- Blackened Records 2015, Thrash Metal
This the high-end audiophile release pressed on two 12" vinyl records each on 180 gram vinyl. "LOAD" is the 1996 and sixth album released by the American Thrash Metal band "Metallica". The album artwork was by Andres Serrano and was based on his own semen and blood.
Metallica's 1996 release, "Load," marked a significant turning point in their sonic trajectory. The album saw the iconic thrash metal pioneers embracing a blues-infused hard rock sound, a shift that both alienated and intrigued audiences. The 2015 reissue on Blackened Records as a deluxe gatefold 12" vinyl 2LP offers fans a chance to revisit this controversial yetundeniably powerful album through a high-fidelity audiophile lens.
Beyond the Thrash: "Load" as a Blues-Rock Experiment
"Load" saw Metallica shedding much of their trademark thrash metal ferocity in favor of a slower, groovier approach. Songs like "King Nothing," "Until It Sleeps," and "The Outlaw Torn" showcase a newfound emphasis on bluesy riffs, introspective lyrics, and a more expansive sonic palette. The band explored diverse influences, from Southern rock to country-tinged ballads, further alienating some of their core fan base while simultaneously attracting new listeners.
Controversial Artwork: Serrano's Provocative Vision
The album's cover art, created by controversial artist Andres Serrano, is as infamous as the music itself. Serrano's composition, titled "Semen and Blood III," is an abstract image created using his own bodily fluids, sparking outrage and censorship in some quarters. The artwork adds another layer of provocation to Metallica's already bold artistic statement.
Audiophile Excellence: The 180-gram Vinyl Experience
The 2015 vinyl reissue of "Load" does justice to the album's sonic depth and power. The 180-gram vinyl format allows for superior sound reproduction, capturing the warmth and richness of the bluesy guitar tones, the driving force of Lars Ulrich's drums, and the nuanced vocal delivery of James Hetfield. The gatefold packaging further enhances the experience, offering a larger canvas for Serrano's provocative artwork.
The Riff: "2 x 4" opens with a driving, blues-infused riff that's simple yet incredibly powerful. It's one of the faster-paced songs on the album, providing a nod to Metallica's thrash origins.
Working Title Origins: There's some debate about the meaning of the title. Some believe it started as a reference to the song's structure (perhaps a riff played twice, for four measures). However, the reference to a "2 x 4" also works its way into the lyrics.
Violent Imagery: The lyrics are filled with aggressive imagery and the feeling of being pushed to the limit. The line "Put the screws into ya!" and the overall tone suggest the song might be about a violent confrontation, perhaps even using a 2 x 4 (a common lumber size) as a weapon.
Fan Interpretation: Many fans enjoy the song's raw power and see the lyrics as a metaphor for fighting back when cornered or frustrated.
Musical Significance: "2 x 4" is a great example of how Metallica blended their earlier thrash sound with a slower, groove-oriented approach on "Load". It's a testament to their ability to keep their music aggressive and exciting even within a new stylistic framework. .
Thrash Metal
Blackened Recordings – BLCKND011-1
Record Format: Double 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
2015 Europe
This 12" LP vinyl music record comes comes in a Fold Open Cover (FOC), which is also also known as a Gatefold cover. The inner pages of this album cover contains many photos of the Metallica band, artwork. , production details.
Each record of "Load" on "Blackened Records" comes in a custom inner sleeve with many photos of Metallica and lyrics of all the songs on this album.
Bob Rock - Producer
James Hetfield - Producer
Lars Ulrich - Producer
Brian Joseph Dobbs - Sound Engineer
Chris A. Vrenna - Digital Editing
Jason Goldstein - Sound Engineer
Kent Matcke - Sound Engineer
Matt Curry - Sound Engineer
Mike Fraser - Sound Engineer
Mike Gillies - Digital Editing
Mike Rew - Sound Engineer
Paul Decarli - Digital Editing
Randy Staub - Sound Engineer
George Marino (1947-2012) - Mastering Engineer
"Load" was recorded at The Plant Studios, Sausolito, California between May 1995 and February 1996.
Sound mixed at Right Track Recording, New York, March - April 1996 and Quad Recording Studio, New York.
Andres Serrano - Cover Art
Andy Airfix - Artwork
Front Cover of Metallica – Load (2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
This striking gatefold album cover presents a controversial and abstract artwork titled "Semen and Blood III" by Andres Serrano. The visual resembles marbled red, black, and flesh-toned liquids swirling together in a viscous, organic flow. Large black amoebic shapes float amidst veins of blood-like crimson and cloudy grey hues, invoking a visceral and confrontational aesthetic.
At the top, the word METALLICA appears in the band's jagged logo font, rendered in a cracked, distressed white pattern. In the bottom right corner, the album title LOAD is printed in a similar font, slanted and partially cut off by the diagonal lower black bar, enhancing the aggressive and chaotic feel of the cover.
