LOAD

You know what? I give this a 4, but I'm tempted to give it a 5 just because it really doesn't deserve a 2 rating that it's gotten. I don't know why everyone hates Metallica's Load and ReLoad albums, and St. Anger.

I understand that Load and ReLoad are a radical departure from their extreme Thrash Metal roots, and that many fans of their older stuff wouldn't like them, but take a moment and listen to this: The whole idea behind progressive rock is DIVERSITY. So obviously they were deciding to try something new. This should be awarded by progressive rock fans, rather than met with hostility. Yes, you wouldn't like this album at all if you only like Metallica's old stuff, but if you're looking on Progarchives.com, chances are your musical tastes are much more diverse. From old 70s bands like Floyd and Genesis, to heavy metal like Metallica and Dream Theater. My point is, I hope no one is downrating this album because of its departure from their original beloved thrash formula, for that is the very meaning of progressive rock-trying new things, taking new directions and well... progressing! Comparing Pink Floyd's Piper at the Gates of Dawn and The Wall, they're so radically different it's hard to think they're the same band. All bands go through this.

Furthermore, this album has many melodic moments and it still remains heavy... not the kind've Ride the Lightning heavy, but still quite heavy. The heavy on this album is more like hard rock, and there is a noticeable country music sounding influence on the album, especially Ronnie which you'll probably be confused that Metallica wrote that song, because it sounds so different. Not to say it's dominated by country music, but there is that general feeling in there.

Most of the tracks on this album are more hard rock sounding, but the things of particular interest to progressive fans are The House that Jack Built, Hero of the Day, Bleeding Me, and The Outlaw Torn. These songs are longer than the others (with the exception of Hero of the Day) and they all have changing tempos and memorable melodies. Bleeding Me is my favourite from this album. The Outlaw Torn is an amazing song which ends in a jam improvisation that got a few minutes cut off, for the album was too long and could not fit the entire thing in it.

Contrary to all other people who think this album is terrible, I say it's an excellent album. Progressive rock fans should not mind the change in style Metallica went through in this album.