Metallica’s “Black Album” Took Them from Metal Heroes to Multiplatinum Rock Giants

35 years ago today, on August 12th, 1991, Metallica's "The Black Album" was released. The self-titled fifth studio album catapulted the thrash metal band into international rock superstardom. While some within the thrash community were disappointed by the band's shift towards mainstream success, the album's release marked a turning point in Metallica's career.

Prior to "The Black Album," Metallica had been relatively obscure, despite their popularity within the metal scene. They had released their self-titled debut LP in 1983, followed by "Ride the Lightning" in 1984 and "Master of Puppets" in 1986. However, their major breakthrough came with the release of "The Black Album" in 1991, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time.

The album's cover, primarily black with a snake coiled beneath the band's logo, was reminiscent of the fictional "Smell the Glove" LP referenced in the mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap." The album's sound was markedly different from their earlier works, with a more polished, multilayered production. Guitarist Kirk Hammett's iconic "Enter Sandman" riff was inspired by Soundgarden's album "Louder Than Love," while the band incorporated more ballads into the mix, with "The Unforgiven" and "Nothing Else Matters" standing out as standout tracks.

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and has since sold over 16 million copies in the United States alone, cementing Metallica's status as a multiplatinum rock giant.