

[@deathpuicmetal]

Moronic metal fanboys be like : Metallica lowers the tempo -> they are sell-outs Metallica plays thrash metal again -> Fan service

[@Hydrograd57]

Really enjoy this album. I just hate it when people say "if Cliff were still alive they wouldn't have done Load/ReLoad." Those people obviously don't know what they're talking about.

[@FuckNirvanafangirls]

Your avatar takes away all credit. St.Anger is horrible (No Guitar solos, garbage drummer, and horrible vocals). Yet you said that if burton was alive he wouldn't let load and reload happen and yet your avatar has the st.anger album....

[@YoDawgoneeleven]

I hate when I see people blaming Jason for the change in direction. Yup. Blame the new guy who had a total of 0 writing credits on Load.

[@Hydrograd57]

Fuck Nirvana fangirls So my argument is invalid because of a fucking avatar? Hahaha okay. Seriously though, if you really believe Cliff would've hated the direction they went you don't know shit about Metallica or Cliff for that matter.

[@FuckNirvanafangirls]

***** No, i'm saying if you hate the metallica after they released the black album then why do you have the St.Anger logo as your pic? It doesn't make sense to me lol.

[@Hydrograd57]

I think you read my comment wrong man. I'm saying that even with Cliff alive, they WOULD have gone the same direction they did. And I never said I didn't like them after The Black Album, I said I enjoyed this album. I can see why many people don't since it's not "thrash" but I like the way they experimented a bit with something else (maybe that's because I enjoy all types of music). As for St. Anger, I like the album, but I will admit it is definitely their worst (it's my avatar because I think the fist looks cool). James' vocal were...bleh. Lars' snare sound bothered me at first, but I got kinda used to it after a while. I don't mind the "no solos" as much as many others do either. I get what they were trying to do. After watching their Some Kind of Monster documentary I respected it a lot more. They're my favorite band and always will be. But I will admit one thing, Lars fucking SUCKS.

[@GJBedrin]

bleeding me is metallicas most underrated song

[@coverkillernation]

+George Bedrin I'm very inclined to agree with this.

[@thefilmeffect6089]

I agree, along with The Shortest Straw from ...And Justice For All.

[@mightynemesis94]

+The Film Effect i persoally find shortest straw to be really boring lol probably my most skipped song on ajfa lol its an awesome song but doesnt really get stuck in my head lol

[@thefilmeffect6089]

+Marcelino Guillen That's Eye Of The Beholder for me.

[@hinjurock]

There are some fucking GREAT Hard Rock/ Metal songs on "Load" such as "Until It Sleeps", "Bleeding Me", "Wasting My Hate", "Thorn Within", "Cure", "The Outlaw Torn", and "The House That Jack Built" - just because it's not raw Speed Metal like "Kill 'Em All" or more polished technical Thrash Metal like "Master Of Puppets" and "... And Justice For All" doesn't mean that it's not good shit.

[@ThierryRocksTV]

King Nothing and Hero of the Day too

[@tenbrise7168]

HinjuRock it just means it's not Metallica...

[@zeroz69]

After you listen to St. anger Load sounds like a fucking masterpiece

[@emmarossignol4445]

Load is a fucking masterpiece. Regardless if you listen to St. Anger.

[@ThierryRocksTV]

+Robert Rossignol Preach!

[@Mart1927]

AsbestosChapel St. Anger is a masterpiece.

[@darkmaster4535]

The Outlaw Torn is my favorite Metallica song.

[@spinnincrash2761]

Costco Hot Dogs Mine Too :D

[@reyshakquit]

load and reload is country metal

[@ness21785]

reyshakquit hmm......I wouldn’t say they’re country metal, it’s more hard rock with blues, country, Grunge, and alternative rock influences

[@elgatofelix8917]

Load reminds me of Danzig Lucifuge

[@CrackBeaver]

@@ness21785 grunge? how?

[@JayT851]

If load and reload were done by any other band then old Metallica fan boys would like it

[@amadeusbirthingman7606]

Take the best tracks from the Load and ReLoad period and you have my favourite Metallica record

[@SG-qx1fg]

I love Load and Reload for what they are. They’re not the first four albums…but they’re not meant to be. If people stop being stubborn and just take the album for what it is, they’re solid albums. There are definitely some weak moments for sure, but the albums are absolutely solid.

