Editing Load (album)

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Load
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Metallica]]
| cover      = Metallica - Load cover.jpg
| alt        = White and red fluid in the shape of fire with the text "Load" (bottom right)
| released   = {{start date|1996|6|4}}
| recorded   = May 1, 1995 – February 1, 1996
| studio     = [[The Plant Studios|The Plant]] ([[Sausalito, California]])
| genre      = 
* [[Hard rock]]<ref>{{cite book|author1-first=Pete|author1-last=Prown|author2-first=HP|author2-last=Newquist|year=1997|title=Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists|page=226|quotation=The band re-emerged with Load, a less metalish and more hard-rock album that downplayed the group's previous headbanging.|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|isbn=0-7935-4042-9}}</ref>
* [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]<ref name="allmusic"/>
| length     = 78:59
| label      = [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
| producer   =
* [[James Hetfield]]
* [[Bob Rock]]
* [[Lars Ulrich]]
| prev_title = [[Metallica (album)|Metallica]]
| prev_year  = 1991
| next_title = [[Reload (Metallica album)|Reload]]
| next_year  = 1997
| misc       = 
{{Singles
 | name        = Load
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Until It Sleeps]]
 | single1date = May 21, 1996<ref>{{cite web|title=Until it Sleeps|url=https://metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4300/until-it-sleeps|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=August 7, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092103/https://metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4300/until-it-sleeps|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | single2     = [[Hero of the Day]]
 | single2date = September 9, 1996<ref>{{cite web|title=Hero of the Day|url=https://metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4301/hero-of-the-day|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=August 7, 2016|archive-date=December 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206135848/https://www.metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4301/hero-of-the-day|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | single3     = [[Mama Said (Metallica song)|Mama Said]]
 | single3date = November 25, 1996<ref>{{cite web|title=Mama Said|url=https://metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4302/mama-said|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=August 7, 2016|archive-date=August 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813010717/https://metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4302/mama-said|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | single4     = [[King Nothing]]
 | single4date = January 7, 1997<ref>{{cite web|title=King Nothing|url=https://metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4303/king-nothing|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=August 7, 2016|archive-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815071801/https://metallica.com/releases/singles-eps/4303/king-nothing|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Load''''' is the sixth studio album by American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Metallica]], released on June 4, 1996, by [[Elektra Records]] in the United States and by [[Vertigo Records]] internationally. The album showed more of a [[hard rock]] side of Metallica than the band's typical [[thrash metal]] style, which alienated much of the band's fanbase.<ref>{{cite book|title=Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=60Jde3l7WNwC&pg=PA22|page=226|author=[[Pete Prown]], Harvey P. Newquist|year = 1997| publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn = 9780793540426}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Metallica revives old sound, 'Death Magnetic' shows band's desire to reclaim its thrash metal throne|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&s_site=ohio&p_multi=AK&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1234350868C1DA68&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|work=report|publisher=Ohio.com|access-date=September 17, 2015|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803155419/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&s_site=ohio&p_multi=AK&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1234350868C1DA68&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stereogum.com/1511282/metallica-albums-from-worst-to-best/franchises/counting-down/ |title=Metallica Albums From Worst To Best |last=Moore |first=Doug |date=October 14, 2013 |work=Stereogum |publisher=Spinmedia |access-date=August 23, 2015 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023000707/https://www.stereogum.com/1511282/metallica-albums-from-worst-to-best/franchises/counting-down/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also featured influences from genres such as [[Southern rock]], [[blues rock]], [[country rock]],<ref name="allmusic"/> and [[alternative rock]].<ref name="EW"/> Drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] said about ''Load''{{'s}} more exploratory nature, "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."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/pretty-hate-machine-19960627 |title=Metallica: Pretty Hate Machine |last=Fricke |first=David |date=June 27, 1998 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203150416/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/pretty-hate-machine-19960627 |url-status=live }}</ref> At 79 minutes, ''Load'' is Metallica's longest studio album.

