Lars Ulrich: “‘Load’ and ‘Reload’ have turned into some sort of Metallica punching bag”
Most bands and musicians go through sonic shifts, whether to adapt to changing tastes or to develop their own artistic expression. However, whether they succeed with such a manoeuvre depends on the artist and their ability to venture in a new direction. Metallica transitioning into new territories was inevitable, but what perhaps Lars Ulrich didn’t anticipate was the harshness they would face in the aftermath.
It’s normal for bands to experience sudden downfalls, especially when it comes to the music. Not every album is going to be a hitmaker, and while some struggle to accept that, others embrace the flow of never knowing when their upward trajectory is going to take a hit. Fortunately for Metallica, they solidified their legacy early on, meaning any mishaps after the fact likely wouldn’t hinder their reputation too much.
Still, when Metallica did pivot somewhat, it wasn’t just a musical choice. They adopted different appearances and presented themselves with a completely new demeanour to pander more to the hair metal movement, which not only stood against who they were as musicians but made them seem completely out of place in the broader rock scene.
This coalesced with the release of Load and Reload, which signalled a change in Metallica’s story in more ways than one. For starters, many took issue with the sound, hoping for more of a nod to their earlier thrash metal sound without sounding too much like they were trying to reinvent what had already been done. On top of this, they showed a side to them that suggested they weren’t defiant in the face of change, utilising slower tempos and alternative rock tricks that, in places, didn’t sound like Metallica at all.
Despite understanding the reasons why fans didn’t like the records, Ulrich also feels they were treated a little too harshly, with some dismissing every song entirely with a stubbornness that refused to acknowledge the moments when their true artistry did shine through. While he likely would have made some different decisions in hindsight, he remains steadfast in his view that both albums are treated as a “punching bag”.
“I do remember that as the Load album cycle continued, I had more and more people coming up to me and saying that they never gave the album a chance because of how it was presented to them,” Ulrich said, referring to their appearances and how it altered others’ perception of them at the time. “That makes me wonder how Load would have gone across had we not done the hair thing, not done the make-up thing and had the album in Pushead artwork,” he continued.
He added: “I still feel like that now even though Load and Reload have turned into some sort of Metallica punching bag for the fans. The hair, the pictures, the blues riffs, the country influences it was all what we wanted to do … so [laughs] fuck you!”
Still, with albums like Master of Puppets, The Black Album, and …And Justice For All under their belt, fans would have always been waiting for another typical Metallica-esque record, making the stylistic departure of Load and Reload feel even more jarring along with any other attempts to reinvent their music to stay fresh and relevant.
