On what date did Metallica’s self-titled album, known as The Black Album, come out?

Metallica’s self-titled album, known as The Black Album, was released on August 12, 1991.

The record was issued by Elektra Records and became Metallica’s fifth studio album. Its official title is simply Metallica, but its stark black cover led fans and the music press to call it The Black Album.

The album followed ...And Justice for All, released in 1988. It marked a major shift toward slower, heavier, and more polished songs, helping the band reach a much broader international audience.

The release date is sometimes confused with the dates of its singles. “Enter Sandman,” the lead single, arrived on July 29, 1991, before the full album. “Nothing Else Matters” followed as a single in 1992.