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Rating: THE REVIEW
1994/5/6: After the worldwide success of their self-titled album dubbed the "Black album" because of its distinctive black pigmentation, Metallica took a break before heading into the studio to record a new album. In 1994, they began coming up with song ideas. The idea of the four was to make a double album... But the idea didn't work out, so they decided it was better to separate the albums and release them one at a time. The first album to see the light was the controversial "Load."
"Load" is a controversial and complex album because it has the complexity of Metallica but it is not thrash metal; rather, it is a mix of hard rock blended with blues. The result, in my opinion, is the musical maturation of Metallica. Others may very well consider this CD nothing but a betrayal by Metallica, who despised the music business, yet now were part of it. Many things can be said about "Load," but I think no one will ever say the right thing. For now, I limit myself to reviewing it by expressing my opinion on this platter.
(For the review, at least for this album, a "track by track" is mandatory)
Ain't my bitch: rating 6
The new Metallica wants to open the album with this song. The track is aggressive but miles away from the aggression of songs like "No Remorse" or "Master of Puppets" or even "Disposable Heroes." That said, the first track of "Load" is not bad and is worth listening to.
2X4: rating 5+
While the prelude to this album wasn't bad, the second song, this 2X4, dashes any good intentions. The track in itself is nice, but it bears no resemblance to the "Black album" or old Metallica.
The house that Jack built: rating 6+
This track is very, very nice because it picks up old '70s sounds like Black Sabbath and carries them into the new Metallica's sound. Also noteworthy is Kirk Hammett's genius: he uses the legendary vocal box during the solo.
Until it Sleeps: rating 6+
One of the most beautiful songs on this album. The intro is dark and conceals something mysterious. The listening flows like water, and this is one of the many problems of "Load": the listening is too easy, even for 10-year-old children.
King Nothing: rating 7+
The best song on the album is "King Nothing." Aggressive and powerful, in "Load" style, but much more aggressive for the standards of this CD.
Hero of the Day: rating 4-
A very banal song, empty and devoid of any meaning... It almost seems as if Metallica didn't write this track... but instead, they did.... The main riff makes this song sound like a jingle for a commercial... and that's all I have to say....
Bleeding Me: rating 6+
This is the most complex piece on the album. It combines the complexity of Metallica with the ease of listening to "Load." With this long song, the four want to demonstrate that they're not completely dead; although the track has more progressive elements than metal...
Cure: rating 1
The worst song ever written by Hetfield and company... This piece is utterly horrible, and even a 9-year-old would refuse to listen to this crap.
Poor Twisted Me: rating 0
In terms of lyrics, Metallica is present, but in terms of music "manco pe' niente".... in other words.... This "Poor Twisted Me" is even worse than "Cure."
Wasting My Hate: rating 5
A song with hard rock elements, not bad for this album but definitely insufficient for Metallica.
Mama Said: rating 5
A completely acoustic song (!!!!!!!!!!!) and I'm amazed by the fact that the track was written by Hetfield & Ulrich. Yes, because these two gentlemen composed songs like "Enter Sandman", "Seek and Destroy" and now they compose the western ballad "Mama Said...."
Thorn Within: rating 3
Another barely listenable if not completely unlistenable track... The song is badly constructed as well... Avoid it.
Ronnie: rating 6+
Really nice song this "Ronnie" that conceals blues and hard rock with Hetfield's typical angry dog voice that helps to roughen this song. Especially nice are Hammett's phrases.
The Outlaw Torn: rating 5
Closing song stuffed with wah-wah and moreover without meaning... It's 9 minutes of repetitiveness.
Conclusion: an album that barely reaches sufficiency if compared to the "Black album," but still a NONalbum of Metallica... 3 stars are well deserved...
Greetings from Kissarmy
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Summary by Bot
The review of Metallica's Load reflects on the band's stylistic shift from thrash metal to hard rock and blues influences. It provides a detailed, track-by-track critique, highlighting standout tracks like 'King Nothing' and criticizing weaker songs such as 'Cure' and 'Poor Twisted Me.' Despite its mixed reception, the album marks Metallica's musical maturation but remains divisive among fans.
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. They rose from the Bay Area thrash scene with early albums like Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning, achieved mainstream success with 1991's Metallica (The Black Album), and have released a long-running and often debated catalog since.173 Reviews
Other reviews
By cliffburton86
We need to be objective: 'Load' is not worthy of the name Metallica, it is not worthy of belonging to the discography of the greatest metal band ever.
Metallica has always evolved... This album may or may not be liked, because it did indeed distance many fans, but it also gave many the opportunity to approach Metallica and gradually even the more powerful metal.
By El minchia
Inside each of us is an equally green fool, and to unleash it, we don’t need fucking gamma rays but rather to listen to any album by these four American pricks after the Black Album.
Start the album, and the muscles will start bulging, the member will burst through your underwear, and an inhuman cry will rise above what these four babblers want to pass off as music.
By Deviljin
Load is the most experimental album of their career, pushing beyond their normal standards to stay creative.
Bleeding Me is hypnotic and evocative, one of the best pieces ever written by Metallica.
By Rage
This album seems sincere, heartfelt, a change they owed to themselves, being consistent with themselves even at the expense of the audience.
It’s been ten years since I last spoke with the Metallica. They are like those jerk relatives whom you always revered... and who at some point turned their backs on you.