[@ozzer2010]

This is my favourite Metallica album

[@BronzDano]

Load is an excellent album, and I think the second half if awesome, "cure" waisting my hate" mama said, the thorn within, the outlaw torn" all outstanding tracks all on the second half. I think ain't my bitch and 2x4 were the weakest tracks on the album, nevertheless I'm glad their on there as well. Load IS on of my favorites and I've been a huge fan since 89'....

[@davidmcdougall9925]

Load, was alright, but after that metallica kinda sucked, then st. anger killed metallica, they came back in Death Magnetic

[@edking1088]

James: every day for us something new Lars: open mind for different view Kirk: nothing else matters? jason: not play metal .... I'm out

[@philzwhip]

I adore metallica. but, while RTL and MOP are their best albums, my own struggles with gin have made load and reload, mostly fixxxer, extremely important to me.

[@philzwhip]

and bleeding me is without a doubt the best song on load.

[@HornsAndHalos]

The most underrated Metallica album ever! I don't all the hate on this album. It's really cool, my third favorite.

[@SamShadow93]

I'm not a huge Metallica fan, but when I do listen to them my albums of choice are Kill em' All and Load. Polar opposites, I know… Maybe that's why I'm drawn to them.

[@Rekko82]

The main problem of this album is that there are only few songs I can say are good: King Nothing, Until It Sleeps, and Mama Said. I used to like Ain't My Bitch but after many years I think the song is actually quite boring. Some of the tracks are average and there are also tracks that are simply poor.

[@YoDawgoneeleven]

I think if Load and Reload had been combined into 1 album they'd be great. Alone it think they're just good albums bogged down by filler (who thought Bad Seed was a good idea?) This would be a top 3 Metallica album for me: 1. Until It Sleeps 2. King Nothing 3. Fuel 4. The Memory Remains 5. Hero of the Day 6. Bleeding Me 7. Ain't My Bitch 8. The Unforgiven II 9. Low Man's Lyric 10. The Outlaw Torn

[@LiamMHennessey]

I liked the riff for bad seed.

[@HelloZukoHere7]

1: Fuel 2: The Memory Remains 3: King Nothing 4: Bleeding Me 5: Until It Sleeps 6: The Unforgiven II 7: Thorn Within 8: Low Man's Lyrics 9: Where The Wild Things Are 10: The Outlaw Torn would make One Hell of a good album. The only problem with Combining the two is that all the good Songs are Slower.

[@Rodrigombia1990]

Where's fixxxer?

[@vincentthiffault7900]

1. Hero 2. Bleeding 3. Wild Things Are 4. Memory 5. Fuel 6. King 7. Unforgiven 2 8. Sleeps 9. Mama 10. Carpe I prefer load

[@suprapike]

Need both albums. Ronnie too good to cut. Lowmans lyric is amazing. 2x4 too good to cut ...

[@ilovebutterstuff]

This one's a Mandela effect for me, cuz I distinctly remember hearing it in 95... and hating it. I remember my friends playing it throughout 96 and telling them to "change it to Testament" ... These are fond memories, and I really don't think they are mistaken.

[@c.a.rodgers4101]

Hey man just discovered you! Awesome show man! I'm going through a Metallica kick right now. I agree with you on the Load and Reload stuff! Down to bleeding me being in my top ten Metallica songs. I really loved the s&m version as well. Though my favorite track on Load has always been outlaw torn. The solo is beautiful it's as if Kirk is melting guitar strings with his fingers. I'm a nerd I know. Anyway I love what you have to say and I can't wait to check out more of your stuff

[@jazzmaster909]

Metallica(Black Album), Load and Reload are a very good choices for getting people into metal, they just need to find (or maybe you can let them hear) that "certain song" that speaks to them.

[@thx1974eb]

I remember June of 96 buying this album and was blown away how different Metallica sounded. From the band I first heard in 1987 to 1996, it hit me right in the chest in a bad way. But then I got to the song The House That Jack Built, Bleeding Me and Outlaw Torn, those three songs are great, I didn't care about their haircuts or lame photos in the album, Load was a great sounding album, it sounds great on a really good high end stereo system really loud. the guitars split up in the front.

[@Beholder505]

They should have taken the two take out all of the filler, and put together one semi decent album.

