Former Metallica producer Bob Rock is setting the record straight on one of the band’s most controversial eras. In a new interview on The Metallica Report, Rock looked back on the making of Load (1996) and Reload (1997), expressing pride in the sonic departure that sparked decades of fan debate.
“I don’t follow the rules of metal,” Rock admitted. “I’m a song person. It doesn’t matter how you style it—if it’s good, it’s good.”
After producing the mega-successful self-titled Black Album, Rock says he was excited to steer the band in a different direction. Fueled by drummer Lars Ulrich’s vision, Load embraced influences from classic rock, blues, and even alternative music. “Lars wanted to go beyond metal,” Rock recalled. “He was listening to Aerosmith, The Stones, Guns N’ Roses.”
One major shift was inviting guitarist Kirk Hammett to track rhythm parts alongside James Hetfield—previously a rare occurrence. That subtle change helped reshape Metallica’s sound entirely.
Despite fan backlash at the time, Load topped charts in 21 countries and went 5x Platinum in the U.S. Now, with remastered box sets and a 2026 European tour looming, Rock hopes listeners give that era a fresh spin.
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