On this day 28 years ago, Metallica released their self-titled, serpent covered album — better known by fans as The Black Album. The 1991 release was the band’s fifth studio album, and after much acclaim from both critics and fans alike, went on to sell more than 16 million copies worldwide and became the band’s best selling album to date. The 12-track release holds some of Metallica’s most iconic tracks, including “Nothing Else Matters,” “Enter Sandman,” and “The Unforgiven.”
The album debuted at number one in 10 countries and spent four consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard 200. By the fall of 2018, the album had spent 500 weeks (almost 10 years!) on the Billboard album chart — making it one of only four album’s in history to do so. Today, the album has gone on to earn 16x platinum status and Metallica has released 11 more studio albums while continuing to amass over 13 million monthly Spotify listeners.
The heavy metal rockers have yet to slow down and are currently on their summer world tour. Find tickets to a show near you here.
Listen to The Black Album
Strings
Guitarist Kirk Hammett relies on Ernie Ball Slinky RPS electric guitar strings while James Hetfield finds his sound within Power Slinkys.
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