[@KBizzy]

I had huge issues with load/reload when they came out. 1. Hetfield's overly ambitious vocal direction. All sorts of odd "ow ow's " and vocal tails going on, whilst singing in a corny sounding baritone voice that he'd never done before. 2. The riffs...extremely simplified and repetitive. That's fine, but it seemed to me that they went in that direction so they didn't have to think as much. 3. The abrupt and in-your-face image shift. They all cut their hair, and began wearing designer clothes, with Hammett and Ulrich wearing makeup and nail polish for starters.

[@KBizzy]

@pat Orr, here's the thing. For those of us that are old enough to have been fans of the band before the black album, Load was really the final straw, as the band clearly completely changed their entire sound and image. Now I don't know about you, but I'm only a fan of any artist because of their music, period. And what Metallica did was do a complete 180•. So when they went from being a band that bashed music videos and glam rock and guys like Kip Winger to a band that suddenly wore eyeliner, took shirtless photos, and made video after video, yeah, it stunted my interest in them for sure. Combine that with the complete change in musical direction. (Really? A country song?) and there you have it.

[@Phantom-kc9ly]

Kay Bizzy really poor decision making skills.

[@OVER1970DGDR]

Dig this album.

[@breadman2438]

Load and Reload grow on you. It’s different. I think it’s better than 90% of nu metal. It’s near the bottom of my album ranking but I don’t hate them. King Nothing, Outlaw Torn, Fuel, Where the Wild Things Are, Unforgiven II, Fixxxer, Bleeding me, Hero of the Day, Ain’t my Bitch, The House Jack built, would have been a top 5 metallica album no doubt, there’s just a little too much filler on both albums. I’d make the cd in this order 1: Fuel 2: King Nothing 3: Outlaw Torn 4: Bleeding Me 5: The House Jack Built 6: Fixxer 7: Hero of the Day 8: Ain’t My Bitch 9: Unforgiven II 10: Where the Wild Things Are (mellow you out, ending album with a good guitar solo) Don’t tell me you wouldn’t enjoy that album.

[@OhNyo69]

Wow. You pretty much summed up my opinion of Load exactly. Master of Puppets it is not, but a very underrated album IMHO.

[@joelbroncos]

Load is actually my second favourite Metallica album. Didn't like Re-Load that much but I really liked Load a lot. 2x4 is my favourite Metallica song. Ronnie has a good riff IMO.

[@deathpuicmetal]

Yeah Ronnie is an awesome song. It's southern country blues style makes it sound so badass. Just like Cure (my favorite on load) and Poor Twisted Me.

[@joelbroncos]

Poor Twisted Me is my 3rd.

[@ThierryRocksTV]

Hero of the Day makes me happy for some reason.

[@bjorksarmpits148]

LynnRamos you are an idiot

[@joelbroncos]

You have a great day also!

[@debonaire_nerd]

The album that started it all for me. It may not be the popular opinion, but 1990s Metallica will always be my Metallica.

[@zwareshag]

Yeah, but they wouldn't receive more money if one album is not a double type of record but a slightly different one; hence the ''RE'' in the load title, which actually means that officially they sell 2 albums instead of one because an album is worth more than an EP.

[@NickCADA]

This song has some of the greatest lyrics within Metallica entire discography.

[@Silentwitness1978]

Although there are some shit songs the good ones are so good that it's my favourite album. Looking forward to when Metallica become comfortable enough to play them at a live gig.

[@thefilmeffect6089]

I love Load/Reload. There is some filler on both records, but there is some all time great Metallica songs, too. It just makes me feel better, knowing that if they released one album with the best songs, it would've been a masterpiece up there with their 80's records.

[@lamentate07]

There was a lot of hype for 'Load' after the Black album, and it didn't even come close to living it to expectations. I don't remember meeting anyone that loved it at the time. Some fans tried to make excuses for it, and it's a perfectly listenable album, but it was really nothing special then or now.

[@kyleruthstrom5439]

Not the best riffs or memorable chorus' or solos or anything but Load and Reload had some of James' best songs writing wise. 'Tallica stepped it up songwriting for those albums

[@viktorlord7606]

1. Ride the lightning. 2. The black album. 3. Master of pupets. 4. And justice for all. 5. Death magnetic. 6. Load. 7. Reload. . ..st. anger doesn't even make a list

[@gore21best]

Bleeding me and the outlaw torn are 2 of the best songs that get forgotten by ‘fans’ that think everything after ajfa or black album is shit. That being said; Cure, thorn within, poor twisted me and ronnie shouldve been left off

[@viktorlord7606]

I was 12 when load was released. .I loved it at the time. .it got me curious though and I went back and found how awesome all the previous albums were. I prefer the older ones now

[@mikesgtrs1]

LOAD is an ok album ,and I do believe if it wasn't for load ,metallica may not have survided the grunge era

[@Lyka-clock]

There was a way for them to branch out and add different musical styles without completely changing everything they had built up until that point. There amazing at progressive thrashy metal with classical elements. Not so amazing w/ the alternative bluesy hard rock thing. There are some good quality songs on Load and Reload for sure. There's just way too much blandness mixed in. They could've made one shorter good record and been done with it.

