Metallica's 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album, is officially titled Metallica.
The title is simply the band's own name, so the record is a self-titled album. Fans and journalists adopted The Black Album as an informal name because of its predominantly black artwork and restrained design. That nickname distinguishes it from the band while also emphasizing its visual identity.
Metallica is the group's fifth studio album, following Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and ...And Justice for All. It was released after a period in which the band had become known for technically demanding thrash metal and long, complex arrangements.
The self-titled record introduced a more accessible sound without abandoning heavy guitars or aggressive performances. Songs such as “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” and “Nothing Else Matters” helped make the album a global breakthrough. A common mix-up is treating The Black Album as the official title; it is a widely used nickname, not the name printed as the album title.