Metallica's sixth studio album, first released by Elektra in June 1996, here on the two LP Blackened Recordings reissue, catalogue BLCKND011-1, first issued in 2014. It was recorded between May 1995 and April 1996, mostly at The Plant in Sausalito with further sessions at Right Track in New York, and produced by Bob Rock with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. It spent four consecutive weeks at number one on the US Billboard 200.
At 78 minutes and 59 seconds, Load is the band's longest studio album, and this edition spreads it across four sides. The Outlaw Torn had to be shortened by a minute to fit that running time; its full 10:48 version came out later on the single The Memory Remains. It is also the record on which Metallica moved further from thrash toward hard rock: Kirk Hammett plays slide guitar on Ain't My Bitch, Hetfield plays the guitar solo on The House Jack Built through a talk box and adds pedal steel to Mama Said, and Jason Newsted plays fretless bass on Until It Sleeps, the band's first top ten single on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The cover is a 1990 photographic work by Andres Serrano, and the band photography is by Anton Corbijn.
Tracklist
Side 1
- Ain't My Bitch
- 2 X 4
- The House Jack Built
- Until It Sleeps
Side 2
- King Nothing
- Hero Of The Day
- Bleeding Me
Side 3
- Cure
- Poor Twisted Me
- Wasting My Hate
- Mama Said
Side 4
- Thorn Within
- Ronnie
- The Outlaw Torn
Release details
| Artist | Metallica |
| Album | Load |
| Format | 2 x LP |
| Label | Blackened Recordings |
| Catalogue | BLCKND011-1 |
| Produced by | Bob Rock with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich |
| Engineer / Mixed by | Randy Staub |
| Recorded | The Plant, Sausalito, and Right Track, New York |
| Cover art | Andres Serrano |
| Photography | Anton Corbijn |
| Original release | Elektra 61923-1, June 1996 |
| Condition | New, factory sealed |
| Genre | Hard rock and heavy metal |
Frequently asked questions
How many records are in this set?
Two LPs across four sides, carrying the complete album. The hype sticker notes over 78 minutes of music.
Is this the 2025 remaster?
No. This is the earlier Blackened reissue, catalogue BLCKND011-1 with barcode 856115004644. The remastered LP issued in June 2025 carries catalogue BLCKND011R-1 and a different barcode.
Is the record sealed?
Yes, it arrives factory sealed and unplayed.
Sealed and brand new, shipped from our Bangalore stockroom with a stiffener and a fitted mailer so the sleeve corners survive the journey. If you are new to the format, our record player buying guide covers what you need to play it.
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