[@diegobenavente8058]

Guitar tone in this album exudes early Danzig in my humble opinion...

[@jasonvoorhees9036]

They're not though, they're good songs. The only reason people hate it is because it's Metallica and it's different.

[@thefilmeffect6089]

I prefer Reload to Load. Load is more of the southern hard rock with blues influences. Reload feels alot more like classic hard rock with some blues influences. I just hate those almost country songs on Load. Reload is just a tighter album.

[@mangy2fly604]

My _VIVIsectVI_ CD is 1hr 7min, and no issues. It's from 2004.

[@wetley09]

The reason people dont like this album including me is that its just not Thrash. If you like Thrash metal and Metallica for that reason and they quit making thrash metal your gonna be dissappointed. Havent been into them since. I respect them but theyre just not heavy anymore. Kirk was such a better player before this album. I cant stand his playing now. If you dont like them now its not hating, it just doesnt do anything for me after Justice.

[@amirmasood88]

DAMN RIGHT bro. Totally agree

[@chabomorphosis]

True.

[@NolocoLawrence]

Phil Anselmo should hear your thoughts.

[@raptorjesus6198]

*ROCK*

[@oi_mate613]

I don't think these albums are bad because they are rock and not metal, I hate them because they are just bad music

[@viktorlord7606]

Don't forget about the house jack built. .very interesting guitar work

[@viktorlord7606]

Bleeding me is fucking awesome. . Heard it the other day on radio lol

[@xqyz]

They are awesome songs.

[@eXdXgXe4life]

Wait...they have an album past black?

[@roger767]

I agree, too many fillers.

[@MattsMovieReview]

mixed feeling on this album. However Load is way better than Reload.

[@raps17]

I like it as a rock album not a metal album.

[@FinalFantasyFan12100]

This is probably the best review of Load that I've seen yet!

[@NolocoLawrence]

Enter the sandman sucks but that's just my opinion. I know many like it. I understand it's a great mainstream track. I just IDK never really interested me.

[@Kruegerisgod]

Shows how much you know

[@NolocoLawrence]

?

[@NolocoLawrence]

Your response lacks input

[@Kruegerisgod]

***** First of all, you are entitled to not like the song and the song's name is Enter Sandman not Enter the Sandman. Many like the song because it is a great, driving piece of Heavy Metal music. Then, you say that it's a great mainstream track which makes no sense at all to bring up if you don't like it. The last sentence also did not make much sense You wrote down I just IDK never really interested me. To me that sounded rushed and forced

[@kittymom2]

Kruegerisgod I thought what he said made perfect sense. Its a good song, in turns of MAINSTREAM metal, not the metal that was introduced initially by Metallica such as No Remorse or Fight fire with fire, when they were unknown to most. Its called having an open mind and being unbiased.

[@ranmore30]

absolutely, Load and Reload condensced into one would have been insane

[@suprapike]

Load and reload condensed would have had me missing ronnie and 2x4. No fuckingnway

[@austinmarcott3405]

Loads fucking amazing I like pretty much every song lol

[@nastymetalproductions2195]

I actually like "Load" but i have not listened to the album in a long time. anyways, good review.

[@ghostwhiskey]

What are your thoughts on Alice In Chains and Soundgarden? I'll be subbing after I get through these

[@SuperMetalmanic666]

Haha agreed, I was just about to say that.

[@H.E.M.]

They had both great songs I wished they just got the best songs from both and load would’ve been a badass album

[@xqyz]

You think like that because it seems that your musical vision is about Thrash Metal.

[@PLACIDBLACK]

I was waiting one day to hear their new single from this anticipated album I was very excited ... Sooo " until it sleeps " came on the radio and yea ... I was like WTF is this shit !!... this is it ?!! this is what I've been waiting for !!?? ..

[@shockofhyperbole]

What about Kill Em All?

