What is Metallica's 1991 fifth studio album commonly nicknamed?

Metallica's 1991 self-titled album is commonly nicknamed The Black Album. The name comes from its stark, nearly black cover, which shows the band's logo and a coiled snake in a subtle gray outline.

The official title is simply Metallica, making it unusual among the band's major studio releases. Fans and journalists adopted The Black Album to distinguish it from the band itself and from other albums with self-titled names.

Released after ...And Justice for All, the record marked a move toward slower, heavier, and more polished songs. Its accessible sound helped Metallica reach a much larger worldwide audience while retaining the band's heavy-metal identity.

The album became Metallica's best-selling release and was certified 2× Diamond in the United States in 2025. Its nickname is therefore a useful way to identify the album without confusing it with the group.