Between which dates did Metallica record The Black Album?

Metallica recorded The Black Album between October 6, 1990, and June 16, 1991.

Those dates cover a prolonged studio process for an album whose songs had largely been written in mid-1990. The band worked mainly at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with a shorter session at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver and later work at A&M Studios in Hollywood.

The recording period was famously intense. Producer Bob Rock pressed the musicians to perform more collaboratively and demanded numerous takes when necessary. The band’s perfectionism, disagreements with Rock, and extensive editing contributed to the album’s lengthy production.

The dates can be confused with individual demos and single releases. For example, four demos were recorded on August 13, 1990, before the main album sessions began, and “Enter Sandman” was released on July 29, 1991. The album itself followed on August 12, 1991.