METALLICA — Load (review)

Album · 1996 · Heavy Metal

5/5 · 2014-07-19
aglasshouse

"Load" is the sixth studio album released by Metallica in 1996. "Load" is the follow-up to the million-dollar making "Black Album/Metallica". Many people were dissapointed by Load, but honestly, I can say that this is easily my favorite Metallica album. Like "RELoad", "Load" I feel is bashed way too much for being different. That is why I am here to share my own opinion.

1. Ain't My Bitch

'Aint My Bitch' is a more fast paced song compared to the other songs on the album, and is honestly very catchy. The vocals easily run along-side the riffs and the drums. The song slows every once in a while, until it quickly regains it's speed. The song is very fun to listen to, yet not one of my favorites. (8/10)

2. 2x4

After 'Ain't My Bitch', '2x4' is a much slower song compared to the former. The riffs and drums still have that sort of groovy feel, which is not bad. In fact, it makes songs like these just absolutely fun to listen to. Unlike 'AMB', this track doesn't have as much groove or overall change. However, it does still have a great bouncy feel to it. The vocals sound much more ominous when paired with other deeper voices. Not as great as 'AMB', but still fun to listen to. (8/10)

3. The House Jack Built 'The House Jack Built' starts off with slow heavy guitar notes, but eventually gains speed after Hetfield cries "Let the show begin..." and the song gets extremely heavy and awesome. Another fun listen, but not as great as other songs from the album. Just a little slow for my taste. (7/10)

4. Until It Sleeps

'Until It Sleeps' is probably the weakest track on the album. The song is very slow throughout, and overall has not much change. When the song gets slightly faster, it gets decent. However, when jumping from slow to fast isn't a great experience all the time. (6/10)

5. King Nothing

This is where the going gets good. The band gets their old feel back with this song and gives you a good shot of the old Metallica feel. You are treated with a long intro which is just leading you to something awesome, and you are treated with it. "Aren't you satisfied?" The lyrical value and vocals themselves sound like the real Hetfield, however the guitar is combined with slower and heavier to make a very enjoyable song. Definitely my favorite song on the album, and probably my favorite in all of Metallica's history. (10/10)

6. Hero Of The Day

After the more heavy 'King Nothing', the power ballad 'Hero Of The Day' comes in to sweep you off your feet with slow and calmer guitar. Slightly retaining the old Metallica feel, the song still is able to use a mix of calm and heavy to make something amazing. The lyrics flow amazingly well alongside the chords and riffs. You are eventually treated to the climax of the ballad and are just absolutely blown away. (10/10)

7. Bleeding Me The slightly shorter of the two epics on the album, 'Bleeding Me' comes out to be one of my favorite epics of all time. The calm ambience combined with Hetfield's voice along side the constant rhythm of the song gets you into a mood of slowness, but you are instead greated with heavy chords and angry lyrics. The song is never the same, constantly and smoothly changing to create one great song. (10/10)

8. Cure

Coming back with "Load"'s jazzy feel, 'Cure' is brining you again back into the original rhythm of the album. Not as much work was put into the song, which gives it that classic Metallica feel alongside the groove of "Load"'s style. (9/10)

9. Poor Twisted Me

'Poor Twisted Me' is another weak track on the album. There are more guitar breaks and more drumming, however the vocals just get more annoying in this song. Not going anywhere, 'Poor Twisted Me' is probably the weakest track on the album. (5/10)

10. Wasted My Hate

Again, 'Wasted My Hate' gets you in the more jazzy tempo different from other Metallica songs. Probably the fasted song from the album, 'Wasted My Hate' uses great vocals, percussion, and guitar throughout the song. Enjoyable to say the least. (8/10)

11. Mama Said Now here is the only horrible song on the album. 'Mama Said' takes Metallica's sound and combines it with some country lunacy. Pretty obvious already, but those two should not be mixed. Enough said. (0/10)

12. Thorn Within Not much to say about 'Thorn Within', besides that it has nice heavy chords and slow drums to go along side eachother, other than that however, the song is pretty generic. (8/10)

13. Ronnie

Here is a good song to headbang to. Very nice beat and tempo. Constant guitar in the backround alongside nice double vocals from Hetfield and Newsted. (7/10)

14. The Outlaw Torn The longer of the two epics, 'The Outlaw Torn' takes the spot as last song on the album. 'The Outlaw Torn', unlike 'Bleeding Me', however, does not share the same cheeriness and charm as the latter. In fact, the song is pretty boring in the area of guitar, vocals and percussion. (6/10)

Overall, we shouldn't hate on "Load" just because it's different. Not all Metallica albums have to blast the flesh from your face with every note, and this album is a good example of that. Just listen to it with an open mind and enjoy!