Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album, 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 records established Metallica as one of the leading bands in thrash metal, while the self-titled album broadened the group’s sound and audience.
The record’s placement in the discography is sometimes obscured by its simple title. It is officially called Metallica, but fans commonly call it The Black Album because of its nearly black cover, the subtle band logo, and the faint image of a coiled snake. The nickname distinguishes it from the band and from other self-titled releases.
The album marked the first Metallica studio release with bassist Jason Newsted receiving full album participation after joining the band in 1986. It also began the group’s collaboration with producer Bob Rock, whose production became a defining part of the record’s sound.