What symbol appears on the lower-right of Metallica's The Black Album cover?
Answer
A coiled snake
A coiled snake appears on the lower-right of Metallica's The Black Album cover.
The snake is derived from the Gadsden flag, an American historical flag associated with the motto “Don't Tread on Me.” The album also places the Metallica logo at an angle in the upper-left corner.
On the original release, both the logo and snake were embossed so subtly that they nearly disappeared into the black background. That understated design helped give the self-titled album its enduring nickname, The Black Album.
The snake also connects the packaging to the track “Don't Tread on Me,” whose title repeats the Gadsden flag's famous motto. Later editions use dark-gray emblems that are easier to see than those on the initial pressing.