What nickname did Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album acquire from its cover design?

Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album acquired the nickname The Black Album from its cover design.

The initial cover placed the band’s angled logo and a coiled snake against an almost black background. Both emblems were embossed so subtly that they were difficult to see, making the package look nearly plain black from a distance.

The snake was derived from the Gadsden flag, whose famous motto is “Don’t Tread on Me.” That phrase also became the title of one of the album’s songs, linking the packaging and track list.

The official title remains Metallica, not The Black Album. The nickname distinguishes it from other albums called “The Black Album,” including releases by Prince and The Damned. Later editions used dark gray emblems that stand out more clearly.