Metallica - Load (Vinyl 2LP | EU Original | 1996)

Metallica – Load is Metallica's sixth studio album, released on June 4, 1996 on Vertigo in Europe and Elektra in the US. It was recorded from May 1995 to early 1996 mainly at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, with overdubs and mixing at Right Track Studios in New York; it was produced by Bob Rock with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. Instead of thrash metal, bluesy hard rock grooves take centre stage; the album went to No. 1 in the US, UK and Germany. The cover shows Andres Serrano's "Semen and Blood III". This copy is the 1996 European original pressing as a double LP with original inner sleeves.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: Vertigo 532 618-1
• Format: Vinyl 2LP, Album
• Pressing: EU original
• Country: Europe
• Year of this pressing: 1996
• Genre: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
• Extras: Original inner sleeves

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: VG+
• Cover: VG

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Ain't My Bitch
2. 2 X 4
3. The House Jack Built
4. Until It Sleeps

Side B

1. King Nothing
2. Hero Of The Day
3. Bleeding Me

Side C

1. Cure
2. Poor Twisted Me
3. Wasting My Hate
4. Mama Said

Side D

1. Thorn Within
2. Ronnie
3. The Outlaw Torn

Personnel

Metallica: James Hetfield (vocals, guitar), Kirk Hammett (guitar), Jason Newsted (bass), Lars Ulrich (drums). Additional: Jim McGillveray (percussion). Produced by Bob Rock with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich; recorded and mixed by Randy Staub.

FAQ

Is this the original pressing?
Yes. This is the 1996 European first edition on Vertigo with catalogue number 532 618-1 as a double LP. Later vinyl editions came out in 2001 and 2015.

What does Media VG+ / Cover VG mean?
VG+ (Very Good Plus) means light signs of use that have little or no effect on playback. The sleeve is graded VG and shows clear signs of wear. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Why does Load sound different from early Metallica?
The band turned to bluesy hard rock and alternative rock here, with more groove and less thrash tempo. The rest of the session material came out in 1997 on Reload.

Do you have more Metallica records?
Yes, for example Reload (UK & EU original 1997), Load (EU reissue 2015) or Garage Inc. (EU reissue 2015). More titles are in our Metal collection.