METALLICA has officially announced the definitive reissue of its quadruple-platinum seventh studio album ReLoad, set for release on June 26 via the band’s own Blackened Recordings.
The newly remastered edition was handled by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, with longtime collaborator Greg Fidelman overseeing the process. A limited-edition deluxe box set is now available for pre-order, offering fans an expansive deep dive into the ReLoad era.
Fans who pre-order the deluxe edition will gain immediate access to several versions of “The Memory Remains,” including the newly remastered track, an “Instrumental Mix, Take 18 Floor Take,” and a live recording. Additionally, a live video of “The Memory Remains (Live in Philadelphia)” has been released to coincide with the announcement.
ReLoad (Remastered) will be available in multiple formats, including a standard 180g 2LP, a retailer-exclusive color 140g 2LP, CD, a 3CD expanded edition, cassette, and digital formats — including a Spatial Audio mix using Dolby Atmos. All pre-orders and pre-saves will include instant access to “The Memory Remains (Remastered).”
The centerpiece of the release is the limited-edition deluxe box set, a comprehensive and meticulously curated collection capturing Metallica’s 1997–1998 era. The set features the remastered album on 180g double vinyl, a “The Memory Remains” 7-inch, and Live At Ministry Of Sound ’97 on 140g triple vinyl.
In total, the box includes 15 CDs spanning everything from the remastered album to previously unreleased riffs, demos, rough mixes, B-sides, rarities, and extensive live recordings. Four DVDs add even more depth, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, in-studio sessions, live performances, television appearances, and special moments like the band’s pop-up show in a Philadelphia parking lot and visits to Seoul.
Collectors will also find a wealth of exclusive memorabilia, including a pack of 13 Rorschach test cards, an 11×17 “Gimme Fuel” poster, a sticker, a Pushead print, a set of guitar and bass picks, lyric sheets, laminated tour passes, and a deluxe 128-page book packed with rare photos and firsthand stories from those involved.
To celebrate the release, the band is also launching the #GetTheReLoadOut fan cover competition. Following last year’s successful #GetTheLoadOut campaign, this new edition expands participation to include not only musical covers but also visual and performance art inspired by the album. Each week, a different track from ReLoad will be highlighted, with two grand prize winners ultimately receiving an autographed deluxe box set.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.