Metallica is diving back into its late-’90s catalog with a newly remastered edition of ReLoad, arriving June 26 through Blackened Recordings. The release celebrates the album’s legacy ahead of its 30th anniversary and will be available in multiple formats, including vinyl, CD, cassette, digital, and a Dolby Atmos version.
Originally released on Nov. 18, 1997, ReLoad marked the band’s seventh studio effort and a companion to 1996’s Load, both drawn from the same recording sessions. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200—becoming the group’s third chart-topping release—and remained on the chart for nearly 80 weeks. It produced standout tracks like “The Memory Remains,” “The Unforgiven II” and “Fuel,” with several songs evolving into live staples over time.
The remastering was handled by Reuben Cohen, with longtime collaborator Greg Fidelman overseeing the project. To coincide with the announcement, the band has reintroduced “The Memory Remains,” originally featuring Marianne Faithfull, along with a newly unearthed live clip from 1997.
At the heart of the reissue is a comprehensive deluxe box set that captures the era in depth. It includes 15 CDs filled with the remastered album, demos, riff tapes, rough mixes, B-sides, rarities, and live recordings. Four accompanying DVDs offer a mix of behind-the-scenes footage, studio sessions, televised appearances, and concert material—including a memorable pop-up show at the CoreStates Complex Parking Lot in Philadelphia and international stops like Seoul. Collectors will also find a range of memorabilia inside, such as Rorschach test cards, a “Gimme Fuel” poster, stickers, guitar and bass picks, lyric sheets, tour laminates, and a 128-page hardcover book packed with rare photos and stories.
The reissue arrives as Metallica continues a busy touring schedule. The European leg of the M72 World Tour resumed May 9 in Athens, while a high-profile residency at Sphere in Las Vegas is set to launch Oct. 1.
Listen to ‘The Memory Remains (Remastered)’ – HERE.
To preorder ‘RELOAD (REMASTERED)’ head HERE.
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