What is the opening song on Metallica's 1991 album, The Black Album?

“Enter Sandman” is the opening song on Metallica's 1991 album, The Black Album.

The song begins with a clean, repeating guitar figure before expanding into one of the album’s most recognizable heavy riffs. Its lyrics draw on childhood nightmares and bedtime imagery, giving the track a dark variation on a traditional lullaby theme.

“Enter Sandman” was also the album’s lead single, released on July 29, 1991, before the full album. It became Metallica’s breakthrough song for many listeners and reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The track’s music video, directed by Wayne Isham, helped give the band major exposure on music television.

The song’s writing credits belong to Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, and Lars Ulrich, while Hetfield wrote the lyrics. Its position as both opener and lead single made it the album’s central introduction.