Metallica - Load (Remastered) (2020) [Hi-Res]

Load is the sixth studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica, released on June 4, 1996 by Elektra Records in the United States and by Vertigo Records internationally. The album showed more of a hard rock side of Metallica than the band's typical thrash metal style, which alienated much of the band's fanbase. It also featured influences from genres such as Southern rock, blues rock, country rock and alternative rock. Drummer Lars Ulrich said about Load's more exploratory nature, "This album and what we're doing with it – that, to me, is what Metallica are all аbout: exploring different things. The minute you stop exploring, then just sit down and fucking die". Load is the first of Metallica's albums to feature only three songwriters, the other being 2016's Hardwired...To Self-Destruct. At 79 minutes, Load is Metallica's longest studio album.

Over twenty million records sold in the U.S. alone. Sold-out tours worldwide. Zealously dedicated fans. A sound copied by many, matched by none. It all adds up to one simple fact: Metallica is the biggest band in the world. Period. Load is Metallica's first album of all-new music in five years and the follow up to the biggest-selling hard rock album of the '90s. Certified at 4 million units by the RIAA. (11/97)

"With Load, Metallica takes a dramatic left turn with their music, continuing in the direction suggested by Metallica, their previous album. The songs on Load have groove; they're slower, with far fewer of the lightning-fast riffs that have been Metallica's trademark since their inception. While songs like "Ain't My Bitch" and "Wasting My Hate" are up-tempo and full of the vitriol one would expect from the quintessential heavy metal band, "2 X 4" is hard rock with a blues beat, "Hero of the Day" sounds positively mainstream, and "Mama Said" is an actual, honest-to-god ballad. While some diehard fans may find this mix unappealing, there's plenty to like about this album, including its laid-back, rhythmic orientation, and James Hetfield's characteristic growl tempered by his growing maturity as a vocalist." (Genevieve Williams)

James Hetfield, vocals, guitar
Kirk Hammett, lead and rhythm guitar
Jason Newsted, bass
Lars Ulrich, drums

Recorded May 1, 1995 – February 1, 1996 at The Plant, Sausalito, CA
Produced by James Hetfield, Bob Rock, Lars Ulrich

Digitally remastered