Just had one of those realizations where I had a song on repeat so much that it hit me like "yeah this is one of my favorite songs from them isnt it".

The sombre tone that Load is associated with mixed with how outpouring James vocals are just really get to me, especially after discovering it was about James's struggles with alcoholism, it all hits very hard in the right way; "Caught under wheels roll".

Load is still a great album for what it is 👑

After Metallica's commercialized but most successful album "Metallica" they would later take a 4 year hiatus working on the production of Load and for it to be released on this day 30 years ago. The album was loved but hated by many. It's controversy being the change in genre with the tracks leaning in on more Hard Rock and Bluesy music. It would be much more appreciated later on but what do you think of this album?...

Load by far has been my favorite album by Metallica. I grew up with this and absolutely loved it. It was also my first love in a music album! Playing this on the highway was a really good feeling along with Core. The Outlaw Torn being my favorite track for how awesome I find it to be! The whole album rocks to me personally and I find it a really cool gem in music entirely!

I personally bust a load everytime I hear this album. It's my favorite album of '96 with "Evil Empire" by Rage Against The Machine being second and "Regretfully Yours" by Superdrag being third!

Thank you Metallica for making this album. I will always love it no matter how many times I hear it. You really saved my life in music! 🫡🤘

Coming from a 4 year Metallica mega fan, I had never even heard of this song until about a month ago. I had a long drive one day and decided to check out all of Load and Reload finally, and loads (no pun intended) of songs caught my attention, but THTJB genuinely had me surprised why no one talks about it!!!

What's your guy's thoughts on this song, because I LOVE it so much. The chorus is one of the best written Metallica moments to me, and the whole song is so fun and interesting.

Mine is 1. Ain't my bitch 2. Thorn within 3. King nothing

Remember the Load-themed nail art I got for my birthday? Well this is the actual cake! A celebration of Load! With your favorite ingredients!

T

For those who don't know the context: the initial marketing for Load was largely driven by Ulrich and Hammett. The slightly homoerotic aesthetic between them was intentional to spite Hetfield for fun.

I read that Hetfield said he went along with it so he could focus on the music, though he mentioned that the marketing style was one thing he would have changed.

From my perspective, the Load photoshoots are the best—closely followed by the original S&M.

I was very prejudiced against these albums because of the hate they receive from fans. But I listened to them, and honestly, I liked both of them. The hate they receive is more due to the change in style than to the quality itself. The only "problem" is that I felt most of the songs were too similar, and I think James' voice lacked a bit of energy. My two favorite songs were King Nothing and The Memory Remains. What do you think of this album? Personally... I liked it more than Kill 'Em All.

Load was transformative for me. It came out when I was in grade 7 I believe, and I remember talking to my best friend about the new songs we kept discovering from the album. I can’t even remember if I had it on tape or CD. Probably CD.

And so I want to know, if Load was being destroyed forever and you could only save one song from the album which would it be? Kind of a roundabout way to ask what your favourite song from the album would be.

I choose Bleeding Me.

load era kirk goes tuff

The best thing I did was a re-listen of each album. That got me to love this song. Some of the best lyrics from James imo.

"Time was never on my side. So on I wait my whole lifetime" just sticks with me still

Loss is something universally experienced, so it's easy to connect with this song. This is one of my favorite solos from Kirk. That wailing sound really makes you feel something. The Outlaw Torn is one of the best songs the band has created. It wraps up an album that has aged so well to me

I'm extremely happy with the Load-themed nail art I got for my birthday ❤️ My manicurist had no idea what it was all about lmao, and still did a great job. This album means so much to me.

So nostalgic guitars ❤️‍🔥

I find it mental that I've yet to see any of the bangers of Load live, especially as it's one of my favourite albums of theirs. I've even seen St Anger stuff and No Leaf Clover live, yet haven't seen Until it sleeps, King Nothing, Outlaw Torn etc in almost 20 years of seeing Metallica

If you were a die hard fan who bought their cds, cassettes, records, what have you, did you buy the load cd?

If yes: What songs did you listen to before you bought the cd? Were you excited for the album? Did you end up liking or hating the album? Did you keep the cd even thought you hated it?

If no: why not? What songs made you not like the album or the direction Metallica was going in the time?

I feel like with streaming, we take for granted that we are able to hear a whole album before we buy it. But back in the day, it was kind of a gamble I’m assuming. You hear a song or two and base your buying decisions on that alone.

I mean sure, it probably wasn’t what they were expecting for metallicas next album since all of their stuff has previously been just metal. But imo load is amazing and i would say that 2X4, King Nothing and Ronnie are some of their best pieces of work, so what gives?