Metallica’s self-titled album won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1992.
The award recognized Metallica, the album commonly called The Black Album. It was presented at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards, making the record one of the defining metal releases recognized by the Recording Academy at the start of the 1990s.
The victory followed earlier controversy involving Metallica. The band had been expected by many observers to win the 1989 award for ...And Justice for All, but Jethro Tull received it instead. Metallica later won the 1990 award for “One” and the 1991 award for its cover of “Stone Cold Crazy.”
Because the 1992 award was given for the album rather than for one individual song, it is often confused with “Enter Sandman,” which received separate Grammy attention as a nominated song. The Black Album’s win extended Metallica’s early run of success in the metal category.