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Metallica’s Load Box Set Is Already Out—and It’s Huge

Metallica’s already-released Load deluxe box set gathers 301 tracks, including 245 unreleased recordings, plus live albums, video, a book and memorabilia.
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Metallica released the Load (Remastered) Deluxe Box Set on June 13, 2025. It is a substantial archive of the album era: the band counts 301 tracks, including 245 previously unreleased recordings, alongside six vinyl discs, 15 CDs, four DVDs, a 128-page book and memorabilia. The set revisits an album that sharply divided some listeners when Metallica moved away from its earlier thrash sound.

What’s in the Load deluxe box set?

Metallica’s official announcement describes a numbered set with 301 tracks, 245 of them unreleased. The package combines the remastered album with live performances, demos and rough mixes, video, and physical memorabilia.

  • Remastered Load on 180-gram double LP and CD
  • A “Mama Said” picture disc and three live LPs
  • 15 CDs and four DVDs
  • An MP3 download card
  • A 128-page hardcover book, tour laminates, a Lollapalooza poster, a Pushead patch, a Rolling Stone cover print, guitar and bass picks, Rorschach Test cards, and lyric materials

The three-LP live album is titled Loadapalooza ’96. Metallica says it was recorded at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on August 4, 1996. See the official announcement and the official product listing for the complete contents.

Why did Load upset some Metallica fans?

Load, released June 4, 1996, marked a conspicuous change from the thrash metal sound associated with Metallica’s earlier albums. A Louder retrospective characterizes Load and 1997’s ReLoad as a more mainstream turn, accompanied by a short-haired, eyeliner-wearing image. The shift baffled and angered a substantial part of the fanbase, though reactions were mixed rather than unanimous.

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#1 Best Overall
Load (Deluxe Box Set)
  • Format: Vinyl...
  • Format: Vinyl...
  • Released: 2025-06-13...
  • Genre: Rock...
  • Released: 2025-06-13...

The retrospective also notes that “Until It Sleeps” became Metallica’s first US Top 10 song and describes “Mama Said” as reflecting James Hetfield’s interest in country music. Those details help explain the album’s broader stylistic departure, but they do not mean every listener responded to it the same way.

Producer Bob Rock offered this account of the band’s approach: “They just do what they feel is right for them. They don’t take into account what people think. When they go in a direction and they make a commitment to doing something, they just do it. And they don’t hold back.” The quote appears in Louder’s retrospective.

Rank #2
Sale
ReLoad (Remastered Deluxe Box Set)
  • Remastered Deluxe Box Set (Limited Edition)Metallica is continuing to release remasters of their catalog, with the latest being the 4x-platinumReLoad, available everywhere on June 26th. Produced by Bob Rock,ReLoadis thefollow-up to 5x-platinumLoad.ReLoadcontainsfan favorites including “Fuel,” “TheMemory Remains,” and “The Unforgiven II.” Remastered by Reuben Cohen at LurssenMastering and overseen by executive producer Greg Fidelman.Limited edition deluxe numbered box set (with magnetic flap) ofReLoad(Remastered)includes the album remastered on 180-gram double LP and CD,The Memory Remains 7”,three live LPs, 15 CDs and four DVDs featurin

Which Load edition should you choose?

The deluxe box is designed for listeners who want an extensive archive and collectible items. Metallica also released more compact formats, so the choice depends on whether you want the album itself, an expanded audio edition, or the full collection.

Format What it includes
Standard editions 180-gram 2LP, CD, cassette, and digital; the digital release includes a Spatial Audio mix using Atmos
3CD Expanded Edition Three CDs of expanded album material
Deluxe box set Six vinyl discs, 15 CDs, four DVDs, 301 tracks in total, memorabilia, and a 128-page book

The extended version of “The Outlaw Torn,” which Metallica says was originally edited for CD time constraints, appears on the 2LP, 3CD Expanded Edition, and deluxe digital version. The remaster was completed by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, with Greg Fidelman overseeing it. Metallica’s format details are in its release announcement.

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Rank #3
Metallica Classic Albums 2-Pack 1996-1997: Load + Reload
  • Over 2.5 hours of Metallica!
  • Load produced by Bob Rock

Availability and current price

The official Metallica store displayed the deluxe box as in stock for $274.98 when checked on October 8, 2026. Price and stock are retailer information that can change; consult the official store listing for the current status. Rhino also lists the same deluxe set.

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ReLoad’s deluxe set has also arrived

The companion ReLoad (Remastered Deluxe Box Set) was released June 26, 2026, according to Metallica’s discography. The two deluxe sets therefore document both albums from the period, rather than announcing an upcoming Load release.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Load (Deluxe Box Set)
Load (Deluxe Box Set)
Format: Vinyl...; Format: Vinyl...; Released: 2025-06-13...; Genre: Rock...; Released: 2025-06-13...
$221.56
SaleBestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Metallica Classic Albums 2-Pack 1996-1997: Load + Reload
Metallica Classic Albums 2-Pack 1996-1997: Load + Reload
Over 2.5 hours of Metallica!; Load produced by Bob Rock
$32.95
SaleBestseller No. 4
Metallica
Metallica
Warner
$10.97
Rank #4
Sale

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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