''Load'' received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, debuting and spending four consecutive weeks at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. ''Load'' sold 680,000 units in its first week, making it the biggest opening week for Metallica as well as the biggest debut of 1996.<ref>{{cite news|first=Shauna|last=Snow|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-21-ca-1151-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press|date=November 21, 1996|access-date=April 4, 2012|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715012204/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-11-21/entertainment/ca-1151_1_tupac-shakur|url-status=live}}</ref> It was certified [[RIAA certification|5× platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipping five million copies in the United States. Four singles were released: "[[Until It Sleeps]]", "[[Hero of the Day]]", "[[Mama Said (Metallica song)|Mama Said]]", and "[[King Nothing]]". A super deluxe reissue will be released in June 2025.

==Background==
''Load'', released approximately five years after the commercially successful album ''[[Metallica (album)|Metallica]]'', saw the band shifting toward [[hard rock]] and further away from their [[thrash metal]] roots. As on previous releases, the album's fourteen songs began as rough demos created by principal songwriters [[James Hetfield]] and [[Lars Ulrich]] in Ulrich's basement recording studio, "The Dungeon". In early 1995, the band took over thirty demos into [[The Plant Studios]], where they would work for approximately one year. Metallica worked with producer [[Bob Rock]], who had been at the helm during the recording process for ''Metallica''.

The songwriting dispensed almost entirely with the thrash metal style that characterized the band's sound in the 1980s. Metallica had listed several artists and bands from which they took inspiration while writing ''Load'' and ''Reload'' that strayed from the types of bands that influenced them for their earlier albums, including [[Kyuss]], [[Alice in Chains]], [[Soundgarden]], [[Primus (band)|Primus]], [[ZZ Top]], [[Pantera]], [[Corrosion of Conformity]], [[Ted Nugent]], [[Aerosmith]], and even more mainstream acts like [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], [[Alanis Morissette]], and [[Garth Brooks]], among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lars and James discuss Load's style |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/archive-metallicas-james-hetfield-and-kirk-hammett-discuss-their-1996-album-load |website=Guitar World |date=November 18, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901081954/https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/archive-metallicas-james-hetfield-and-kirk-hammett-discuss-their-1996-album-load |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=James Hetfield reflects on Load |url=https://loudwire.com/metallica-load-album-anniversary/ |website=Loudwire.com |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724195950/https://loudwire.com/metallica-load-album-anniversary/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Load isn't that bad: the story behind the most overhated metal album of all time |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/it-felt-like-a-big-fuck-you-metallica-s-contentious-load-revisited |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805035953/https://www.loudersound.com/features/it-felt-like-a-big-fuck-you-metallica-s-contentious-load-revisited |url-status=dead }}</ref> This resulted in ''Load'' having a much more mid-paced, groovier sound that verged on hard rock. In place of [[staccato]] riffs, Hetfield and lead guitarist [[Kirk Hammett]] experimented with [[blues rock]]-based tones and styles. Additionally, Ulrich adopted a minimalist approach to his drum recording, abandoning the speed and complex [[double bass drumming]] patterns of previous albums, and using simpler techniques and playing styles. 

The album's lyrical themes show a striking departure from Metallica's previously social and politically charged subjects; many of ''Load''<nowiki/>'s tracks discuss themes of depression, including "Bleeding Me", "Mama Said", and "Until It Sleeps", all of which are about the death of Hetfield's mother, and "The Outlaw Torn", which is said to be about the band coping with [[Cliff Burton]]'s death. Other songs, such as "The House Jack Built" and "Cure", discuss themes of drug and alcohol addiction, and "Thorn Within" and "Poor Twisted Me" reflect James's struggles with depression.

