Metallica‘s 1996 album, Load, has achieved a remarkable comeback on the UK charts, with its newly released deluxe box set propelling it to the top spot on the Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart. This resurgence nearly three decades after its initial release underscores the enduring impact and renewed appreciation for the five-times platinum album.
Originally hitting number one on the overall UK Albums Chart upon its debut on June 4, 1996, and charting for 22 weeks, Load was Metallica‘s second chart-topping album in the UK, following the monumental success of Metallica (often dubbed The Black Album). The recent deluxe edition’s success extends beyond the rock-specific chart, securing positions as high as No. 5 on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart and No. 6 on both the Official Album Sales Chart and Official Physical Albums Chart.
This comprehensive reissue, part of Metallica‘s ongoing catalog remastering initiative, offers fans an in-depth exploration of the Load era. Produced by Bob Rock, the album itself features fan favorites such as “Until It Sleeps,” “Hero Of The Day,” and “King Nothing.” Notably, the deluxe edition also presents, for the first time ever, the original extended version of “The Outlaw Torn,” a track previously edited due to manufacturing limitations of the time.
The Load deluxe box set is a collector’s dream, weighing over ten pounds and boasting an astounding 301 total tracks, with 245 of them previously unreleased. This expansive collection includes:
- The remastered Load album on both 180-gram double LP and CD.
- A “Mama Said” picture disc.
- Three live LPs for an immersive concert experience.
- Fifteen CDs packed with rare material, including unreleased demos, rough mixes, B-sides, and additional live performances.
- Four DVDs featuring unreleased content such as live shows, behind-the-scenes footage, and television appearances.
- An MP3 download card for all audio.
- A wealth of memorabilia, including two replica tour laminates, an 11″ x 17″ Lollapalooza poster, a Pushead patch, an 8″ x 10″ Rolling Stone Magazine cover print, a five-pack of guitar/bass picks, a unique pack of 14 Rorschach Test cards, and a lyric folder with sheets.
- A 128-page hardcover book filled with never-before-seen photos and stories from those intimately involved in the album’s creation.
