Load - Metallica

JGuy Grungeman · 02-25-2016, 11:19 PM

You may know that Load is a generally despised album by Metallica fans. Why? Well, blues, southern rock, and other oddities to thrash are experimented upon in this album, making for a weird sounding addition to the Metallica discography.

But does that mean it's bad? No. In fact, Metallica does a fairly good job at trying some new things out, even though they are clearly better as a metal band. At first, the album sounded weird to listen to for the bluesy sound. This was a thrash band writing blues rock. But I kept in mind that Metallica was attempting to reinvent themselves for the mainstream since their success with The Black Album. So it's not fair to compare this to thrash. In fact, some of the greatest band ever are great because of diversity. Look at the Beatles. They started with mod/merseybeat music, and then steered into psychedelia drugged up music where they collaborated with Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar. And they ended their band with pop rock. They had more, though. And what about Eno? He's famous for art rock and ambient. And lets not forget piano blues/experimental/singer songwriter man Tom Waits who enjoyed mainstream success forever.

So Metallica's attempt at reinventing themselves only shows they are trying to be more creative and more suitable for changing audiences. But the thing is... did they succeed? In my opinion, it's not that bad. The album was just shortly after they hit the mainstream, so they can't change too much within one album's time, even though this and Black are 5 years away. The album starts out weird with the blues sound, but getting used to it was easy. I think if people keep in mind this is new Metallica, then it should be easier to like. Sure, the die hard Metallica fan may not want to hear new Metallica, but the thrash scene was ending. Metallica made a smart move. They are widely renowned for their songwriting abilities. There is a lot of thrash out there, but when mentioning the big four of thrash, the first is usually Metallica since they reached mainstream success faster ans easier than the others due to their radio-friendly sound on The Black Album.

So, the album's sound is basically nerfed Metallica. By that, I mean it's definitely Metallica, but a couple of exceptions. First of all, this is a hard rock album. Second of all, it's not very solo based despite it's heavy sense of rhythm which Metallica is known for. Third of all, it takes a new turn. Some songs have a bluesy undertone. A couple have a Southern undertone. Actually, that reminds me of Rolling Stones. The album managed to pull these sounds off without Metallica flat-out embarrassing themselves. And even if they did embarrass themselves a little, their reputation is not somewhat tarnished like Peter Frampton's reputation once he released the Sgt. Pepper movie, or Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music (he later went on to collaborate with Lulu, Metallica's supposedly worst album). And sure, Metallica released that, but that was long after they could really damage there reputation forever. One could easily say Metallica's golden days are over, and that's really all I see in this album. They were going into new territory for money, and that would go for better or for worse. I think it went somewhere in the mid. And if one still doesn't think going for a more mainstream audience was good, keep this in mind... they weren't a grunge band. Imagine that. Metallica as a grunge band.

As a reiteration, the album wasn't really a "hit" or "miss." It was in the middle.

85/100

8.5/10

**Janszoon** · 02-26-2016, 04:40 AM

I appreciate the fact chat they were trying to do something different, but Load just isn't a good album. Most of the songs are bland and forgettable.

JGuy Grungeman · 02-26-2016, 01:06 PM

Forgettable, I guess. But it wasn't that bland. I mean, I have heard far blander songs.

**Frownland** · 02-26-2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGuy Grungeman

Forgettable, I guess. But it wasn't that bland. I mean, I have heard far blander songs.

I've heard Phil Collins's solo work as well, Kenny G too, but that doesn't help Metallica's case.

Paul Smeenus · 02-26-2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGuy Grungeman

Forgettable

That's about the kindest way I would describe it. I will give 'em one thing, it's well named. It is, in my estimation, a "Load". Of what is another matter.

JGuy Grungeman · 02-26-2016, 01:27 PM

A load of songs that shouldn't be compared to the past thrash metal albums since it's a completely different kind of album.

**Frownland** · 02-26-2016, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGuy Grungeman

A load of songs that shouldn't be compared to the past thrash metal albums since it's a completely different kind of album.

On here at least, you're crusading against an imaginary army with that point.