Hammett, encouraged by producer Bob Rock, also played rhythm guitar on a Metallica album for the first time, having previously only played lead parts with Hetfield playing all the rhythm parts to achieve a tighter feel, in contrast to the looser feel they were looking for here.<ref name="guitarworld.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/archive-metallicas-james-hetfield-and-kirk-hammett-discuss-their-1996-album-load|title=From the Archive: Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett Discuss Their 1996 Album, 'Load'|date=November 18, 2011|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901081954/https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/archive-metallicas-james-hetfield-and-kirk-hammett-discuss-their-1996-album-load|url-status=live}}</ref>  Hammett continued playing rhythm until ''[[Death Magnetic]]'' when Hetfield once again played all the rhythm parts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-james-hetfield-discusses-metallicas-death-magnetic|title=Interview: James Hetfield Discusses Metallica's 'Death Magnetic'|date=November 21, 2012|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-date=August 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072512/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-james-hetfield-discusses-metallicas-death-magnetic|url-status=live}}</ref>

At 79 minutes, ''Load'' is Metallica's longest studio album. With the CD length at 78:59, initial pressings of the album were affixed with stickers boasting of its long playtime, simply reading "78:59". "The Outlaw Torn" had to be shortened by about one minute to fit on the album; the full version of the track was released on the single "[[The Memory Remains]]" as "The Outlaw Torn (Unencumbered by Manufacturing Restrictions Version)", with a running time of 10:48. An explanation on the single's back cover stated:

{{blockquote|When we were doing the final sequencing of the 'LOAD' album, the record company told us that we couldn't go a second past 78:59, or your CD's wouldn't play without potentially skipping. With our 14 songs, we were running about 30 seconds over, and something had to give, so the cool-ass jam at the end of 'Outlaw' got chopped.<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIkSOx6kkMY Metallica – The Outlaw Torn (lyrics in video)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104001527/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIkSOx6kkMY |date=January 4, 2016 }} YouTube. Retrieved 19-Jan-2016.</ref>}}

''Load'' was Metallica's first album on which all tracks were down-tuned to [[E♭ tuning]]. Hammett states:

{{blockquote|I started tuning to E-flat for my riff tapes because I copied a lot of the Hendrix stuff. You know I used to try to figure out [[Jimi Hendrix]] solos, [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]] solos, [[Thin Lizzy]] solos and those three bands tune to E-flat. And so a lot of my riffs were in E-flat, and I guess when James would hear the riffs tuned in E-flat and he'd try to sing to 'em, I think he kind of liked it. He liked the break it kind of gave his voice. He didn't have to pitch that extra half step. And that's also why on both ''Load'' and ''[[Reload (Metallica album)|Reload]]'' the primary tuning is E-flat rather than E.<ref name="Haircuts">{{cite web |url=https://www.metallica.com/so-what-article/427029.html |title=20 Years of Blood, Semen & Haircuts: A Conversation about Load |date=June 9, 2016 |work=metallica.com |access-date=April 19, 2021 |url-access=registration |archive-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302151544/https://www.metallica.com/login/?scope=gated&original=%2Fso-what-article%2F427029.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

The band had recorded songs on earlier albums in tunings lower than E: "The God That Failed" (''Metallica'') was in E♭, and "Sad but True" (''Metallica'') and "The Thing That Should Not Be" (''[[Master of Puppets]]'') were in [[D tuning]]. Hetfield also felt that the change to E♭ was a bonus, as it was easier to perform string bends in the riffs.<ref name="guitarworld.com"/>