Back Cover of Metallica – Load (2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
The back cover features all four Metallica members dressed in dark, stylish attire and sunglasses, seated at a polished wooden table set with wine glasses and three lit candlesticks. The band is posed in a moody, introspective atmosphere against a hazy, smoke-filled background. A white fedora rests on the table near the rightmost member.
The tracklisting is printed in bold white uppercase letters and organized by side in the lower center portion. The iconic Metallica “ninja star” logo, drawn in an angular and jagged style, appears at the lower left, while label credits and copyright details are below it.
In the upper right corner, a barcode is visible, aligned to the corner of the sleeve. The layout contrasts starkly with the abstract front cover, emphasizing the band's artistic shift during this era.
Inside Gatefold of Metallica – Load (2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
This inner gatefold spread features a mix of color and black-and-white photographs of the band in candid, staged, and live settings. Eight images are positioned across the layout: some depict band members outdoors, others in urban or studio environments. Notable is a striking close-up of Lars Ulrich with a wide grin and a separate shot of James Hetfield standing under neon lights.
Centered in the composition is the full list of production credits in white text, detailing recording locations (The Plant Studios, Right Track), producers (Bob Rock, Hetfield, Ulrich), engineers, and mastering by George Marino. The band’s lineup—James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Jason Newsted—is listed prominently in bold.
The background is a pale gray with large, diffuse shadows of the band members cast across it, adding depth and emphasizing the visual identity of the Load era. This presentation combines raw personality with professional studio context.
Inside Right Panel of Metallica – Load (2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
This side of the gatefold presents the full album tracklisting at the center, laid out by side numbers and aligned vertically in clean black uppercase font. Surrounding the list are various photographs of the band members in both black-and-white and color.
The background features large, soft-edged silhouette shadows of the band, adding a dramatic layer of visual texture. To the upper right is a posed portrait of Jason Newsted in a leather jacket with arms raised. Other images include candid band moments, studio shots, and blue-toned portraits showing members joking and interacting casually.
This panel complements the left interior spread by shifting the visual focus from credits to the album's sonic content while continuing the personal and stylized aesthetic that defined the Load era.
Custom Inner Sleeve – Metallica Load (Side Three Lyrics Sheet)
This visually dynamic inner sleeve features handwritten lyrics from four tracks on Side Three of the album: Poor Twisted Me, Cure, Wasting My Hate, and Mama Said. The background is a clean off-white canvas, overlaid with chaotic, inky black splotches reminiscent of Rorschach test blots.
Interspersed between the lyrics are expressive black-and-white and color photos of the band. Highlights include candid shots of Lars Ulrich in a white tank top, the band in studio settings, street photography, and group portraits. Each song's title is integrated into the design with raw handwritten lettering and ink splatter motifs enhancing the emotional intensity of the lyrics.
The layout exemplifies the introspective and experimental tone of the "Load" era, combining visual grit with personal vulnerability.
Custom Inner Sleeve – Metallica Load (Side Four Lyrics Sheet)
This inner sleeve page showcases lyrics for the final three tracks of the album—Thorn Within, Ronnie, and The Outlaw Torn—handwritten across a pale background marred with expressive black ink blot patterns. The visual motif continues the album’s raw, introspective tone, blurring the boundary between typography and art.
Scattered among the lyrics are gritty black-and-white and desaturated photos capturing the band in relaxed, candid moments: lounging in studios, on urban streets, and during downtime. There's also a surreal image of a man raising his arm in defiance, as well as a portrait of a band member wrapped in a fur-lined coat.
The powerful closing line from “The Outlaw Torn” is scrawled across the lower center, echoing the emotional climax of the album. The layout closes the inner sleeve artwork with a mix of melancholy, confrontation, and artistic cohesion.
Custom Inner Sleeve – Metallica Load (Side One Lyrics Sheet)
This inner sleeve displays the handwritten lyrics of the first four tracks from the album—Ain't My Bitch, 2x4, The House Jack Built, and Until It Sleeps. Lyrics are scrawled in expressive black ink over a light grey background, accentuated by dynamic ink blot patterns that give the layout a raw, chaotic edge.
The design includes a collection of photographs showing the band in both color and monochrome, capturing moments ranging from contemplative to confrontational. Pictured are candid portraits, street scenes, and stylized shots of band members such as Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield, some in leather and sunglasses, exuding confidence and attitude.
This sleeve sets the tone for the album’s sonic shift with a visually aggressive yet introspective layout that mirrors the emotional complexity and stylistic departure of the "Load" era.
