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Metallica's album Load, as revealed by producer Bob Rock, marked a shift in the musical collaboration between James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, a change that, according to some, has been met with controversy

Shift in inspirations, adaptation in manufacturing techniques, and departure from thrash metal inspired the duo to alter their collaborative approach.

,   and  ASMedia
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Metallica's collaborative rhythm playing between Kirk and James, as outlined by Bob Rock,...
Metallica's collaborative rhythm playing between Kirk and James, as outlined by Bob Rock, significantly altered the Hetfield-Hammett guitar relationship, a shift that has been met with controversy.

Metallica's album Load, as revealed by producer Bob Rock, marked a shift in the musical collaboration between James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, a change that, according to some, has been met with controversy

Metallica, the iconic heavy metal band, underwent significant changes during the transition from their seminal Black Album (1991) to Load (1996). These changes were not only sonic but also affected the roles of band members James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Jason Newsted.

Production Changes

The production of Load marked a departure from the thrash metal roots of Metallica. Producer Bob Rock, who had worked on both albums, introduced new production methods that moved away from the mechanical style of previous records produced by Flemming Rasmussen.

Load represented a shift to a lighter, more commercial, and sonically different sound. One of the key changes was the emphasis on recording live takes to capture a fuller, more dynamic sound. This approach allowed more flexibility in mixing and editing drums and other instruments[1][3].

Another significant change was the studio environment. Load was recorded in New York using different mixing consoles (SSL 9000 instead of the SSL 6000 used previously), which Bob Rock cited as contributing to the distinct sound of Load compared to Reload and the Black Album[3][4].

Effect on Band Members and Their Roles

Before Load, James Hetfield was responsible for all rhythm guitar parts while Kirk Hammett focused solely on lead guitar. On Load, this dynamic shifted, as Kirk began playing rhythm guitar parts along with James, reshaping their guitar interplay and partnership. This change was significant and somewhat controversial among fans but expanded their sound palette[1].

Bob Rock also noted that Jason Newsted, the bassist, was doing some things that did not work well for the band, implying that the bass role and perhaps his integration within the band dynamics were also affected during this era, although specifics on how his role changed are less detailed in the sources[5].

Hetfield and Hammett's tandem approach on Load was a key driver behind the band's change of colors. They aimed for a point-counterpoint vibe in their guitar playing, moving away from the Motörhead and Black Sabbath influences of the Black Album towards a sound more reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd[6].

The Result

The band's follow-up album, Load, was released in 1996 and offered a different sound. The production style for Load, under Bob Rock, involved recording live to get a good example of everything. This approach allowed for more flexibility in post-production, enabling the band to fine-tune their sound[2].

Metallica's sound in Load was less Motörhead and Black Sabbath, and more Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band aimed for different things in their guitar playing, focusing on more fucked-up chords and dissonant bits[7].

Overall, the production approach and new roles pushed Metallica toward experimentation, moving away from strict thrash metal to a broader rock approach that changed their identity musically and personally.

[1] "Metallica: Load (1996): The Making of a Classic Album." Ultimate Classic Rock, 24 Aug. 2016, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-making-of-classic-album/.

[2] "Metallica: Load (1996): The Making of a Classic Album." Ultimate Classic Rock, 24 Aug. 2016, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-making-of-classic-album/.

[3] "Metallica: Load (1996): The Making of a Classic Album." Ultimate Classic Rock, 24 Aug. 2016, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-making-of-classic-album/.

[4] "Metallica: Load (1996): The Making of a Classic Album." Ultimate Classic Rock, 24 Aug. 2016, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-making-of-classic-album/.

[5] "Metallica: Load (1996): The Making of a Classic Album." Ultimate Classic Rock, 24 Aug. 2016, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-making-of-classic-album/.

[6] "Metallica: Load (1996): The Making of a Classic Album." Ultimate Classic Rock, 24 Aug. 2016, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-making-of-classic-album/.

[7] "Metallica: Load (1996): The Making of a Classic Album." Ultimate Classic Rock, 24 Aug. 2016, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-load-making-of-classic-album/.

  1. Kirk Hammett started playing rhythm guitar parts alongside James Hetfield on Load, marking a shift in the guitar interplay and partnering within the band.
  2. The production of Load saw Metallica employing different guitars, such as Gibson, during recording sessions in New York, contributing to the album's distinct sound.
  3. Giving more flexibility to edit and mix instruments, the new approach to recording live takes on Load was one of the key production changes that set it apart from Metallica's previous albums.
  4. The change in roles and the new production methods on Load propelled Metallica towards experimentation and broadened their sound, taking them beyond strict thrash metal and into the realm of diverse entertainment that encompassed rock music.

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