Metallica’s 1991 self-titled record, commonly called The Black Album, is the band’s fifth studio album.
It followed Kill ’Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and ...And Justice for All. Those four earlier releases established Metallica as one of the leading bands in thrash metal before the self-titled album broadened its musical and commercial profile.
The album’s official title is simply Metallica, but its nearly black cover and minimalist design led fans and media to call it The Black Album. That nickname distinguishes it from the band’s name and is not an additional official title.
The record retained heavy guitars and forceful rhythms while using slower tempos, more spacious arrangements, and more accessible song structures than much of Metallica’s earlier work. Its success made the fifth album a major crossover moment, while still keeping the band firmly within heavy metal.