Load

With 'Load', Metallica takes a dramatic left turn with their music, continuing in the direction suggested by Metallica, their previous album. The songs on 'Load' have groove; they're slower, with far fewer of the lightning-fast riffs that have been Metallica's trademark since their inception. While songs like 'Ain't My Bitch' and 'Wasting My Hate' are up-tempo and full of the vitriol one would expect from the quintessential heavy metal band, '2 X 4' is hard rock with a blues beat, 'Hero of the Day' sounds positively mainstream, and 'Mama Said' is an actual, honest-to-god ballad. While some diehard fans may find this mix unappealing, there's plenty to like about this album, including its laid-back, rhythmic orientation, and James Hetfield's characteristic growl tempered by his growing maturity as a vocalist.