Metallica - Load

'Load'... one of the most controversial albums of all time!

'Load' marked a total change of direction for Metallica.  They started adding in Alternative Rock to the mix, cut their hair, altered their image... heck they even played the decidedly un-Metal Lollapalooza tour!  Indeed at this time they were dubbed 'Alter-nica'

At the time Hard Harry412 didn't really think these changes were that great, but looking back now I can see why Metallica did what they did.  Alternative Rock was taking over the air-waves, they had made Thrash Metal music in the same vein for several albums in a row.  The guys probably just felt they needed to change to stay viable and vital.  (It should be noted that even Van Halen went in this direction by releasing the 'darker then usual' 'Balance' around the same time)

And really is 'Load 'that bad?  Heck I would rather listen to 'Load' then Nickleback or whatever other contemporary rock is out there now.  Ugh, Nickleback... how far we have fallen.  Heck I would even listen to 'Load' before I would listen to Foo Fighers... and I really like Foo Fighters.  But Metallica brings that Heaviness, with a dosage of Alternative Rock, with 'Load' that Foo Fighters lacks.

'Load' features some excellent songs that are amongst the best that Metallica had done.  'Ain't My Bitch', '2 X 4', and 'King Nothing' are totally heavy!  However the B-side of this album is where one can feel that Metallica sort of lost their focus.  It truly is a B-side, whereas before on almost every previous Metallica release the entire album would be all killer/ no filler.  There are some interesting B-side songs though such as 'Mama Said' which finds them experimenting with country music and this song would eventually even be issued as a single!

Overall 'Load' has stood the test of time.  Most contemporary Metal or Hard Rock acts wouldn't be able to touch the A-side material on this album and really only the other Thrash bands Megadeth or Slayer have put out better albums since 'Load'.