Load is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released June 4, 1996. To date, the album has sold over 5 million copies in America, and is certified Gold in the UK, having sold over 100,000 copies. It spent four consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard 200. At 78:59 minutes, Load is Metallica's longest studio album. Initial pressings of the album were affixed with stickers that boasted its long playtime, simply reading "78:59". Consequently, "The Outlaw Torn" had to be shortened by about one minute to fit on the album. The full version was released on a Read more on Last.fm.
Metallica’s descent into the mainstream worked because it didn’t find a way to suck. The records charm is in its sameness, a bluesy, car enthusiast vibe throughout. Is it an instant classic? Eh.