At which Los Angeles studio were the main recording sessions for Metallica’s The Black Album held?

The main recording sessions for Metallica’s The Black Album were held at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

Metallica began recording there in October 1990, working with producer Bob Rock. The studio was in North Hollywood and became the principal setting for the album’s demanding sessions. The band recorded for roughly eight months, with the process extending into 1991.

The production was not limited to one location. The group spent about a week at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, while final overdubs and mixing took place at A&M Studios in Hollywood. These locations are sometimes confused because all three appear in the album’s recording history.

Rock encouraged the musicians to play more as a unit and insisted on repeated takes to capture the desired performances. The resulting record had a heavier, clearer, and more spacious sound than Metallica’s previous albums, helping it reach a much broader audience.