How long is Metallica’s self-titled album, commonly called The Black Album, in its original edition?

Metallica’s self-titled album, commonly called The Black Album, has an original running time of 62 minutes and 40 seconds.

The original edition contains 12 songs, beginning with “Enter Sandman” and ending with “The Struggle Within.” Its length is notably substantial for a major-label heavy-metal album released in 1991, but the tracks vary considerably in scale, from compact songs to the nearly seven-minute “My Friend of Misery.”

The album’s extended playing time reflects the band’s shift toward more developed arrangements and a heavier, more controlled studio sound. Producer Bob Rock encouraged the musicians to record collaboratively and to pursue complete performances rather than assembling every part separately.

Different reissues can have different total durations because expanded editions add demos, live recordings, interviews, and other archival material. The 62:40 figure refers to the standard original album, not the 2021 expanded box set. That distinction explains why some streaming or deluxe-edition listings show a much longer total runtime.