"Metallica," commonly known as "The Black Album," is a seminal release in the heavy metal genre. Released on August 12, 1991, it marked a significant shift in Metallica's sound from their thrash metal roots to a slower, more polished heavy metal style. Produced by Bob Rock, the album’s creation was a challenging process for the band, but it resulted in a groundbreaking and influential record.
The album features some of Metallica's most iconic tracks, including "Enter Sandman," "The Unforgiven," "Nothing Else Matters," "Wherever I May Roam," and "Sad but True." These singles played a crucial role in the album's success and have remained staples in the band's live performances.
"Metallica" debuted at number one in ten countries and spent four consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200, becoming the band’s first album to achieve this. With over 30 million copies sold worldwide and more than 16 million in the United States alone, it stands as one of the best-selling albums of all time. It was certified 16× Platinum by the RIAA in 2012.
The album’s impact has been enduring, evidenced by its inclusion in Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list and its remarkable chart longevity. By December 2019, it had entered its 550th week on the Billboard 200, making it one of the longest-charting albums in history, behind only Pink Floyd’s "The Dark Side of the Moon."
The band celebrated the album's legacy with the 2012 European Black Album Tour, where they performed it in reverse order, offering fans a unique live experience.
