Takin’ a Trip to 1996 (feat. Griff)

Episode 5: Metallica’s Load (Elektra)

Released five years after their hugely successful self-titled album, Metallica released Load on June 4, 1996. At the time it was released I wasn’t a massive fan of the “Black Album,” but I took to Load immediately even though a lot of fans found it alienating. It was a massive departure creatively as the band took a bluesier approach to the music and a catchier, more mature approach to the lyrics. With their earlier albums Metallica seemed to have a more youthful exuberance, but with Load they finally had something worthwhile to say, for the most part, and Kirk Hammett’s guitar playing never sounded better. It wasn’t as flashy as it was on some of their previous outings, but it had a more subdued nature, which attributed to the overall feel of the album and is a standout feature on Load because of it. The experimentation of some of the songs is what I suppose disappointed many fans, but these were always the songs that made me like the album in the first place. From the bluesy, “Ronnie” to the slow but heavy “The Outlaw Torn” to the straight up country influenced “Mama Said,” Metallica proved they could do something out of the ordinary yet accessible even in light of the disappointing follow up/companion album, Reload. Besides, Slayer wouldn’t have the balls to do a country song.

Songs:
Poor Twisted Me
Cure
Hero of the Day
Ain’t My Bitch
The House That Jack Built
Ronnie
The Outlaw Torn
Mama Said
Wasting My Hate