Edited sentence: And if nothing else, the album was new and fresh.In the end, subjective musical tastes aside, it can at least be said that by objective measures Load is exceptional.Instrumental is, as can only be expected, top-notch, and further shows the thoughtful evolution from previous records that is the mark of musicians that have chosen not to stagnate.Regardless of how the new direction may strike each individual, Load was the work of a band that was still at the peak of their creative prime, and executed with the monumental skill and talent that long before it had come to define Metallica.Songwriting retains the intelligence, intricacy, and complexity of traditional Metallica.The core melodies retain their special soul.Vocal prowess, moreover, has by any measure grown and matured to a completely new level