The Australian CD release of ''Load'' includes a bonus interview CD that is unavailable elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://encycmet.com/discography/new/Detailed/254.shtml|title=Encyclopedia Metallica – Load, 2CD|publisher=Encycmet.com|access-date=November 13, 2010|archive-date=July 8, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708053259/http://encycmet.com/discography/new/Detailed/254.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> 10 songs from the album have been played live: "[[King Nothing]]", "[[Until It Sleeps]]", "[[Ain't My Bitch]]", "[[Bleeding Me]]", "Wasting My Hate", "[[Hero of the Day]]", "The Outlaw Torn", "2 X 4", "Poor Twisted Me", [[Mama Said (Metallica song)|"Mama Said"]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/stats/albums/metallica-3bd680c8.html|title=Metallica Album Statistics - setlist.fm|website=www.setlist.fm|access-date=March 22, 2016|archive-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316181302/http://www.setlist.fm/stats/albums/metallica-3bd680c8.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "The House Jack Built", "Cure", "Thorn Within", and "Ronnie" have never been performed live.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/these_are_the_only_15_songs_metallica_never_performed_live.html|title=These Are the Only 15 Songs Metallica Never Performed Live|access-date=March 22, 2016|archive-date=April 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415071051/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/these_are_the_only_15_songs_metallica_never_performed_live.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Artwork==
The cover of ''Load'' is an original artwork titled "Semen and Blood III". It is one of three photographic studies that [[Andres Serrano]] created in 1990 by mingling [[Bovinae|bovine]] blood and his own [[semen]] between two sheets of [[Plexiglas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artnet.com/usernet/awc/awc_workdetail.asp?aid=424202827&gid=424202827&cid=74183&wid=425106400&page=2|title=Semen & Blood II|publisher=Artnet.com|access-date=November 13, 2010|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010054435/http://www.artnet.com/usernet/awc/awc_workdetail.asp?aid=424202827&gid=424202827&cid=74183&wid=425106400&page=2|url-status=live}}</ref> The liner notes simply state "cover art by Andres Serrano" rather than listing the title of the work. Hammett learned of Serrano's work from [[Godflesh]] frontman [[Justin Broadrick]] when he was shown the music video Serrano had directed for the Godflesh song "[[Crush My Soul]]". Broadrick claimed that no one in Metallica knew about Serrano before the "Crush My Soul" music video.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiederhorn |first1=Jon |title=GODFLESH: THE BIRTH, DEATH AND REBIRTH OF THE INDUSTRIAL-METAL GIANTS |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/godflesh-birth-death-and-rebirth-industrial-metal-giants |website=Revolver |date=October 2014 |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817030544/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/godflesh-birth-death-and-rebirth-industrial-metal-giants |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In a 2009 interview with ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'', Hetfield expressed his dislike of the album cover and its inspiration:

{{blockquote|Lars and Kirk were very into [[abstract art]], pretending they were gay. I think they knew it bugged me. It was a statement around all that. I love art, but not for the sake of shocking others. I think the cover of ''Load'' was just a piss-take around all that. I just went along with the make-up and all of this crazy, stupid shit that they felt they needed to do.<ref name="www.blabbermouth.net">[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-s-james-hetfield-explains-why-dave-mustaine-had-to-go/ METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD Explains Why DAVE MUSTAINE 'Had To Go'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228124617/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-s-james-hetfield-explains-why-dave-mustaine-had-to-go/ |date=December 28, 2016 }} blabbermouth.net (June 3, 2009). Retrieved 12–27–16.</ref>}}

''Load'' also marked the first appearance of a new Metallica logo that rounded off the stabbing edges of the band's earlier logo, greatly simplifying its appearance. The M from the original logo was used to make a [[shuriken]]-like symbol known as the "ninja star", which was used as an alternate logo on this and future albums, and on related artwork. The album featured an expansive booklet containing photographs by [[Anton Corbijn]]. These photographs depict the band in various dress, including white [[A-shirt]]s with [[suspenders]], Cuban suits, and [[Gothic fashion|gothic]]. In the aforementioned 2009 interview, James Hetfield said:

{{blockquote|Lars and Kirk drove on those records. The whole 'We need to reinvent ourselves' topic was up. Image is not an evil thing for me, but if the image is not you, then it doesn't make much sense. I think they were really after a [[U2]] kind of vibe, [[Bono]] doing his alter ego. I couldn't get into it. The whole, 'Okay, now in this photoshoot we're going to be '70s glam rockers.' Like, what? I would say half&nbsp;– at least half – the pictures that were to be in the booklet, I yanked out. The whole cover thing, it went against what I was feeling.<ref name="www.blabbermouth.net"/>}}