Custom Inner Sleeve – Metallica Load (Side Two Lyrics Sheet)
This inner sleeve page presents handwritten lyrics for King Nothing, Hero of the Day, and Bleeding Me, scrawled in black ink across a minimalist pale background. Surrounding the lyrics are expressive black ink blots that accent the emotional intensity of the words.
The collage includes black-and-white and muted color photographs of the band members in the studio and during casual moments. Scenes depict the group working with instruments, recording gear, and relaxing during downtime. Notable images include a close-up of Lars Ulrich in dark glasses, James Hetfield seated confidently in suspenders, and Kirk Hammett at the mixing desk.
The sleeve visually bridges the introspection and craftsmanship that define Side Two of the album, portraying both the vulnerability of the lyrics and the behind-the-scenes intensity of the recording process.
Vinyl Record Label – Metallica Load (Side 1, 2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
This close-up photo shows the record label of Side 1 from the 180-gram audiophile pressing of Load. Dominating the design is the large, distressed-textured METALLICA logo spanning the top half of the label, with the album title LOAD printed in bold, blocky type below it.
The tracklisting is clearly listed with track titles, durations, and writing credits: “Ain’t My Bitch,” “2 x 4,” “The House Jack Built,” and “Until It Sleeps.” Additional text credits producers Bob Rock along with Hetfield & Ulrich. The Blackened Records logo appears at the top, along with format details: 33⅓ RPM, STEREO, and catalog number BLCKND011-1.
The background of the label is designed to resemble brushed metal or vinyl grooves, adding a subtle tactile aesthetic to the dark industrial feel of the record’s visual identity.
Vinyl Record Label – Metallica Load (Side 2, 2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
The Side 2 label of this 180-gram vinyl pressing features the iconic cracked METALLICA logo across the top and the album title LOAD just beneath, all over a textured dark background that mimics brushed metal or vinyl grooves.
Printed in clean white type below are the track titles with durations: King Nothing (5:28), Hero of the Day (4:22), and Bleeding Me (8:18). Songwriting credits list Hetfield, Ulrich, and Hammett across all tracks, with production attributed to Bob Rock in collaboration with Hetfield & Ulrich.
Catalog information (BLCKND011-1), copyright details for 1996 and 1997, licensing notes, and rights society codes (BIEM/SDRM) encircle the lower edge of the label. A centered spindle hole is surrounded by pressed groove rings, completing the classic audiophile presentation.
Vinyl Record Label – Metallica Load (Side 3, 2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
The label design for Side 3 of Metallica’s Load continues the consistent branding of the Blackened Records 2LP release. It features the prominent distressed METALLICA logo across the top, with LOAD centered below in bold chalk-style typography.
Listed beneath are the four tracks on Side 3: Cure (4:54), Poor Twisted Me (4:00), Wasting My Hate (3:57), and Mama Said (5:19). Each track is credited to Hetfield and Ulrich, with Hammett also credited on “Wasting My Hate.”
Production is again attributed to Bob Rock with Hetfield & Ulrich, and licensing/copyright information appears in fine print along the bottom edge. The background simulates the swirling grain of vinyl, reinforcing the analog, audiophile aesthetic of this high-fidelity pressing.
Vinyl Record Label – Metallica Load (Side 4, 2015 Blackened Records Reissue)
The final label of this double LP displays Side 4 of Load, framed by the consistent design motif of the reissue series: a brushed dark texture simulating vinyl grooves, topped with the iconic METALLICA logo in weathered lettering and the bold LOAD title centered below.
Featured are the last three tracks of the album: Thorn Within (5:51), Ronnie (5:17), and the extended closer The Outlaw Torn (9:52). Songwriting is attributed to Hetfield and Ulrich on all tracks, with Hammett also credited on the opening title.
The label includes the Blackened Records logo, catalog number BLCKND011-1, and licensing/copyright details circling the bottom edge. This final disc side underscores the record’s weighty emotional and sonic conclusion, preserving fidelity and packaging integrity for audiophile collectors.
This section shows the complete Metallica discography ordered by album-title. Several titles are International and have been listed with the country of release
This release on "Blackened Records" label, is the 2018 audiophile re-issue of ""...And Justice for All" the first album released by Metallica after the death of Cliff Burton. It is also the first album with Jason Newsted on Bass guitar.
- ..And Justice For All (Blackened Records) - ..And Justice for All (1988, Netherlands)
Creeping Death by the American Thrash Metal band "Metallica" is a 12" EP Vinyl record from 1984. Un-official versions from France (with different labels) have been released in the colors: Blue, Green, Red, White and Yellow Vinyl.
- Creeping Death Blue Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death Green Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death Red Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death White Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death Yellow Vinyl (1984, France)
This is the audiophile re-release of "Death Magnetic" the 2009 album released by the American Thrash Metal band "Metallica". This re-release comes in a gatefold album cover and two audiophile quality 180grams records.
