Metallica's The Black Album celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026.
The album was released on August 12, 1991. Counting from 1991 to 2026 gives 35 years, making 2026 the appropriate anniversary year for the album's original release.
The record is officially titled Metallica, but fans and the music industry commonly call it The Black Album because of its minimalist, almost entirely black artwork. That nickname distinguishes it from the band's name and from other Metallica releases.
Its anniversary is tied to the original album's release, rather than to the dates of its singles, music videos, remastered editions, or the 2021 expanded box set. The album remains a major reference point in heavy metal history.