==Reception==
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Metallica: Load|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/load-mw0000183633|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507122957/https://www.allmusic.com/album/load-mw0000183633|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]''
|rev2score = 9/10<ref name="drowned">{{cite web|last=Lancaster|first=Nick|title=Metallica: Load|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/4832/reviews/7544-metallica-load|work=[[Drowned in Sound]]|access-date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630004510/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/4832/reviews/7544-metallica-load|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2006|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|page=725|isbn=0-19-531373-9|edition=4th|volume=5}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev4score = B<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|last=Browne|first=David|title=Metallica; Load|url=https://ew.com/article/1996/06/07/load/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=December 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209002130/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,292873,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
|rev5score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref name="LA review">{{cite news|last=Masuo|first=Sandy|title=Album Review: Metallica: Load|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-02-ca-10929-story.html|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 2, 1996|access-date=January 27, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222173011/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-06-02/entertainment/ca-10929_1_album-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
|rev6score = 7/10<ref name="CDUniverse"/>
|rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
|rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="CDUniverse">{{cite web|title=Metallica – Load CD Album|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1095966&style=music&fulldesc=T|work=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|publisher=[[CD Universe]]|access-date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=July 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723201708/http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=9022152|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=RS>{{cite magazine|last=Fricke|first=David|title=Metallica: Load|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/load-19961204|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 4, 1996|access-date=June 16, 2013|archive-date=January 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106120601/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/load-19961204|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev9 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brackett|first1=Nathan|last2=Hoard|first2=Christian David|title=[[The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|date=2004|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/538 538]}}</ref>
|rev10 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
|rev10score = C+<ref name="VV">{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=December 3, 1996|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ts96-96.php|title=Turkey Shoot|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|access-date=February 1, 2019|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309024257/https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ts96-96.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
''Load'' received mixed to positive reviews from critics. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said, "The foursome dams the bombast and chugs half-speed ahead, settling into a wholly magnetizing groove that bridges old-school biker rock and the doomier side of [[post-grunge]] '90s rock."<ref name=RS /> ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' enthused, "These boys set up their tents in the darkest place of all, in the naked horror of their own heads... Metallica make [[existentialism|existential]] metal and they've never needed the props... Metallica are still awesome... What is new is streamlined attack, the focus and, yes, the tunes."<ref name="CDUniverse" /> ''[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]'' praised the band's performances and commended the change in sound, saying that "The boys are more into cohesion now, more interested in the slow increase of momentum."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Randall |first=Mac |title=Metallica: ''Load'' (Elektra) |url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/metallica-iloadi-elektra |magazine=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]] |date=August 1996 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |via=[[Rock's Backpages]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

''[[Melody Maker]]'' expressed reservations about ''Load'''s heaviness compared to its predecessors: "A Metallica album is traditionally an exhausting event. It should rock you to exhaustion, leave you brutalised and drained. This one is no exception. It is, however, the first Metallica album to make me wonder at any point, 'What the fuck was that?' It's as if the jackboot grinding the human face were to take occasional breaks for a pedicure."<ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 8, 1996|title=Melody Maker|magazine=Melody Maker|page=49}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] considered ''Load'' repetitive, uninteresting and poorly executed.<ref name="allmusic" /> In ''[[The Village Voice]]'', [[Robert Christgau]] said "this is just a metal record with less solo room, which is good because it concentrates their chops, and more singing, which isn't because they can't."<ref name="VV"/>

"Some of that stuff was pretty cool," remarked Lars Ulrich of the album and [[Reload (Metallica album)|its follow-up]]. "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 ''[see Artwork, above]''. People have come up to me years afterwards and said, 'I never gave the record a fair chance because I couldn't get beyond Jason Newsted wearing eyeliner.' But 'The Outlaw Torn', some of that shit is pretty fucking awesome."<ref>"Get a chick! Or get a monkey!"; ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' #48, Christmas 2002, p6</ref>

