Vinyl pressings
by Metallica · 1996
Load was first pressed on vinyl in 1996. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1996, the album's first year, in 2 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
STE-61923-A1 STERLING [SRC logo]Side A runout
STE-61923-B1 [SRC logo] STERLINGSide B runout
STE-61923-C1 [SRC logo] STERLINGSide C runout
STE-61923-D1 STERLING [SRC logo]Side D runout
DFI 965 532777-1 A1Side A runout, etched
DFI 965 532777-1 B1Side B runout, etched
DFI 965 532778-1 A1Side C runout, etched
DFI 965 532778-1 BSide D runout, etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Argentina | Vertigo 532 618 - 1LP, Album, Picture Disc, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 1996 | Europe | Vertigo 532 618-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1996 | Europe | Vertigo 532 618-1LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1996 | Germany | Vertigo 532 618 - 1LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| 1996 | Germany | Vertigo 532618PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Picture disc |
| 1996 | US | Elektra 61923-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1997 | Europe | Not On Label (Metallica)LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Picture disc |
| 1997 | Europe | Not On Label (Metallica)LP, Picture Disc, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Picture disc | LP, Picture Disc, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Picture disc |
| 1997 | Zimbabwe | ZMC STAR 6259LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1997 | Zimbabwe | ZMC STAR 6259LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Europe | Vertigo 532 618-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Europe | Universal Music Group International 0600753286876LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2010 | Europe | Universal Music Group International 00 6007 532 869-0 612", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| 2010 | Europe | Universal Music Group International 0600753286876LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2010 | US | Warner Bros. Records 523503-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2010 | US | Warner Bros. Records 523504-112", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| 2010 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-523503LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2010 | US | Warner Bros. Records 523504-112", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Box Set · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Box Set · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Blackened BLCKND011-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Europe | Blackened BLCKND011-1 / Blackened 0600753286876LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2017 | US | Blackened 011-1LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Blackened BLCKND011-1WLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Blackened Recordings BLCKND011R-1WLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Blackened BLCKND011RD-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, DVD, DVD-Video, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, DVD, DVD-Video, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 2025 | Europe | Blackened BLCKND011R-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2025 | US | Blackened BLCKND011R-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2025 | US | Blackened BLCKND011RD-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, DVD, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, DVD, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 2025 | US | Blackened BLCKND011R-1WLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Metallica)LP, Album, Misprint, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Misprint, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
29 vinyl pressings of Load are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1996 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1996, in US, Europe. One of them is Elektra 61923-1, released June 4, 1996.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 61923-1, 532 618-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STE-61923-A1 STERLING [SRC logo] and STE-61923-B1 [SRC logo] STERLING. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
