Personally I like only two albums from Metallica, that is to say two albums I own and I love, really listen. The first Kill'em all, which I will one day chronic. Then Load, which I love.
Load is a damn ballsy album on the form. At that time, the metalheads gargle with furious solos and virtuoso who mourn their guitars. Kirk Hammett decided to do solos "inspired", with a soul, without necessarily falling into the technical demonstration, which is quite surprising from a disciplinary Satriani. Disappointment fans and pimply teenagers (including myself). At that time, the metalheads want the brutal riff that shakes and shakes, they want to be kicking ass. James Hetfield more artistic ambitions. Disappointment of fans again. It is not yet clear that Metallica, which has often had an edge (not always), just bring the Metal in adulthood.
Damn ballsy, yes. Especially after Black Album Metallica that introduced to the public. Nothing else Matters, Unforgiven, ballads that made cry in the cottages. As much make a second Black Album, then! and success is assured. No, and that's good. Kirk Hammett who discovers the wha-wha and fucks on each solo was filled up in the long run.
And here comes Load. The musicians have nothing to prove. Perhaps for the first time, they compose to create, not to impress. True, Mama Said ballad and country accents, it's less glamorous qu'Unforgiven. Yet when replay Bleeding me years later, having sold and then bought the album, it would have to be deaf not to realize the perfect control of the group, the perfect blend of a rise in extraordinary power , a result that does not come from the technique but a form of musical wisdom. Now, the solo is not admirable for his virtuosity, he sent shudders through the emotions it raises.
James Hetfield had found his voice on the Black Album, here he finds his singing. The sound is huge, the best that the group has had while confused album. The album shakes, shakes, he creates atmospheres. The songs are never or rarely too long (which is often the usual plague of Metallica songs). On Load, Metallica discovered the flexibility, both in substance and form. The album is more direct, goes to the essential, taking his time. We no longer entitled to perfectly composed arpeggios millimiters, mathematical limit, but Until it Sleeps confusing, with dark and strange sounds.
Load at its exit, was an amazing album. We were many to miss.
