Kev, I've experienced every Metallica album in real time, including Kill 'Em All.
Before I talk about Load, let me back up to The Black Album.
The Black Album was a huge disappointment at the time. I did not like the new direction at all. Sonically, it was amazing, but I just wasn't a fan. There were a handful of songs I really liked, but it was just so different.
When Load came out, my two thoughts were:
1. They are continuing on with the change that started with The Black Album, and ,
2. Gee, the Black Album doesn't seem so bad now
I remember 2X4 being released before the album came out. It realty didn't do anything for me.
When I bought the album, the band photos jumped off the page. Sort of like seeing Queensryche on the RFO sleeve for the first time.
Ain't My Bitch starts off in rousing fashion. This is a great Metallica song.
The only other two songs I really liked, which weren't the usual Metallica style were Bleeding Me, and The Outlaw Torn, which I thought had a huge Sabbath influence. These are still the three standout tracks still today. The only other song that makes my Load/Reload Compilation EP is Wasting My Hate. I love the aggressiveness on this.
Until It Sleeps and Hero Of the Day have aged fairly well, but all in all, except for the songs I listed, it's pretty forgettable.
I respected what they were trying to do, because I feel it's a high quality album, even though it's not what I'm looking for from Metallica.
Ultimately, The Black Album has aged extremely well, and I love it now. Load...not so much.