What is the opening track on Metallica’s self-titled album, The Black Album?

“Enter Sandman” is the opening track on Metallica’s self-titled album, The Black Album.

The song was also the album’s lead single, released on July 29, 1991, shortly before the album itself. Its lyrics draw on childhood nightmares and bedtime imagery, giving the heavy riff a familiar but unsettling theme.

Kirk Hammett wrote the initial guitar riff, while James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich helped shape the music and arrangement. Hetfield wrote the lyrics, which include references to a child’s prayer and frightening dreams. The song became one of the band’s signature recordings.

The music video was directed by Wayne Isham and premiered on July 30, 1991. It combined scenes of a child’s nightmares with footage of the band performing. At the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, the video won Best Hard Rock Video, further increasing the song’s visibility.