On Metallica's The Black Album, what was the official release date?

Metallica's The Black Album was officially released on August 12, 1991.

The album is formally titled Metallica, but its nearly black artwork led fans and the music press to call it The Black Album. Elektra Records issued it during a major transition in the band's sound and commercial profile.

Its release followed recording sessions that began in October 1990 at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles. The band worked with producer Bob Rock, whose approach encouraged a more polished, spacious, and radio-ready production than on Metallica's earlier records.

The August 1991 release was a major turning point. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and became Metallica's first album to reach the top of that chart. It eventually became the band's best-selling studio album, making its 35th anniversary in 2026 a notable milestone.