LOAD is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released June 4, 1996. It spent four consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard 200. The album has sold over 5 million copies in America, and is certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. According to drummer Lars Ulrich: "This album and what we're doing with it - that, to me, is what Metallica are all about: exploring different things. The minute you stop exploring, then just sit down and fucking die."
Released approximately five years after the commercially successful METALLICA, LOAD saw the band embrace a collective sound and identity closer to traditional heavy metal and different from their thrash metal roots. As on previous releases, the fourteen songs that would eventually make up the album began as rough demos created by principal songwriters James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich in Ulrich's basement recording studio, "The Dungeon." The band took over 30 demos into The Plant Studios in the spring of 1995 where they would work for approximately the next year. Once again, Metallica teamed up with producer Bob Rock, who had been at the helm during the recording process for METALLICA.
The songwriting dispenses almost entirely with the thrash metal style that characterized the band's sound in the 1980's. In place of staccato riffs, Hetfield and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett experimented with more blues-based tones and styles. Additionally, Ulrich adopted a minimalist approach to his drum recording, abandoning the speed and complex double bass patterns of previous albums, and using simpler techniques and playing styles.
Hetfield displayed a lyrical evolution as well, writing what many feel to be his most personal and introspective lyrics. "Until it Sleeps", the album's lead single, addressed his mother's losing battle with cancer, and "Mama Said" also explores his relationship with her. All of this marked a departure from the political and social overtones of albums like ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL and MASTER OF PUPPETS.
Metallica: James Hetfield (vocals, guitar); Kirk Hammett (guitar); Jason Newsted (bass); Lars Ulrich (drums).
Recorded at The Plant Studios, Sausalito, California between May 1995 and February 1996.
Produced by Bob Rock, James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich.
Track Listing:
1. Ain't My Bitch - 5:04 2. 2 X 4 - 5:28 3. The House Jack Built - 6:39 4. Until It Sleeps - 4:30 5. King Nothing - 5:28 6. Hero of the Day - 4:22 7. Bleeding Me - 8:18 8. Cure - 4:54 9. Poor Twisted Me - 4:00 10. Wasting My Hate - 3:57 11. Mama Said - 5:19 12. Thorn Within - 5:51 13. Ronnie - 5:17 14. The Outlaw Torn - 9:52
Load (1996) (14 TRACKS)
ReplyDeleteMetallica
Album Description:
LOAD is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released June 4, 1996. It spent four consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard 200. The album has sold over 5 million copies in America, and is certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. According to drummer Lars Ulrich: "This album and what we're doing with it - that, to me, is what Metallica are all about: exploring different things. The minute you stop exploring, then just sit down and fucking die."
Released approximately five years after the commercially successful METALLICA, LOAD saw the band embrace a collective sound and identity closer to traditional heavy metal and different from their thrash metal roots. As on previous releases, the fourteen songs that would eventually make up the album began as rough demos created by principal songwriters James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich in Ulrich's basement recording studio, "The Dungeon." The band took over 30 demos into The Plant Studios in the spring of 1995 where they would work for approximately the next year. Once again, Metallica teamed up with producer Bob Rock, who had been at the helm during the recording process for METALLICA.
The songwriting dispenses almost entirely with the thrash metal style that characterized the band's sound in the 1980's. In place of staccato riffs, Hetfield and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett experimented with more blues-based tones and styles. Additionally, Ulrich adopted a minimalist approach to his drum recording, abandoning the speed and complex double bass patterns of previous albums, and using simpler techniques and playing styles.
Hetfield displayed a lyrical evolution as well, writing what many feel to be his most personal and introspective lyrics. "Until it Sleeps", the album's lead single, addressed his mother's losing battle with cancer, and "Mama Said" also explores his relationship with her. All of this marked a departure from the political and social overtones of albums like ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL and MASTER OF PUPPETS.
Metallica: James Hetfield (vocals, guitar); Kirk Hammett (guitar); Jason Newsted (bass); Lars Ulrich (drums).
Recorded at The Plant Studios, Sausalito, California between May 1995 and February 1996.
Produced by Bob Rock, James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich.
Track Listing:
1. Ain't My Bitch - 5:04
2. 2 X 4 - 5:28
3. The House Jack Built - 6:39
4. Until It Sleeps - 4:30
5. King Nothing - 5:28
6. Hero of the Day - 4:22
7. Bleeding Me - 8:18
8. Cure - 4:54
9. Poor Twisted Me - 4:00
10. Wasting My Hate - 3:57
11. Mama Said - 5:19
12. Thorn Within - 5:51
13. Ronnie - 5:17
14. The Outlaw Torn - 9:52