"Metallica" was originally released on August 12, 1991 and is the fifth album by the US heavy metal band. It was nicknamed "The Black Album" due to its simple and almost completely black cover artwork.
The album comprises a total of twelve songs, which Metallica recorded together with Canadian producer Bob Rock at "One on One Recording" in Los Angeles, California. This collaboration was to mark a new chapter in their work. Instead of long, progressive songs, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and Jason Newsted now wrote shorter, simpler but catchier songs. These included the five singles "Enter Sandman", "The Unforgiven", "Nothing Else Matters", "Wherever I May Roam" and "Sad But True".