Metallica's 1991 album Metallica was the band's fifth studio album.
The sequence began with Kill 'Em All in 1983, followed by Ride the Lightning in 1984, Master of Puppets in 1986, and ...And Justice for All in 1988. Metallica came next in the studio-album chronology.
The album is often called The Black Album because of its nearly black cover and minimalist design. That nickname helps distinguish it from the band's name, but the official title is simply Metallica.
Its position in the discography is important because it followed four albums strongly associated with thrash metal. On the fifth record, the band retained its heavy identity while adopting slower tempos, broader arrangements, more prominent vocals, and a more accessible production style.