==Reissue==
''Load'' will be reissued as a super deluxe box set on June 13, 2025. Described in a press release as "an ambitious and comprehensive time capsule of 1995–1997 era Metallica", the super deluxe set includes previously unreleased demos, rough mixes, videos, live recordings, and more. The physical release is spread across 15 CDs, six vinyl records, four DVDs, a 128-page hardcover book, and additional materials. The reissue also includes a 2025 remaster of the original album by Reuben Cohen and the original extended version of "The Outlaw Torn", which was edited down due to manufacturing limits.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rolli |first=Bryan |title=Metallica Touts 1,800 Minutes of 'Load' in Massive Reissue |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-reissue/ |website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |access-date=May 14, 2025 |date=April 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Paul |title=Metallica / ''Load'' Reissue |url=https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/metallica-load-reissue/ |website=Super Deluxe Edition |access-date=May 14, 2025 |date=April 29, 2025}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| all_lyrics = [[James Hetfield]]
| all_music = Hetfield and [[Lars Ulrich]], except where noted
| title1 = [[Ain't My Bitch]]
| length1 = 5:04
| title2 = 2 X 4
| music2 = {{hlist||Hetfield|Ulrich|[[Kirk Hammett]]}}
| length2 = 5:28
| title3 = The House Jack Built
| music3 = {{hlist|Hetfield|Ulrich|Hammett}}
| length3 = 6:39
| title4 = [[Until It Sleeps]]
| length4 = 4:28
| title5 = [[King Nothing]]
| music5 = {{hlist|Hetfield|Ulrich|Hammett}}
| length5 = 5:30
| title6 = [[Hero of the Day]]
| music6 = {{hlist|Hetfield|Ulrich|Hammett}}
| length6 = 4:22
| title7 = [[Bleeding Me]]
| music7 = {{hlist|Hetfield|Ulrich|Hammett}}
| length7 = 8:18
| title8 = Cure
| length8 = 4:54
| title9 = Poor Twisted Me
| length9 = 4:00
| title10 = Wasting My Hate
| music10 = {{hlist|Hetfield|Ulrich|Hammett}}
| length10 = 3:57
| title11 = [[Mama Said (Metallica song)|Mama Said]]
| length11 = 5:20
| title12 = Thorn Within
| music12 = {{hlist|Hetfield|Ulrich|Hammett}}
| length12 = 5:52
| title13 = Ronnie
| length13 = 5:17
| title14 = The Outlaw Torn
| length14 = 9:49
| total_length = 78:59
}}

== Personnel ==
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name="booklet">{{cite book|title=Load ''liner notes''|year=1996|publisher=[[Vertigo Records]]}}</ref><ref name="MO">{{cite web| title = Liner notes| publisher = Metallica official website| url = https://www.metallica.com/releases/albums/release-4214.html| access-date = December 21, 2020| archive-date = November 26, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201126012251/https://www.metallica.com/releases/albums/release-4214.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

'''Metallica'''
* [[James Hetfield]] – vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar on "2 X 4", "The House Jack Built", "King Nothing", "Thorn Within" and "The Outlaw Torn"<ref name="Haircuts"/>
* [[Kirk Hammett]] – lead and rhythm guitar<ref name="Haircuts"/><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/archive-metallicas-james-hetfield-and-kirk-hammett-discuss-their-1996-album-load|title = From the Archive: Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett Discuss Their 1996 Album, 'Load'|date = November 18, 2011|access-date = August 9, 2018|archive-date = September 1, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210901081954/https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/archive-metallicas-james-hetfield-and-kirk-hammett-discuss-their-1996-album-load|url-status = live}}</ref>
* [[Jason Newsted]] – bass
* [[Lars Ulrich]] – drums

