in even more success. As of today "The Black Album" has sold over eighteen million copies worldwide and was still on the Billboard Top One Hundred five years after it was released. This album brought Metallica into what is commonly known as "super stardom." They were now being compared to the same bands they idolized a little more than a decade ago. After they finished touring to support this album they went on what seemed to be a three-year hiatus. It was not until nineteen ninety-six that they would resurface in the public's eyes. (Crocker 166-168)When Metallica decided to make their "return" there was something considerably different. The "headbanging boys from San Francisco" were now clean-cut and had a totally new sound to match. They had now strayed from the genre of heavy metal into what is now categorized as pop music. Many loyal fans seemed to be disgusted yet this did not reflect in their record sales. "Load" was released in nineteen ninety six and, although it did not get the same reception "The Black Album" had, it did fairly well sale-wise and eventually sold four million copies. The band then joined the bill on the alternative music festival "Lollapalooza." This was far from what they were used to doing but the band wanted to go through a change. (Fricke 33-37)After "Lollapalooza" and a tour of their own Metallica decided to go back to the studio and finish work on their seventh album. A little more than a year after the release of "Load" Metallica released the follow-up album entitled "Re-Load." This album had as much impact as "Load" but the general public was prepared and knew what to expect. "Load" and "Re-Load" are two albums that go together perfectly based on song structure and musical style. It is basically a softer approach to the type of music that Metallica has played their entire career. (Smith 44-45)Changes occur throughout one's life for various reasons. Whether they are for the better or fo...
