What is Metallica’s self-titled 1991 record commonly called?

Metallica’s self-titled 1991 record is commonly called The Black Album.

The nickname comes from the album’s stark artwork, which is almost entirely black and includes a dark outline of a coiled snake alongside the band’s logo. Its official title is simply Metallica, making the nickname useful for distinguishing it from the band itself.

The album became Metallica’s best-selling release and introduced the band to a much broader international audience. Compared with the more intricate thrash metal of its first four albums, the record used a slower, heavier, and more streamlined approach.

The nickname is not an alternate official title printed as the album’s main name. It is a popular shorthand used by fans, critics, retailers, and the band’s own anniversary campaigns. That distinction is a common source of confusion when discussing the record.