'''Production'''
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Bob Rock]] – production
* Brian Dobbs – engineering, mixing
* [[Randy Staub]] – engineering
* Jason Goldstein – assistant engineering
* Kent Matcke – assistant engineering
* [[Mike Fraser (record producer)|Mike Fraser]] – mixing
* Matt Curry – mixing assistant
* Mike Rew – mixing assistant
* [[George Marino]] – mastering
* Paul DeCarli – digital editing
* Mike Gillies – digital editing assistant
* [[Chris Vrenna]] – digital editing assistant
* Andie Airfix – design
* [[Andres Serrano]] – cover design
* [[Anton Corbijn]] – photography
{{div col end}}

==Charts==
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Load''
!scope="col"|Chart (1996)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|2|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"|Czech Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-07-06.pdf |title=European Top 100 Albums |publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI CR]] |language=cs |date=July 6, 1996 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308062923/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-07-06.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"| Danish Albums ([[Tracklisten|Hitlisten]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-22.pdf|title=Top National Sellers: Denmark|work=[[Music & Media]]|page=16|date=June 22, 1996|access-date=September 22, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302151430/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-22.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"| Europe ([[European Top 100 Albums]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-29.pdf|title=Eurochart Top 100 Albums - June 29, 1996|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=13|issue=26|page=21|date=June 29, 1996|access-date=November 18, 2021|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928230857/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-29.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{album chart|Finland|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|France|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|1|id=2322|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|1|year=1996|week=25|rowheader=true|access-date=November 24, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"|Irish Albums ([[Irish Albums Chart|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-22.pdf|title=Top National Sellers: Ireland|work=[[Music & Media]]|page=16|date=June 22, 1996|access-date=September 22, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302151430/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-22.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
|-
!scope="row"|Italian Albums ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-22.pdf|title=Top National Sellers: Italy|work=[[Music & Media]]|page=16|date=June 22, 1996|access-date=September 22, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302151430/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-22.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"|Portuguese Albums ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 29, 1996|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/96/MM-1996-06-29-OCR-Page-0022.pdf|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=22|access-date=May 1, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=May 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501090805/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/96/MM-1996-06-29-OCR-Page-0022.pdf}}</ref>
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|1|date=19960609|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"|Spanish Albums ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Spain+Until+It+Sleeps&pg=PA60|title=Hits of the World - Spain|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 29, 1996|page=60|access-date=August 24, 2017|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302151605/https://books.google.com/books?id=pgkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Spain+Until+It+Sleeps&pg=PA60|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Metallica|album=Load|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|1|date=19960609|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Metallica|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"| Zimbabwean Albums<ref>{{cite book |last=Kimberley |first=Christopher |year=1998 |title=Albums Chart Book: Zimbabwe |url=https://postimg.cc/bZGPrXxT |page=47 |access-date=April 26, 2025}}</ref>
|align="center"|8
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1996 year-end chart performance for ''Load''
!scope="col"|Chart (1996)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1996/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1996|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313224405/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1996/albums-chart|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|21
|-
!scope="row"|Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1996|title=Jahreshitparade Alben 1996|website=austriancharts.at|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802201509/https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1996|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9732&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9732.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9732|title=Top Albums/CDs - Volume 64, no. 18, December 16 1996|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|date=December 16, 1996|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909033300/https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9732&URLjpg=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Fobj%2F028020%2Ff4%2Fnlc008388.9732.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9732|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|9
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1996&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1996|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802201536/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1996&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|33
|-
!scope="row"|European Top 100 Albums (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/96/MM-1996-12-21-OCR-Page-0012.pdf#search=%22nirvana%20about%20girl%22 |title=European Top 100 Albums 1996 |magazine=[[Music & Media]]| date=December 21, 1996|access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|10
|-
!scope="row"|French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=1996|title=Top de l'année Top Albums 1996|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029102847/https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=1996|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|17
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1996|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|access-date=September 8, 2016|archive-date=May 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509161527/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1996|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1996-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1996|website=The Official NZ Music Charts|access-date=November 16, 2021|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105223237/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3885|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|17
|-
!scope="row"|Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1996/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413062143/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1996/alben|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|23
|-
!scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/19960107/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1996|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809075837/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/19960107/37502/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|59
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427174051/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-billboard-200-albums|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|14
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1997 year-end chart performance for ''Load''
!scope="col"|Chart (1997)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Hard Rock Albums (Nielsen Soundscan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010320221532/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/HARD_1997.html|title=HARD ROCK ALBUMS : Top 25 of 1997}}</ref>
|align="center"|18
|-
|}

