Metallica's 1991 album was officially titled Metallica, despite its nickname The Black Album.
The title is eponymous, meaning it uses the band's own name. Metallica had considered other options, including “Married to Metal,” “Five,” and the title of one of the songs, but decided that a simple self-titled presentation best suited the record.
The nickname The Black Album arose from the packaging rather than from the official title. The original cover was almost entirely black, with the band's logo and a coiled snake embossed so subtly that both emblems could be difficult to see. Later editions made the dark gray marks more visible.
The title can also be confused with The Beatles, whose 1968 self-titled album is commonly called the White Album because of its cover. Metallica's self-titled release became the band's fifth studio album and marked a move toward a slower, heavier, more polished style. It was released by Elektra Records on August 12, 1991.