Paul Smeenus · 02-26-2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGuy Grungeman

A load of songs that shouldn't be compared to the past thrash metal albums

No one was, least of all me. I'm talking about the album that was made, not the one that wasn't. Different doesn't necessarily equal good js

Dr_Rez · 02-26-2016, 01:57 PM

You could illegally download the album and make Lars really angry.

**Frownland** · 02-26-2016, 01:58 PM

Or you could buy the album and make yourself and your wallet really angry.

02-25-2016, 11:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
JGuy Grungeman Primo Celebate Sexiness Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 2,662	Load - Metallica You may know that Load is a generally despised album by Metallica fans. Why? Well, blues, southern rock, and other oddities to thrash are experimented upon in this album, making for a weird sounding addition to the Metallica discography. But does that mean it's bad? No. In fact, Metallica does a fairly good job at trying some new things out, even though they are clearly better as a metal band. At first, the album sounded weird to listen to for the bluesy sound. This was a thrash band writing blues rock. But I kept in mind that Metallica was attempting to reinvent themselves for the mainstream since their success with The Black Album. So it's not fair to compare this to thrash. In fact, some of the greatest band ever are great because of diversity. Look at the Beatles. They started with mod/merseybeat music, and then steered into psychedelia drugged up music where they collaborated with Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar. And they ended their band with pop rock. They had more, though. And what about Eno? He's famous for art rock and ambient. And lets not forget piano blues/experimental/singer songwriter man Tom Waits who enjoyed mainstream success forever. So Metallica's attempt at reinventing themselves only shows they are trying to be more creative and more suitable for changing audiences. But the thing is... did they succeed? In my opinion, it's not that bad. The album was just shortly after they hit the mainstream, so they can't change too much within one album's time, even though this and Black are 5 years away. The album starts out weird with the blues sound, but getting used to it was easy. I think if people keep in mind this is new Metallica, then it should be easier to like. Sure, the die hard Metallica fan may not want to hear new Metallica, but the thrash scene was ending. Metallica made a smart move. They are widely renowned for their songwriting abilities. There is a lot of thrash out there, but when mentioning the big four of thrash, the first is usually Metallica since they reached mainstream success faster ans easier than the others due to their radio-friendly sound on The Black Album. So, the album's sound is basically nerfed Metallica. By that, I mean it's definitely Metallica, but a couple of exceptions. First of all, this is a hard rock album. Second of all, it's not very solo based despite it's heavy sense of rhythm which Metallica is known for. Third of all, it takes a new turn. Some songs have a bluesy undertone. A couple have a Southern undertone. Actually, that reminds me of Rolling Stones. The album managed to pull these sounds off without Metallica flat-out embarrassing themselves. And even if they did embarrass themselves a little, their reputation is not somewhat tarnished like Peter Frampton's reputation once he released the Sgt. Pepper movie, or Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music (he later went on to collaborate with Lulu, Metallica's supposedly worst album). And sure, Metallica released that, but that was long after they could really damage there reputation forever. One could easily say Metallica's golden days are over, and that's really all I see in this album. They were going into new territory for money, and that would go for better or for worse. I think it went somewhere in the mid. And if one still doesn't think going for a more mainstream audience was good, keep this in mind... they weren't a grunge band. Imagine that. Metallica as a grunge band. As a reiteration, the album wasn't really a "hit" or "miss." It was in the middle. 85/100 8.5/10 __________________ I'm a pretty nice troll if you ask me.

02-26-2016, 04:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I appreciate the fact chat they were trying to do something different, but Load just isn't a good album. Most of the songs are bland and forgettable. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm Last edited by Janszoon; 02-26-2016 at 04:45 AM.

02-26-2016, 01:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
JGuy Grungeman Primo Celebate Sexiness Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 2,662	Forgettable, I guess. But it wasn't that bland. I mean, I have heard far blander songs. __________________ I'm a pretty nice troll if you ask me.

02-26-2016, 01:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
JGuy Grungeman Primo Celebate Sexiness Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 2,662	A load of songs that shouldn't be compared to the past thrash metal albums since it's a completely different kind of album. __________________ I'm a pretty nice troll if you ask me.

02-26-2016, 01:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,360	You could illegally download the album and make Lars really angry. __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew

02-26-2016, 01:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	Or you could buy the album and make yourself and your wallet really angry. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x