Metallica is reissuing their divisive sixth studio album, Load, with an expanded box set re-release on June 13, featuring demo versions, live recordings, and extended takes.
Rreleased in 1996, Load received positive reviews but stirred controversy among fans due to the band’s less heavy sound and new appearance, especially their short hair.
Drummer Lars Ulrich acknowledged the backlash: “With Load, it was disappointing that some people’s reaction to the music was biased by how they dealt with the pictures – the hair and all that crap.”
Load was a global success, reaching number one on 19 countries’ album charts, with singles like “Until It Sleeps” becoming the band’s highest-charting song on the US Billboard Hot 100.
