What original working title was considered for Metallica's self-titled 1991 album?
Answer
Married to Metal
“Married to Metal” was an original working title considered for Metallica's self-titled 1991 album.
The phrase was connected to the personal circumstances of several band members, including divorces involving Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and Jason Newsted. According to accounts of the album's development, it began as a running joke rather than a final branding plan.
Other possibilities were considered, including “Five” and the title of one of the album's songs. The band ultimately chose the simple eponymous title Metallica, keeping the focus on the group itself.
The familiar nickname The Black Album came later from the nearly black cover design. The cover featured a dark Metallica logo and a coiled snake derived from the Gadsden flag, both of which were difficult to see against the black background.