Theprp.com
Metallica is once again opening the vault, this time revisiting their 1997 album “ReLoad” with an extensive deluxe reissue that underscores the band’s frequent archival deep dives. Arriving June 26, the collection is a package featuring 15 CDs and four DVDs, packed with live recordings, demos, rough mixes and alternate takes that trace the album’s evolution in detail.
The reissue centers on “ReLoad,” Metallica’s seventh studio album. Released during a period when the band was actively reshaping its sound, the record leaned further into hard-rock and melodic experimentation, building on the stylistic shift introduced by 1996’s “Load.” At the time, critics noted frontman James Hetfield’s expanding vocal range, moving beyond his trademark aggression into more nuanced territory.
For collectors, the super deluxe box set offers a comprehensive look at that era, pairing the remastered album with previously unreleased material. Preorder customers will also gain early access to four distinct versions of “The Memory Remains,” including an instrumental mix, a raw studio take and a live recording captured in Brisbane, highlighting the track’s different forms across studio and stage.
Beyond the box set, the reissue will be available in multiple formats, including vinyl, CD, cassette and digital editions, as well as a condensed three-CD version for fans seeking a more streamlined experience.
To accompany the release, Metallica is launching a fan-driven campaign encouraging listeners and musicians to reinterpret songs from “ReLoad.” The initiative builds on a similar concept that the band previously rolled out for “Load,” reinforcing their ongoing effort to engage directly with their audience and recontextualize their catalog through community participation.
The announcement arrives amid a particularly active period for the band. Metallica is also preparing for a Las Vegas residency at the Sphere, where they’re set to perform an extended run of shows later this year.
Nearly three decades on, “ReLoad” remains one of Metallica’s more divisive releases, but with this deep-dive reissue, the band is betting that time, context and a trove of unreleased material might inspire a fresh reassessment.
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