On what date was Metallica's self-titled album released in the United States?

Metallica's self-titled album was released in the United States on August 12, 1991.

The record became widely known as The Black Album because of its nearly black cover and minimalist design. It followed ...And Justice for All and represented a major shift toward shorter, slower, more spacious songs without abandoning the band's heavy sound.

The album was issued by Elektra Records and quickly became a major commercial success. Its release began a new phase in Metallica's career, bringing the band a much broader international audience. The title can cause confusion because “Metallica” is both the band's name and the album's official title.

The album's release date is also sometimes confused with dates listed for other countries or later reissues. International editions appeared around the same period, while anniversary editions, including expanded versions, were released decades later. The original 1991 American release remains the standard reference point for the album's 35th anniversary in 2026.