Metallica's 'Black Album' - 8 Facts Only Superfans Know

Metallica's iconic Black Album turns 30 today. Here are some facts you may not know about the record.



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[Omar_E]

Haters will hate, but this album will still kick ass.

[arcaine]

6: Nothing Else Matters almost wasn't included because James was embarrassed to show the rest of the band as it was about a girl. He eventually played the song for Lars who loved it and made him show the rest of the guys and then they included it.

This is straight from a Howard Stern interview with the guys where Howard then jokingly tells James that he unknowingly wrote the song about his love for his brother, Lars.

[kingzuna]

This album blew Metallica into super stardom I appreciate it and I’m glad that it was it exist. Love it or hate it, it’s the reason that 75% of the world knows the name “Metallica”

[johnr]

My top five favorite tracks:
1. The Unforgiven
2. The God That Failed
3. My Friend of Misery
4. Wherever I May Roam
5. Don't Tread on Me

[hanslunatic]

first time i see a person talking in loudwire

[der_jannik_]

Damn shame they didn’t leave My Friend Of Misery as an instrumental

[anjoLas]

Two things you need to clarify better, Loudwire:

1- Nothing Else Matters was "born" from a relationship between James and an ex-gf, once he was on the phone with her, on a tour, far from her and said "so close no matter how far..." and the rest is history.

2- It was LARS idea to include Nothing Else Matters on the album and NOBODY elses idea.

\m/

[JoeyCheex]

yes that is true about bob rock seeing the indian kid with the Metallica shirt but it was actually the nxt stop in his journey, at a petrol station going in to pay he heard One playing over the radio which was the final sign for him

[MIZORAM_mafaka_hnamte]

Megadeth '92 Countdown to Extinction is a response to the Black Album... the songs are radio friendly Metal songs

[NoobOnATele]

Not only did Bob Rock see the dude with a Metallica t-shirt, a Metallica song also randomly came on the radio a few miles down the road.

Which was, as the lady presented, a very rare scenario.

[michaelblody]

I saw the 'Black' album tour with G 'n R and MetallicA stole the show as always ! 🤘

[Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

Fact 9: Kirk Hammett was inspired by Soundgarden's _Louder than Love_ album's heaviness when he composed the "Enter Sandman" riff.

[yoiamhere]

Legendary fucking album! I love it so much!

[djjazzyjeff]

I'd consider myself a superfan, and I didn't know Lars was unfamiliar with the Sandman concept, but it makes sense.

[ellistheshredlord]

Wherever I may roam and unforgiven are my favorite songs on the album, black album is a bit overhated imo

[stevensrpmusic]

Holy shit! I remember when the Black Album came out. It was a huge chance that paid off for sure! Pissed off so many as well

[ericp]

They already were headlining stadiums with And Justice For All.

And only 10 radio stations prior to the Black album? I'm skeptical of that too because 'One' was a huge MTV video hit for them. I don't have stats, but I'm pretty sure 'One' was being played on the local rock station in the Midwest (which would mean it was probably not some exclusive thing). Hell... the local station had a listening party for the release of And Justice For All... the night it came out. They were already huge before Black came out. Black just took them to the "super" star level.

[lucasproctor]

Got this at midnight at Tower Records in Buena Park when it first dropped. Listened the hell out of it for 6 months. . . then not much since. Just never head the staying power of the RtL, MoP or AJFA. Even listen to some of the stuff on Load/Reload more frequently.

[sutiszorny]

Metallica's absolute peak. Hetfield's voice is brutal and melodic at the same time, the riffs are catchy, but heavy. The arrangement is on point, simplified, but not dumb music. 10/10.

[YavuzErol]

4) James Hetfield began writing more personal songs
Literally the last song on the previous album: Dyers Eve