Metallica is taking fans on a trip down memory lane with the announcement of a special reissue of their iconic 1996 studio album, Load. The record, which went 5× platinum and sparked both acclaim and controversy upon its original release, is now set to return with new life—remastered, repackaged, and reintroduced to a new generation of metal fans.
Originally released on June 4, 1996, Load marked a bold departure from Metallica’s thrash metal roots. With a bluesier, southern-rock-infused sound, the album showcased the band’s willingness to evolve artistically. It featured hits like “Until It Sleeps,” “King Nothing,” and “Hero of the Day,” helping the record shoot straight to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earn its place as a defining album of the late ‘90s rock era.
The reissue, which will be available in multiple formats, including vinyl, CD box sets, and digital editions, is expected to feature fully remastered audio, unreleased demos, live recordings, and archival footage from the Load-era tours. For longtime fans and collectors, the deluxe box set is set to include exclusive artwork, a 120-page booklet, and rare behind-the-scenes photos from the band’s studio sessions.
In a statement posted on social media, Metallica said:
“Revisiting ‘Load’ was a reminder of how far we were willing to go to explore new sounds, emotions, and directions. It was raw, it was different—and we’re proud to bring it back with everything we couldn’t include the first time around.”
The reissue comes at a time when many legacy rock bands are reintroducing their classic catalogs to younger audiences, many of whom are discovering Metallica through platforms like TikTok and streaming services. For Metallica, who remain one of the most influential metal bands of all time, this is more than a nostalgia project—it’s an opportunity to reframe an era that was once divisive but is now widely respected for its boldness.
Load may have alienated some old-school fans in 1996, but time has been kind to the album. Its dark, layered sound and introspective lyrics feel more relevant than ever in today’s musical landscape. With the reissue on the horizon, Metallica is giving both fans and critics a second chance to appreciate a transformative chapter in their legendary career.
The special Load reissue is expected to drop later this year—because classics never die, they just come back louder.
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