[@charlesstrong4853]

8:53 excuse me! I am a Metallica fan, and Load contains the top two songs on my list of favorite songs (Until it Sleeps and King Nothing), and the worst song on it for me is mediocre. It's probably my 3rd favorite Metallica album after Black Album and Master of Puppets.

[@georgechalazonitis4081]

Good album but my fave after thrash period is reload

[@thefateshavewarned]

Load is a load, although not as much as Reload.

[@artkeelsme4710]

Am I the only one finding fuel a dumb track? I like Load, bleeding for instance me is emotional and heavy

[@JThrashYT]

I think all the music on Road and ReLoad could have been cut down to just one album... and that album would have been awesome.

[@Jammsbro1]

Load is their best and boldest work.

[@Jammsbro1]

As for Outlaw Torn having been cut? Let's face it, the full version offers nothing and the album version ended in the correct place.

[@Albee213]

I like all types of music and have grown to like Load/Reload after forcing myself to listen to them many times... After saying that, these records are total garbage and should have never been made PERIOD. This was a hard time for thrash metal fans, Megadeth SUCKED too, Anthrax wasnt really around, all the less succesful bands were just about dead and then there was Slayer and Pantera... Keeping it real.

[@falseflag42]

Michael Romeo😅

[@pwjhubers]

I love load and reload

[@Thorntreed41]

I love the album.

[@katana2635]

After the black album, Metallica went nuts

[@xqyz]

Okay dude, music is about perspectives after all.

[@metalvocalistwanted]

I always thought it was a good album.

[@vasquezg86]

I think the influence of making Load and Reload came from the rock genres from the time they were both made in. There was a whole lot of Grunge style then. And more so about lyrics and alternative sounds. I think they did a good job of keeping their new sound hard and keeping it "Metallica". I love both albums. Fans can appreciate their music as long it's "Metallica", and not JUST "80's-thrash-heavy-metal".

[@chris92945]

I love this album. Sue me.

[@SuperRenegadeOutlaw]

Reload reload reloaded

[@romneycareful]

Worried about KISS in the 90's? LOL

[@ghostwhiskey]

My mistake,you did say Kirk

[@jasonvoorhees9036]

Load and Reload are solid albums. They have filler, but they still have great songs. Sorry bro.

[@XPurpleVortex]

Load? Yeah load of shit...

[@Eccentricjuices]

I like load, but reload...uhhh eh

[@zeldash3ro]

Dude, you're from Pennsylvania?

[@WeAreMetal666]

Yeah I like thrash but I'm critical of a band I love when they make shitty music. Load and Reload are fucking shit. My opinion. When Metallica went off into another direction they're music started to sound shit and they wanted to appeal to different audiences. Fuck that.

[@ThierryRocksTV]

Great album

[@richardoranger8774]

This album would be truly great if they kept Cure,Mama Said, 2x4, Poor Twisted Me and Ronnie was not on the album.

[@Acid4Blood]

Now do a metal album

[@JoshLikeCrazy]

It would be absolutely insane for people that have as much skill as Metallica to play one genre for 30 years. It's called progression.

[@WeAreMetal666]

their*

[@TheStrongBoyz19]

I find these types of albums decent.

[@basanistes359]

Tard and Re-Tard. Albums they should have never done. The Black Album was the last Metallica album.

[@Stereotype23]

+The Devil I wouldnt want to be without Fuel, Memory Remains, Devils Dance, Bleeding Me, Outlaw Torn... to name a few. Yeah theres a lot of songs on those 2 albums that should have been b-sides but the top bunch would make an album very worthy of the Metallica name.

[@basanistes359]

Stereotype23 Actually.....no. That shit is hard rock at best. And I like it as such. Metallica is metal and they should play METAL. That shit isn't metal.

[@Stereotype23]

+The Devil They are a diverse metal band which is a quality. If you want the same shit every time then Slayer is the band for you. My problem with Load/Reload was not the sound or style, only that about half the songs were not that good and more like well produced demos.

[@basanistes359]

Stereotype23 That's why Slayer is a better band. Like AC/DC they don't compromise their sound. I don't buy a Metallica album to listen to Garth Brooks. If I wanted that I'd Buy Garth Brooks.

[@Stereotype23]

+The Devil Thats where we disagree. You see it as compromising their sound - I see it as being creative and brave. Slayer and AC/DC are to me far inferior bands to Metallica because of this. They take zero risk with their sound and are just not very interesting bands to me at all.