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This is why ReLoad ACTUALLY is so (un)important | Metallica

Metal Pilgrim | May 21, 2026



Is ReLoad actually a masterpiece of experimentation, or was it the beginning of the end of Metallica we all loved?

For years, Metallica fans have been arguing whether ReLoad was the peak of the band’s ’90s evolution or just a collection of glorified B-sides. So today, in honor of its massive remaster re-release, let’s peel back the layers of the body fluids era of Metallica to find out why ReLoad was actually so misunderstood by fans and might- might be the most necessary and the most pivotal chapter in the Metallica history. Here you go.

00:00 – Intro
00:46 – Twin Brothers
02:58 – What most got wrong
05:10 – Firsts & lasts
07:52 – Un(expected) success
10:59 – First Cracks
12:42 – Verdict

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Background music: “Uberpunch” Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

Written by Metal Pilgrim

Comments

This post currently has 30 comments.

  1. @mrsimonali

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    For me Load was the end of the mightiness of Metallica. Reload was a step in the right direction though. Anyone that likes it though, I don’t have any negative comments. Music is subjective and we all like different styles

  2. @Thirteen31Music

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    I came around to Load late an IMO if you take it for what it is its a great album. Iv never managed to listen to Reload all the way through, i think it’s garbage and I would rate it below St Anger.

  3. @lordcarnorjax8599

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    George Martin pushed for The Beatles to make "The White Album" a single LP rather than a double LP. I remember him saying that it would have been better as a focused single album not the sprawling double album it actually was. And that's kind of my opinion about Load & Reload as they are essentially a double album, in hindsight it would probably have been better to release as a single strong album. Now of course debate will rage over what the track listing for that single album should be, Beatles fans regularly have the same discussion about what what a single LP White Album track listing would be. Perhaps a topic for another video, if you had to combine both Load & Reload on to a single album what would it be?

  4. @whysoblutube

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    Load was the first Metallica album I bought. Cunning Stunts DVD is one of GOATs for concert videos. I think Reload is too overproduced.

    The Unforgiven II is my favorite track from ReLoad and there’s a reason it’s only been played a handful of times in 30 years. It has a ton of guitars layered on it including the B-Bend Telecaster parts. The best version is from late 2024 at the AWMH charity concert, when they had a third guitarist (Avi) play the b-bend parts. Fuel is pedestrian and beyond mainstream, and Memory Remains doesn’t do it for me. I couldn’t tell you which other songs are any good off of ReLoad.

  5. @briandrake5464

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    I had ReLoad on repeat, too; now I need to listen again. It's been a long time. I've only recently gotten back into Metallica (LOL I'm old af) so I've been going through the early stuff.

  6. @shubhrasinha268

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    Good music is good music, stfu and listen to good music! PS – First time I heard about Metallica was when I heard Reload as a young teenager. That stuff sticks with you for life, so yeah I'm all about the fuel, fire, coz that's what I desire!!

  7. @GoldGn111

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    That cover is def some strange ritual . Why else would you mix blood and 🌊 men or urine together and publish it as the cover for an album. I like Metallica but it’s sht like that that just doesn’t settle right

  8. @Džejms_Bong

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    For those who still don't understand :
    Re- Load is how whole Load/ReLoad project should've sounded . Those are not leftover songs. Load is basically demo album and Re-Load is final version of it. So, yes it was supposed to be 13 or 14 songs album but it would sound like Re-Load ended sounding. That's what James said himself. They rushed Load and that's why it doesn't sound metal at all. Re-Load on the other hand is metal album.

  9. @diegoborges3716

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    The first Metallica videoclip I saw was Unforgiven II when I was 13 or 14. No metalhead said at the time that I should hate it, so I loved the song and the video.
    PS. Yeah, the first one is better, but I like both.

  10. @poison7512

    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 pm

    What experimentation? They did that on AJFA. Load is bad because it is DEVOID of experimentation. It's just a bunch of generic rock songs.

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