===Decade-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+1990s-end chart performance for ''Load''
!Chart (1990–1999)
!Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Geoff|last=Mayfield|title=1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade – The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA4|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 25, 1999|access-date=October 15, 2010}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|81
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Load''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Argentina|artist=Metallica|title=Load|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=1996|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=July 6, 2011|title=Discos de oro y platino|access-date=October 3, 2019|publisher=[[Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]]|language=es|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|relyear=1996|certyear=2024|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=5|access-date=July 14, 2024}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|region=Austria|award=Platinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|access-date=August 17, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=1997}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=1996}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Denmark|award=Platinum|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|certref=<ref name=LOADEUROPE>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-29.pdf|title=The Album Load over 1.3 million European sales in week of release|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|date=June 29, 1996|page=5}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|salesamount=94,384}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=1996|relyear=1996|access-date=May 31, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Metallica|title=Load|relyear=1996|certyear=2019|type=album|award=Gold|number=5|access-date=May 25, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1996|salesamount=31,000|salesref=<ref name=Billboard>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fA8EAAAAMBAJ&q=greece+album+certifications+billboard&pg=PA48|magazine=Billboard|title=Greek Acts Boast Local Market|first=Cosmas|last=Develegas|date=May 24, 1997|access-date=October 8, 2018|page=48|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302151553/https://books.google.com/books?id=fA8EAAAAMBAJ&q=greece+album+certifications+billboard&pg=PA48|url-status=live}}</ref>|certref=<ref name=Billboard/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=2000|nosales=true|access-date=May 4, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Italy|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|certref=<ref name=LOADEUROPE/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|certmonth=9|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|access-date=May 30, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=1996|relyear=1996|access-date=October 3, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|id=1996-08-16|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relyear=1996}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=1996}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Portugal|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|certref=<ref name=LOADEUROPE/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|date=December 30, 1996}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|title=Load|artist=Metallica|award=Platinum|relyear=1996|certref=<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverri |first=Fernando |date=September 2005 |url=http://www.mediafire.com/file/pd758fesp2w7i7f/Spanish+Certifications+for+1996-1999.pdf |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=es |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=[[Sociedad General de Autores y Editores|Fundación Autor/SGAE]] |page=942 |isbn=84-8048-639-2 |access-date=June 27, 2019 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221020633/http://www.mediafire.com/file/pd758fesp2w7i7f/Spanish+Certifications+for+1996-1999.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|relmonth=6|access-date=August 17, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Switzerland|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|certref=<ref name=LOADEUROPE/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Turkey|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|certref=<ref name=LOADEUROPE/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=1996|certyear=2019|id=3951-2158-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=5|salesamount=5,400,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|last=Young|first=Simon|date=March 9, 2023|title=Here are the astonishing US sales stats for every Metallica album|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/metallica-album-sales-us|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311130902/https://www.loudersound.com/features/metallica-album-sales-us |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |access-date=March 12, 2023|website=[[Metal Hammer]]}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Load|artist=Metallica|region=Uruguay|award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2000 |access-date=May 30, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|title=Load|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1996|certyear=1997|access-date=May 30, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Discogs master|type=album|8866|name=Load}}

{{Metallica}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Load (Album)}}
[[Category:1996 albums]]
[[Category:Metallica albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Bob Rock]]
[[Category:Elektra Records albums]]
[[Category:Vertigo Records albums]]