METALLICA Cut Their Hair And Released 6th Album ‘LOAD’ Today 30 Years Ago
Significant longplayers from yesteryear
4 June 2026
Metal titans METALLICA released their
6th album LOAD on 4 June 1996, today
30 years ago.
The recording sessions were very productive, resulting in almost 30 songs being
recorded. While a double album was considered, the band decided to split the material into two albums; half appeared on Load, and the other half was released as Reload
the following year.
Metallica strayed away from their thrash metal roots in favor of a hard rock sound.
The group became influenced by non-metal artists during the writing process, resulting
in an array of musical styles such as Southern rock, blues rock, country rock, alternative rock,
and grunge.
Bam Magazine – 1996
They also changed their looks, which included short hair,
leather jackets, and make-up. Many fans disliked it.
Load received mixed reviews.
Q Magazine (British music monthly) said: “These boys set up their tents in
the darkest place of all, in the naked horror of their own heads. Metallica are
still awesome. What is new is streamlined attack, the focus and, yes, the tunes.”
The New York Times wrote: “For the first time, Metallica sounds as if
it’s looking over its shoulder, wondering where it fits in the era of grunge.”
Mixed reviews didn’t stop the album from becoming a global topper.
#1 in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and all over Europe.
LEAD SINGLE
ALBUM
