A snake appears in the dark cover artwork of Metallica’s 1991 album.
The cover shows the band’s angled logo in the upper-left area and a coiled snake in the lower-right. On the original release, both elements were embossed so subtly that they were difficult to see against the black background. This design gave the album its enduring nickname, The Black Album.
The snake was derived from the Gadsden flag, an American historical flag featuring a rattlesnake and the motto “Don’t Tread on Me.” That motto also became the title of a song on the album, creating a visual and lyrical connection between the packaging and the record’s contents.
Later editions used dark-gray versions of the logo and snake, making them more visible while preserving the minimalist concept. The cover is sometimes compared with other black rock-album designs, but Metallica’s artwork is specifically identified by its barely visible logo and coiled snake. The image remains one of the most recognizable covers in heavy metal.