Metallica (Black Album) Metallica Released – 1991 by Mercury Records Track List 1. Enter Sandman 2. Sad But True 3. Holier Than Thou 4. The Unforgiven 5. Wherever I May Roam 6. Don’t Tread On Me 7. Through The Never 8. Nothing Else Matters 9. Of Wolf And Man 10. The God That Failed 11. My Friend of Misery 12. The Struggle Within

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This album got me through high school. I was a huge Metallica fan back then and although my interest in them is not as strong as it once was I still see this self titled effort, commonly known as the ‘Black Album’ as “the one” that propelled Metallica to the biggest band in the world alongside Guns N Roses. It’s a true classic.

For this album Metallica abandoned the 7 mins plus thrash metal formula and went with a shorter, more simpler style and groove without shutting out the past. Most of the tracks are around 4-5 mins long with a few exceptions and everything is tied together by legendary producer Bob Rock.

Originally the band just wanted Rock to mix the album as Lars went on record in saying that “Dr Feelgood was the best sounding album, not in songs but in sound” of 1989. Eventually they agreed to let him produce as well and the result is the best sounding album Metallica have ever recorded. The rhythm sections have a pounding energy and the riffs slice and dice. Tommy Lee’s drum sound on Motley’s 94 self titled album and Lars here are probably the best drum recordings I’ve ever heard.

It’s safe to say the ‘Black Album’ is Metallica’s ‘Hysteria’ with a string of hit singles albeit unintentionally compared to Def Leppard. ‘Enter Sandman’ ‘Sad But True’ ‘Nothing Else Matters’ ‘The Unforgiven’ (the original and best) and ‘Wherever I May Roam’ are all five star songs. Well written, fantastic rhythm and an attitude not to be messed with. But if those are five star songs then the rest of the tracks would have to be very close.

Metallica hit the jackpot on this one and it’s almost become somewhat of a curse as fans and critics have waited since for another ‘Black Album’. But the reality is all great bands have one defining album (two if they’re very lucky) and this is it for Metallica. One of the all time greats and probably one of the last great albums from the renaissance of heavy metal through the 70s to the early 90s.

Visit: www.metallica.com – www.myspace.com/metallica

Dirty Rock review by ‘Jonni Starr’ 2008

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