Metallica’s 1991 album, widely known as The Black Album, is officially titled Metallica.
The band chose the eponymous title after considering several alternatives. One proposed working title was Married to Metal, a joke connected with divorces involving Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Jason Newsted during the recording period. The group ultimately preferred a simple self-titled name.
The nickname The Black Album developed from the cover design. The band’s logo and the coiled snake derived from the Gadsden flag were embossed so subtly that they were difficult to see against the black background. Later editions used dark gray graphics that were more visible.
The title can cause confusion because Metallica had already released several famous albums with distinctive names, including Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All. In discographies and chart listings, however, the 1991 record is identified as Metallica.