Recording began in October 1990 for Metallica’s album commonly called The Black Album.
The main sessions started at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. The recording period ultimately lasted about eight months, with the album’s listed sessions running from October 6, 1990, to June 16, 1991. The band also used Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver and A&M Studios in Hollywood during the broader production process.
Before the main sessions, Metallica had developed demos for several songs, including “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Wherever I May Roam.” These early recordings helped establish the album’s direction before the band entered the studio for the full production.
The sessions were challenging because Bob Rock pushed the musicians toward different working methods. He encouraged more live band interaction, more takes, and a carefully shaped final sound. The resulting album was released in August 1991, less than a year after recording began, and became one of the most successful heavy-metal albums ever made.