What number single was The Unforgiven from Metallica's The Black Album?

“The Unforgiven” was the second single from Metallica's The Black Album.

The single was released on October 28, 1991, following “Enter Sandman,” which had introduced the album in July. Its darker, more atmospheric arrangement contrasted with the driving lead single while still fitting the album's controlled and weighty production.

The song became the first installment of a recurring Metallica series. “The Unforgiven II” appeared on 1997's Reload, and “The Unforgiven III” appeared on 2008's Death Magnetic. Those later titles created a trilogy connected by name and theme, although they are separate compositions.

A music video directed by Matt Mahurin premiered in November 1991. It used a stark black-and-white story about captivity, aging, and freedom, giving the single a visual identity distinct from the performance-focused imagery commonly associated with heavy metal.