Metallica (The Black Album) — Metallica

Released on August 12, 1991, Metallica’s self-titled fifth studio album—universally known as The Black Album—is the record that shattered thrash metal's glass ceiling and turned the band into global icons. Teaming up with producer Bob Rock, Metallica intentionally stripped away the dizzying, hyper-fast arrangements of their previous work to focus on massive, slow-churning, and undeniable grooves.

The gamble paid off spectacularly. Driven by the nightmare-fueled main riff of "Enter Sandman," the cinematic despair of "The Unforgiven," and the massive stadium-scale intimacy of "Nothing Else Matters," the album spent hundreds of weeks on the Billboard charts. It remains one of the highest-selling physical albums of the modern era and an essential cornerstone for any serious rock or metal collection.

Pressing Details & Visuals

• 30th Anniversary Remaster: Sourced from the original analog master tapes for maximum sonic punch and depth.

• Premium Weight: Pressed on 2x 180g black vinyl for reduced surface noise and long-term durability.

• Widespine Jacket: Features premium spot-gloss varnish layout matching the legendary original "all-black" visual presentation.

• Includes a double-sided 12-inch insert with complete lyrics and liner notes.

Collector's Note: This 2021 European reissue was pressed via Blackened Recordings to celebrate three decades of the album's reign. Bob Rock famously mixed the bass lines significantly higher for this master compared to previous records, giving your turntable's low-end a massive workout.

Tracklist

• Side A: Enter Sandman | Sad But True | Holier Than Thou

• Side B: The Unforgiven | Wherever I May Roam | Don't Tread On Me

• Side C: Through The Never | Nothing Else Matters | Of Wolf And Man

• Side D: The God That Failed | My Friend Of Misery | The Struggle Within

Technical Specifications