Death Magnetic ( Blackened Records ) 12" Vinyl LP
Issued as a limited edition 12" vinyl LP, "Hamburg Colorline 12 May 2009" has become a coveted collector's item. Its raw, unfiltered energy transports listeners back to the heart of that explosive concert.
Hamburg Colorline 12" Vinyl LP
"Hardwired to Self Destruct" is the 2016 double album released by the American Speed / Thrash Metal band "Metallica". It was released 8 years after their previous album "Death Magnetic"
Hardwired to Self Destruct 12" Vinyl LP
The A-side explodes with the relentless energy of "Harvester of Sorrow." This track, a centerpiece of their landmark album "...And Justice For All," exemplifies Metallica's progressive thrash metal sound.
Harvester of Sorrow 12" Vinyl Single
"Jump in the Fire" is a single derived from Metallica's debut studio album, "Kill 'em All", released in 1983.
- Jump in the Fire (1983, England) - Jump in the Fire (1983, Holland)
The cover art for "Jump In The Fire" is as iconic as the track itself. Created by artist Les Edwards, the image features a demon-like creature surrounded by flames, inviting the listener to literally "jump in the fire."
Jump in the Fire 12" Shaped Picture Disc
Metallica’s Kill ’Em All is the explosive debut that defined thrash metal. Released in 1983, this 12” vinyl LP is raw, aggressive, and uncompromising, blending speed, power, and razor-sharp riffs. Featuring iconic tracks like ‘Seek & Destroy’ and ‘Whiplash,’ it captures the band’s youthful intensity, setting the stage for their legendary rise in the metal world.
- Kill 'Em All ( Blackened Records ) - Kill 'em All 2LP (1983, England) - Kill 'Em All (1983, France) - Kill 'Em All (1983, Holland) - Kill 'Em All (1983, UK)
Before the polished production of "Kill 'Em All," Metallica's sound was a volatile beast, unleashed in the cramped confines of a garage. "The Legendary Garage Tapes" serve as a time capsule, showcasing the thrash metal titans
Legendary Garage Tapes 12" Vinyl LP
This 500-copy limited edition is a treasure trove for devotees of Metallica's raw, uncompromising roots. The setlist reads like a greatest hits collection of their early years.
Live at the Playhouse Theatre 12" Vinyl LP
Metallica's "Load" is a sonic journey capturing the band's evolution. Released in 1996, the controversial album's vinyl edition enriches the listening experience, offering warmth and authenticity.
METALLICA - Load ( 2LP Blackened Records ) - Load (1996,E/M Ventures Elektra )
Metallica's 1986 album "Master of Puppets" stands as a towering achievement in heavy metal history. Its complex compositions, blistering aggression, and socially conscious themes cemented the band's reputation as leaders
- Master of Puppets (1986, Netherlands)
The METALLICA "Master of Puppets" 12" Vinyl Picture Disc, a 1986 UK 1st ISSUE with no barcode, is a rare gem for collectors. This limited edition features unique artwork on the vinyl picture disc, adding to its allure.
Master of Puppets 12" Vinyl Picture Disc
This the high-end audiophile release pressed on two 12" vinyl records each on 180 gram vinyl of the self-titled Metallica album and because of the black front and back cover, it is also known as "The Black Album".
METALLICA - Self-Titled The Black Album 12" Vinyl LP
Recorded at the Kopi Arena, this album transports listeners back in time to a pivotal moment in Metallica's career. The band was riding high on the success of their album *Death Magnetic*
Oberhausen Kopi Arena 12" Vinyl LP
Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" 12" Vinyl LP is a collector's gem. This iconic album marked a turning point in metal history, blending thrash metal and intricate compositions.
- Ride The Lightning (1984, England). - Ride the Lightning (Roadrunner, 1984, Holland) - Ride The Lightning (Vertigo, 1984, Netherlands) - Ride The Lightning (Blackened Records, 2006)
This is METALLICA's ninth album, recorded live with the San Francisco Symphony on April 21-22 of 1999. The set list contains songs from Ride the Lightning through ReLoad, as well as two new songs: "- Human" and "No Leaf Clover".
S&M 12" Vinyl LP
St. Anger is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on 5 June 2003. The album was originally to be released on June 10, 2003, but because of fears of extended music piracy over filesharing network
St. Anger 12" Vinyl LP
Following the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986, Metallica found themselves with a significant void to fill. With Newsted taking over bass duties, the band opted to record Garage Days
- The 5.98 EP Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987, Holland) - The 5.98 Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987, UK)
This limited edition album "Until It Sleeps" is the first single and the fourth song from Metallica's 1996 album Load. This version is pressed on Red Vinyl and comes in a transparent sleeve.
Until It Sleeps Red Vinyl (1996) 12" Vinyl LP