Nearly three decades after its release, METALLICA's ReLoad is getting the deluxe treatment it arguably never received. Former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted has unboxed the remastered limited-edition deluxe box set of the 1997 album on video, ahead of its official release on June 26 via the band's own Blackened Recordings label.
The behemoth package is a collector's dream. It includes 15 CDs containing the remastered album alongside unreleased demos, rough mixes, rarities, and live recordings never previously released. Four DVDs bring behind-the-scenes footage, in-studio content, and vintage television appearances. Rounding out the set is a 128-page hardcover book featuring previously unpublished photographs from the ReLoad sessions.
For vinyl purists, the box set includes the remastered album on 180-gram double vinyl. Multiple standalone formats — standard vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital with Spatial Audio/Atmos mixing — are also available.
The remaster was handled by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering with Greg Fidelman overseeing the project. Originally released in November 1997, ReLoad debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spent nearly 80 weeks on the chart. Despite its commercial success, both Load and ReLoad remained divisive — yet this reissue campaign signals a proper reappraisal may finally be underway.
METALLICA is also launching the #GetTheReLoadOut fan cover competition — musicians and visual artists are invited to interpret album tracks, with autographed deluxe box sets awarded to winners.